2015 Chevrolet Equinox: What's Changed

Most significant changes: 4G LTE and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot standard on all trims

Price change: $80 to $270 depending on the model

On sale: Since August

Which you should buy, 2014 or 2015? 2014

Chevrolet’s Equinox, a five-passenger crossover, heads into its sixth model year since its redesign with new features that none of its rivals, virtually all of which are newer, can match: 4G LTE high-speed connectivity through OnStar and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which can handle up to seven devices, as standard equipment on all trims. Three gigabytes of free data are provided for the hotspot’s first three months of usage, but after that it costs $5 to $50 per month based on usage.

Related: What’s the Most Affordable Compact SUV?

Not much else has changed for 2015, however. The Equinox remains one of the more popular five-seat crossovers, despite having the oldest design, with an appealing mix of room, fuel economy with the four-cylinder engine and reasonable prices for today’s market. The 60/40-split folding backseat slides nearly 8 inches and reclines to suit different-size passengers, plus there are numerous small storage cubbies.

Price changes vary by model, starting with an $80 increase for LS models and $85 for LT1 models. Base prices are $215 higher on the LT2 and $270 higher on the LTZ. Being the oldest model in a market segment is usually the kiss of death in the auto business, but the Equinox is up to date, if not a leader, in technology with the Chevrolet MyLink multimedia center (standard on the LT and LTZ), Siri Eyes Free, a variety of apps and the new Wi-Fi capability.

It’s also competitive in most other areas and certainly worth a look among smaller crossovers, such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4.

As of this writing there are more than 22,000 2014 Equinox models in Cars.com’s new-car inventory versus approximately 16,000 2015 models. Chevrolet is also offering incentives on the 2014s through September.

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