Chevrolet is giving its second most popular vehicle, the compact Equinox, a mid-cycle update. The SUV enters the 2022 model year wearing redesigned front and rear fascias, a more aggressive grille, and new LED headlights. Additionally, Chevy has added a new RS trim that gives the Equinox a sporty look which will start at $31,295 (including destination), according to dealer order guides.
The RS trim starts at $31,295 for a model with front-wheel drive. Over the new entry-level LS trim, which starts at $26,995 and represents a $2,000 increase over last year's starting price, the RS is an additional $4,300. If you want the RS trim with all-wheel drive, that model costs $32,895. The RS will slot in as one of the more expensive Equinox trims, sitting below the range-topping Premier that starts at $32,195.
On the outside, the all-new RS trim adds 19-inch wheels, black bow ties, black side rails, black badges, a gloss black grille. The interior receives black interior upholstery, an RS shift knob, and red stitching. So, from the initial list of features that Chevy put out, it looks like the RS trim is more of an appearance package for the SUV.
The RS trim will help the Equinox look more youthful and athletic, two things the SUV sorely needs as the compact vehicle has mostly gone unchanged since its debut in 2017. With consumers looking for sporty vehicles with black elements, we expect the Equinox RS to sell well. Unfortunately, we don’t expect the RS trim to come with any performance upgrades, as order guides reveal that all Equinox models will come with the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder as the current model. Without any large changes in the way the Equinox looks and drives, the new RS trim isn’t exactly a value-packed option.
Even if the RS trim isn’t worth the extra money, offering the Equinox in a sporty-looking trim will help Chevy be more competitive in the compact segment. The Equinox RS will compete against the Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line trims, Subaru Forester Sport, Kia Sportage SX Turbo, and Hyundai Tucson N Line. The majority of these options are appearance packages, so Chevy isn’t missing out by not offering any performance parts on the Equinox RS.
It’s tough to say how competitive the Equinox RS is in the class, because pricing for the 2022 Tiguan R-Line and 2022 Tucson N Line aren’t available yet. The Forester Sport starts at $30,445, 2021 Tiguan SE R-Line Black costs $31,790, and Sportage SX Turbo is priced at $34,925. The Sportage is the priciest of the bunch, because it has a 240-hp turbo engine, which makes it the most powerful one in the Sportage lineup.
The 2022 Equinox becomes the latest Chevrolet to benefit from the sporty RS treatment, as the Blazer, Traverse, and Malibu are all available in an RS trim.
2021 Chevy Equinox Gets Sportier Look, RS Trim Option
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