Which Chevy SUV is the Most Reliable? (Shocking!)

Chevy SUVs are easily some of the most versatile vehicles one can purchase. Whether it’s used for driving the kids to school or taking a group of friends camping, an SUV is the vehicle of choice. Because we put so much trust in Chevys, we need them to be reliable.

The Chevrolet Equinox is viewed as Chevy’s most reliable SUV. While older models received average reliability ratings, recently they have risen. The J.D. Power and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2020 Equinox a reliability rating of 87/100.

Buying a car is a significant investment. Unfortunately, if you purchase an unreliable vehicle, that investment is at risk. However, the Chevrolet Equinox is a reliable model that’s sure to impress anyone who drives it. Keep reading to learn about which Chevy SUV is the most reliable.

The Chevy Equinox: Reliability Ratings

SUVs are a popular choice for family vehicles and general transport cars. Unfortunately, consumers rarely consider SUVs to be a reliable type of vehicle. However, Chevy has released several SUVs that exceeded consumers’ expectations. To aid consumers in their search to find a reliable SUV, organizations such as J.D. Power and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) publish reliability and safety ratings for new vehicles. While some cars receive poor ratings, the Chevy Equinox does not.

Chevrolet is a company known for making and selling reliable vehicles. The Chevy Equinox and the Chevy Tahoe have become known as some of the most reliable vehicles on the road today.

What makes a car reliable? Factors of reliability include few mechanical problems, proper fuel consumption, and advanced safety features. A mechanic at Kolar Tire and Auto said he rarely works on Chevy Equinoxes in the shop. Thus, we can assume that they rarely experience major mechanical failures. Customer reviews support this assumption.

Owners of early-model Chevy Equinoxes have reported having problems with the engine. The most common issues included excessive oil consumption. According to Car Complaints, the Chevy Equinox’s worst model years were 2010-2013. However, since 2013 reports of problems with the Chevy Equinox have steadily declined.

As the vehicle problems declined, their reliability ratings increased as well. Repair Pal currently has the Equinox rated at 3.5 out of 5 stars in terms of reliability. However, this analysis includes all the previous model years, which could bring down the rating slightly. The Chevy Equinox’s annual repair fees are slightly above average for an SUV.

While Repair Pal rates the overall model as reliable, J.D. Power and the NHTSA regard the most recent models as exceptionally reliable. Even Bankrate ranked the vehicle as the fourth most reliable vehicle of 2021. It was the top-ranked SUV.

The 2021 and 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received an 85 out of 100 quality and reliability scores from J.D. Power. They derived this score from reviews from verified customers. In other words, 85 out of 100 Chevy Equinox owners believe this SUV is reliable. Meanwhile, the 2020 model received an 87 out of 100.

Another factor of a reliable vehicle is gas affordability. As gas prices rise, it becomes increasingly important for your vehicle to get good gas mileage. Luckily, the Chevy Equinox has received exceptional fuel ratings. According to Chevy, the 2021 Equinox gets 26 to 31 miles per gallon.

Safety Technology in the Chevy Equinox

Before you purchase a new vehicle, always check the safety ratings. A vehicle could be the most reliable model on the road, but this will not reduce its chances of being involved in an incident. In the unfortunate occurrence of your vehicle being in an accident, it should be equipped with the necessary features to protect you and your passengers.

The newest models of the Chevy Equinox feature several state-of-the-art safety technologies. These include a forward collision warning, a lane departure warning, and a crash imminent braking system. These safety features make the vehicle the perfect option for transporting your valuables and family.

Additionally, the Chevy Equinox is an excellent option for teen drivers. With collision warnings and automatic braking, you can rest assured that they are safe on the road. While a vehicle may have a variety of safety features, those features might not be effective. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association enforces standards of safety for vehicle manufacturers. Additionally, the NHTSA tests new vehicle models and rates the effectiveness of the vehicle’s safety technology.

After testing the 2021 Chevy Equinox, the NHTSA gave the vehicle a perfect overall safety rating. The 2020 Chevy Equinox received the same scores. With perfect safety ratings from the NHTSA, you can trust the safety technology in the Chevy Equinox to be reliable in the event of a crash.

Purchasing a brand new car can be expensive; however, when the higher price provides you with better reliability, it’s worth the expense. As we previously mentioned, the 2020 and 2021 Chevy Equinoxes received nearly identical ratings for safety and reliability, likely because the models are similar. The 2021 Chevy Equinox was not heavily modified from the 2020 version. To save yourself some money, opt for the 2020 Equinox. You will still receive state-of-the-art reliability and safety features.

Chevy’s Most Reliable SUV: The Runner Up

Although few SUVs are considered reliable vehicles, the Chevy Tahoe is considered one of the most reliable vehicles on the road.

The Chevy Tahoe has a unique, extra durable design. In general, most Tahoe models received few complaints from customers. However, if you’re purchasing a used Chevy Tahoe, avoid the years 2015 and 2007 as these reportedly have the most problems.

According to Car Complaints, most of the problems reported with these Tahoe models were related to the air conditioning, heating, and the engine. Luckily, avoiding these model years will drastically reduce the number of problems you encounter when using your Chevy Tahoe.

As a reliable vehicle, the Chevy Tahoe also maintains its value longer than most other vehicles. Having a vehicle with a high resale value is certainly a nice perk!

Similar to the Equinox, Chevy’s Tahoe received high safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. The NHTSA gave the 2021 Chevy Tahoe an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars. This model includes forward-collision warning, crash imminent braking, and dynamic brake support. You can upgrade the vehicle to include a lane departure warning as well.

In terms of reliability, overall Chevy is an excellent brand and their SUVs are no exception.