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2005
Chevrolet Equinox

Starts at:
$21,320
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New 2005 Chevrolet Equinox
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NHTSA tested vehicle score
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NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 4dr 2WD LS
    Starts at
    $21,320
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    1
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr 2WD LT
    Starts at
    $23,035
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    1
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    Front Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr AWD LS
    Starts at
    $23,295
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    1
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4dr AWD LT
    Starts at
    $24,660
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    1
    Seat capacity
    Gas V6
    Engine
    All Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox 2005 Chevrolet Equinox

Notable features

Largest vehicle in its class
FWD or AWD
Five-speed automatic
Passenger and cargo-area versatility
Variety of option choices

The good & the bad

The good

Interior space and versatility
Ride comfort
Automatic-transmission response
Availability of AWD

The bad

Mediocre handling
Engine noise
Unappealing cockpit layout
Visibility
Uncertain construction quality

Expert 2005 Chevrolet Equinox review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Warren Brown
Full article
our expert's take

A Station Wagon in Disguise

The auto industry could save itself marketing headaches and money by firmly embracing station wagons.

Consider the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. Although it is sold as a small SUV, it actually is nothing of the sort. That also can be said of Equinox rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Saturn VUE, Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty — all of which have abandoned body-on-frame, truck-based architecture in pursuit of ride and handling more akin to family wagons and sedans.

Like the Equinox, this week’s test vehicle, all have lighter, unitized construction in which the vehicle’s body, floor pan and chassis form a single rigid structure. Such design most often is used in cars. It is seldom used in full-size pickup trucks or SUVs.

Also, there is the matter of all-wheel drive, which the auto industry, for marketing purposes, deliberately confuses with four-wheel drive. The two are not one and the same.

In all-wheel drive, power is shifted from one wheel to another, most often through electronically controlled transfers, on the basis of algorithmic need — repetitively shifting power from slipping to gripping wheels, for example.

All-wheel drive is good for running through moderate snow, traversing rain-slick highways or rolling over gravel. But no one knowledgeable about driving off-road would dare take an all-wheel-drive vehicle, such as the Equinox or one of its rivals, on a trek over rocks and fallen logs, or across streams or through deep mud.

For that kind of travel, true four-wheel-drive transmissions are needed. Those transmissions have four-wheel low gears to help pull you through the mud and ease your ascents and descents on steep grades. They have locking differentials, thus guaranteeing that power flows to all four wheels simultaneously. They are dedicated, hard-knock, in-the-wild beasts of burden.

Equinox-type vehicles, by comparison, are city-suburban dwellers wearing cowboy and cowgirl outfits at a masquerade ball. Many look like rough, tough trucks. Indeed, Chevrolet seems to have gone out of its way to give the Equinox that persona. But that is just marketing imagery. It is based on the notion that you would smoke a Marlboro cigarette if you thought it manly enough, even though you could die just as quickly from smoking the Virginia Slims cigarettes marketed to women.

It is fundamentally silly stuff. The money and effort invested in selling what isn’t could be better used selling what is.

The Equinox — in base LS or upscale LT trim, in available front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive — is a station wagon; and it is a good, affordably priced, high-utility station wagon at that.

Despite its ruggedly styled exterior, the Equinox is no more aggressive than the mild-mannered Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, another good wagon/hatchback from General Motors Corp. The sedan-derived Malibu Maxx, for that matter, has a more powerful engine than the one installed in the Equinox — a 3.5-liter, 200-horsepower V-6 in the Malibu Maxx versus a standard-for-all-trim-levels 3.4-liter, 185-horsepower V-6 in the Equinox.

That is not to suggest that the Equinox has substandard performance on the highway, or in hauling duties. It is commendably capable in both areas. It accelerates with competence and handles well within the context of its tall body structure and high ground clearance (eight inches above ground for the front-wheel-drive models). It can be equipped to tow up to 3,500 pounds — at the expense of acceleration and handling. The Malibu Maxx, given its lower stance and different architecture, can be equipped to tow up to 1,000 pounds.

Purists would argue that a more sensible comparison would be between the Equinox and its designated market rivals — the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Saturn VUE, Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty. But that would be missing the point: All of hose ersatz compact SUVs are nothing more than station wagons. They should be compared with bona fide wagons such as the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 325i wagon, Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Ford Focus.

It’s a matter of marketing simplicity. The car-based, “compact SUV” and “crossover” and “sport wagon” and “touring” labeling — all nomenclature ruses designed to fool buyers into thinking they are getting something more exotic than a station wagon — is needlessly confusing.

