2024 Chevrolet Equinox RS Review: The Sporty Sweet Spot in a Crowded Segment
The 2024 Chevy Equinox RS brings sharp looks, solid tech, and a comfortable ride to the compact SUV segment — at a price that undercuts much of the competition.
The compact SUV segment is where the volume lives. Every brand wants a piece of it, and Chevrolet has been playing the game well with the Equinox — a vehicle that consistently ranks among the best-selling crossovers in the U.S. For 2024, the RS trim sits at the sweet spot of the lineup: more personality than the base LS, less price gravity than the fully-loaded Premier, and a look that stands out in a sea of forgettable soft-roaders.
What’s the RS, Exactly?
In Chevrolet’s trim hierarchy, RS stands for “Rugged Sport” — and the name delivers. Where the LS and LT trims lean toward chrome and低调, the RS goes dark. Gloss-black 19-inch aluminum wheels, a blacked-out grille with a black bowtie emblem, black window trim, and black roof rails give the Equinox RS a genuinely distinct personality. The RS badge sits proudly on the front grille and the tailgate.
It’s not a performance variant — there’s no extra horsepower under the hood — but the visual upgrades make the RS feel like a more considered purchase. You chose this because you wanted this, not because it was the only one on the lot.
Engine and Performance
Every 2024 Chevrolet Equinox is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission handles shifting, with power delivered to the front wheels as standard or to all four wheels via an optional switchable all-wheel-drive system.
Those numbers are modest in today’s context — rivals like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 have either matched or surpassed them — but the turbocharged nature of the Equinox’s engine means it pulls more eagerly than the raw horsepower figure suggests. The 203 lb-ft arrives early in the rev range, making the Equinox RS feel responsive around town and reasonably confident on the highway.
The six-speed automatic is smooth and unobtrusive. It doesn’t hunt for gears or exhibit the rubber-band behavior that CVTs can produce. If there’s a criticism, it’s that the transmission sometimes holds onto lower gears a beat too long when you’re asking for sudden power, but this is a minor quibble.
Fuel economy is a genuine strength. The EPA rates the front-wheel-drive Equinox RS at 26 mpg city and 31 mpg highway — numbers that hold up well in real-world driving. The all-wheel-drive model dips slightly, but remains competitive in the segment.
| Drivetrain | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| FWD | 26 | 31 | 28 |
| AWD | 25 | 30 | 27 |
Interior and Technology
Inside, the Equinox RS gets a clean, functional cabin that prioritizes ease of use over flash. The centerpiece is a 7-inch touchscreen (upgradeable to an 8-inch display with the Confidence and Convenience Package) running Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, which is exactly what buyers expect in 2024.
The interior layout is sensible. Physical buttons and knobs handle the climate controls — a relief when so many manufacturers have moved everything to the touchscreen. The RS adds a few niceties over the base LS, including an eight-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 120-volt household-style power outlet.
Second-row legroom is genuinely generous for the class. Adults over six feet will find adequate knee room, and the 60/40 split-folding rear bench slides fore and aft to prioritize passenger or cargo space as needed. Cargo volume measures 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with the second row folded flat — competitive with the best in the segment.
The RS interior gets Jet Black upholstery with Red accent stitching, which ties nicely to the exterior’s sporty theme. The sport seats are comfortable on longer drives without being aggressively bolstered, making them suitable for a wide range of body types.
Safety Features
Chevy Safety Assist comes standard on every 2024 Equinox, a six-feature suite that includes:
- Forward Collision Alert with Pedestrian Detection
- Automatic Emergency Braking
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- Following Distance Indicator
- IntelliBeam Auto High-Beam Assist
- Rear Vision Camera
Adaptive cruise control is available but bundled into an option package rather than standard — a mild disappointment at this price point, though competitors like Ford’s Co-Pilot360 similarly gate it behind packages.
The Equinox earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, providing solid peace of mind for family buyers.