It is past time to start calling these vehicles what they are — wagons. Buyers won’t care as long as they are attractive, affordable, useful wagons, of which the Equinox is one.

2005 Chevrolet Equinox review: Our expert's take
By Warren Brown

A Station Wagon in Disguise

The auto industry could save itself marketing headaches and money by firmly embracing station wagons.

Consider the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. Although it is sold as a small SUV, it actually is nothing of the sort. That also can be said of Equinox rivals such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Saturn VUE, Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty — all of which have abandoned body-on-frame, truck-based architecture in pursuit of ride and handling more akin to family wagons and sedans.

Like the Equinox, this week’s test vehicle, all have lighter, unitized construction in which the vehicle’s body, floor pan and chassis form a single rigid structure. Such design most often is used in cars. It is seldom used in full-size pickup trucks or SUVs.

Also, there is the matter of all-wheel drive, which the auto industry, for marketing purposes, deliberately confuses with four-wheel drive. The two are not one and the same.

In all-wheel drive, power is shifted from one wheel to another, most often through electronically controlled transfers, on the basis of algorithmic need — repetitively shifting power from slipping to gripping wheels, for example.

All-wheel drive is good for running through moderate snow, traversing rain-slick highways or rolling over gravel. But no one knowledgeable about driving off-road would dare take an all-wheel-drive vehicle, such as the Equinox or one of its rivals, on a trek over rocks and fallen logs, or across streams or through deep mud.

For that kind of travel, true four-wheel-drive transmissions are needed. Those transmissions have four-wheel low gears to help pull you through the mud and ease your ascents and descents on steep grades. They have locking differentials, thus guaranteeing that power flows to all four wheels simultaneously. They are dedicated, hard-knock, in-the-wild beasts of burden.

Equinox-type vehicles, by comparison, are city-suburban dwellers wearing cowboy and cowgirl outfits at a masquerade ball. Many look like rough, tough trucks. Indeed, Chevrolet seems to have gone out of its way to give the Equinox that persona. But that is just marketing imagery. It is based on the notion that you would smoke a Marlboro cigarette if you thought it manly enough, even though you could die just as quickly from smoking the Virginia Slims cigarettes marketed to women.

It is fundamentally silly stuff. The money and effort invested in selling what isn’t could be better used selling what is.

The Equinox — in base LS or upscale LT trim, in available front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive — is a station wagon; and it is a good, affordably priced, high-utility station wagon at that.

Despite its ruggedly styled exterior, the Equinox is no more aggressive than the mild-mannered Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, another good wagon/hatchback from General Motors Corp. The sedan-derived Malibu Maxx, for that matter, has a more powerful engine than the one installed in the Equinox — a 3.5-liter, 200-horsepower V-6 in the Malibu Maxx versus a standard-for-all-trim-levels 3.4-liter, 185-horsepower V-6 in the Equinox.

That is not to suggest that the Equinox has substandard performance on the highway, or in hauling duties. It is commendably capable in both areas. It accelerates with competence and handles well within the context of its tall body structure and high ground clearance (eight inches above ground for the front-wheel-drive models). It can be equipped to tow up to 3,500 pounds — at the expense of acceleration and handling. The Malibu Maxx, given its lower stance and different architecture, can be equipped to tow up to 1,000 pounds.

Purists would argue that a more sensible comparison would be between the Equinox and its designated market rivals — the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Saturn VUE, Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty. But that would be missing the point: All of hose ersatz compact SUVs are nothing more than station wagons. They should be compared with bona fide wagons such as the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 325i wagon, Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler PT Cruiser and Ford Focus.

It’s a matter of marketing simplicity. The car-based, “compact SUV” and “crossover” and “sport wagon” and “touring” labeling — all nomenclature ruses designed to fool buyers into thinking they are getting something more exotic than a station wagon — is needlessly confusing.

It is past time to start calling these vehicles what they are — wagons. Buyers won’t care as long as they are attractive, affordable, useful wagons, of which the Equinox is one.