Driving Impressions
The Equinox RS drives exactly like a modern compact SUV should — which is to say, it’s comfortable, predictable, and largely forgettable in a good way. The steering is light and reasonably direct, the suspension soaks up most road imperfections without drama, and the cabin stays composed on rough pavement.
Where it falls short of the segment’s best is driver engagement. The Mazda CX-30 and even the Hyundai Tucson offer more feedback through the steering wheel and slightly sharper handling dynamics. The Equinox RS is content to ferry you comfortably rather than invite you to enjoy the journey. That’s fine — this is a grocery-getter with ambition, not a sports sedan in SUV clothing.
On the highway, the Equinox RS settles into a quiet, relaxed cruise. Wind and road noise are well suppressed, and the engine stays unobtrusive at legal speeds. The brake pedal feel is solid and progressive, with good integration between regenerative-style engine braking and conventional friction brakes.
Pricing and Trims
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox lineup breaks down as follows:
| Trim | Starting MSRP | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| LS | $27,995 | Base features, 1.5T, 17" wheels |
| LT | $29,495 | Comfort upgrades, 18" wheels |
| [object Object] | [object Object] | [object Object] |
| Premier | $34,995 | Leather, advanced safety, premium audio |
The RS adds roughly $1,500 over the LT for the visual and interior upgrades, which feels like money well spent if aesthetics matter to you. At around $33,000–$36,000 as equipped — a typical transaction range for a loaded RS with a few options — it undercuts comparable rivals like the RAV4 XSE Hybrid and the CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid by a noticeable margin.
The Competition
The compact SUV class is brutal for a reason — almost every option is competent. Here’s how the Equinox RS stacks up:
| Feature | Chevy Equinox RS | Honda CR-V EX-L | Toyota RAV4 XSE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L Turbo, 175 hp | 1.5L Turbo, 190 hp | 2.5L Hybrid, 219 hp |
| MPG (FWD) | 28 combined | 30 combined | 41 combined |
| Cargo (cu ft) | 29.9 / 63.9 | 39.2 / 76.5 | 37.5 / 69.8 |
| Wireless CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Starting MSRP | ~$30,950 | ~$34,000 | ~$38,000 |
The Honda CR-V offers more rear seat legroom and a slightly more refined cabin, while the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid delivers meaningfully better fuel economy — especially in the Snow or Trail trims with AWD. The Equinox RS counters with a lower starting price, a distinctive sporty look, and competitive safety credentials.
The Verdict
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox RS is not the most powerful compact SUV, not the most efficient, and not the most engaging to drive. What it is: a well-rounded, competitively priced, and genuinely good-looking option in a segment full of bland appliances.
The RS trim is the one to pick. It adds personality without meaningfully adding cost, and the blacked-out exterior styling genuinely works — this is one of the better-looking mainstream compact SUVs on the road. The 1.5L turbo engine is adequate, the cabin is comfortable and well-equipped, and the cargo space is class-competitive.
If you need maximum efficiency, look at the RAV4 Hybrid or the CR-V hybrid. If you want the most driver engagement, the Mazda CX-5 or CX-50 are worth a drive. But if you want a balanced, attractively styled, well-priced compact SUV that does everything reasonably well — the Equinox RS deserves a spot on your short list.
Pros:
- RS styling is genuinely distinctive for the segment
- Competitive fuel economy at 28 combined mpg (FWD)
- Large cargo capacity at 63.9 cu ft with seats folded
- Lower starting price than most direct competitors
- Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Cons:
- Modest engine power compared to some rivals
- Rear seat doesn’t slide (unlike CR-V)
- Adaptive cruise control requires an options package
- No hybrid option available
Rating: 7.5/10
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox RS earns its recommendation. It’s not a segment leader in any single metric, but it leads in the one that matters most for most buyers: value, style, and all-around competence. At around $31,000 to start, it’s hard to argue against what you’re getting.
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