Available cars near you

Safety review

Based on the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Frontal driver
5/5
Frontal passenger
5/5
Nhtsa rollover rating
4/5
Side driver
5/5
Side rear passenger
5/5

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
6 years / 100,000 miles
Powertrain
3 years / 36,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / up to 75,000 miles
Basic
12 months / 12,000 miles bumper-to-bumper original warranty, then may continue to 6 years / 100,000 miles limited (depending on variables)
Dealer certification
172-point inspection

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Consumer reviews

3.8 / 5
Based on 103 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 3.6
Performance 3.7
Value 3.7
Exterior 4.1
Reliability 3.7

Most recent

  • I am the original owner of a 2005 Equinox and still find

    I am the original owner of a 2005 Equinox and still find it to be a dependable automobile. Gasoline, oil and tires are all that's ever needed. It is garaged so the exterior as well as the interior is in excellent condition. It has 68,000 original miles on it due to having a second auto as well. I have no plans of selling it especially since I chose it over 3 others offered on a Dayton, Ohio radio contest.
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Bought a used elderly owned 05 Equinox for 2k with 166k

    Bought a used elderly owned 05 Equinox for 2k with 166k kms on it. Had a few minor fixes but since then it drives like a champ. Great solid first car and if i continue to maintain it and service it regularly this bad boy has alot of life left!
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Perfect Frist car/winterbeater for someone with 3K

    I bought a 05 Equniox and it’s actually pretty good!, and it drives as it should. I own a 05 LS with the 3.4 V6 I previously drove a 11 Equniox and it was good too, This 05 had 188km it drove pretty good for me I say yes to buying a Equniox form 05-09 especially if you are looking for a Frist car, but do you’re maintenance and it will last you like the Pontiac torrent!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Still have my '05...

    Right now, I still have one! Purchased in '07, as I needed a quick replacement. Dealer said it was a lease trade-in and it only had 19k miles on it. Did some suspension work, and recently had to redo the underside rocker panels; but otherwise the car is original! General Motors outdid themselves in quality with this particular vehicle.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    12 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • GREAT EXPERIENCE

    Great clean location, Andrew Fitzpatrick was very helpful and positive employee. Got in and out fast and would recommend to EVERYONE looking to buy a new or pre-owned vehicle. I was shocked I got such a great reliable car with NO ACCIDENTS and only one owner, please check them out! Car meets all my needs! No rust, dents or even a scratch!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    12 people out of 12 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • A good vehicle.

    Body still looks great on outside. Rides good. Seat are good and intacke. Motor sounds awesome. Had to put muffler on , it had rusted out. Has the most miles of any of our cars. Praying it keep on going.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    22 people out of 23 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great highway car.

    My Equinox is like an Impala with a giant trunk. It's comfortable on the highway and gets decent mileage. After a few years of driving her, the biggest problem I've had has been 2 bad ABS sensors.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 4.0
    19 people out of 19 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Horrible vehicle

    Overheating will be an issue. This year is the first year made and it has lots of issues. Buying used is already a risk but any company selling this is screwing you out of money.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    3 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Most newest car ive bought

    This car is worth the buy. It has plenty of leg room, has alot of space in the truck. This truck is very reliable for someone with teenagers.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • (used 116k m) mechanic has had it more than i.

    had to have the radiator flushed one week into owning it. had to rebuild the motor one month into owning it. have replaced part to fix heating issues, cooling issues, motor issues, so far my repairs have cost 10k. spent 5k for the car. if i wanted to spend 15k on a vehicle a xxx 2005 equinox IS NOT THE FREAKING CAR I CHOOSE!!! i will never own a chevy let alone an EQUINOX again in my life.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 1.0
    Reliability 1.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Do not buy this car!

    You will constantly be repairing this car. I have already put more money into this car than I paid for the car. You have a hard time starting the car. It also likes to put itself in limp home mode whenever he wants to. This car has caused me more stress. I can't afford another car. So I'm stuck fixing this piece of xxxx. I have dreams that I get rid of the car and I wake up very happy.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 1.0
    Interior 1.0
    Performance 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 1.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • I would take it anywhere....

    This thing was unbelievable in how it ran and you can fold the seats down and haul stuff if needed I would take anywhere ii
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    3 people out of 3 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?

The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is available in 2 trim levels:

  • LS (2 styles)
  • LT (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?

The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox offers up to 19 MPG in city driving and 25 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox?

The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox reliable?

The 2005 Chevrolet Equinox has an average reliability rating of 3.7 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2005 Chevrolet Equinox owners.

Is the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. 66.0% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

3.8 / 5
Based on 103 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.9
  • Interior: 3.6
  • Performance: 3.7
  • Value: 3.7
  • Exterior: 4.1
  • Reliability: 3.7

Chevrolet Equinox history

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