2023 Chevrolet Equinox Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons.

Regarding automobiles, the SUV has undoubtedly become the king of the road. Compact SUVs are particularly enticing, blending efficiency with practicality in a way that works for individual drivers and their families. They can handle daily trips to the store, dropping the kids off at school, and perhaps even light off-roading.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox is an enticing option in the compact SUV portion of the market. Beginning this year, it is making five more horsepower than before. There are also two brand-new appearance packages available for the base LS trim, giving drivers more opportunities to find an Equinox that matches their personal style. Both the Midnight and Sport Editions of the LS add blacked-out exterior elements for a more aggressive look.

As in years past, the new Equinox is available in four distinct trim levels. Unlike some vehicles, the price does not rise steeply as buyers go up the trim ladder. Still, it is important to know which trim level has all of the desired features to prevent overspending. In the following guide, differences between the 2023 Equinox trim levels are highlighted to make shopping for this Chevrolet SUV easier.

Compare the Equinox LS vs LT Trims. What is the difference?

Every 2023 Chevrolet Equinox uses the same type of engine to get moving. The turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder now makes 175 horsepower rather than 170. The torque remains at 203 lb-ft of torque, just like last year. Every 2023 Equinox is also equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The LS trim level comes standard with front-wheel drive but is available with all-wheel drive as well. Overall, this setup moves the Equinox around town without any issues.

One of the reasons that the 2023 Equinox will appeal to drivers in any of its trim levels is its efficiency. With front-wheel drive, this SUV is estimated to get 26mpg in the city along with 31mpg on the highway. An upgrade to all-wheel drive will mean getting 24mpg city and 30mpg highway.

Buyers find 17-inch aluminum wheels underneath the 2023 Equinox LS. Exterior highlights for this SUV include things like an acoustic laminated windshield and solar-absorbing glass. Heated and power-adjusting side mirrors are also included. Even more impressive are the LED headlights with an automatic on-and-off function.

The Sport Edition Package is only available on this LS trim. It has exterior style touches such as body-colored mirror caps, black bowtie emblems, and an aggressive black front grille. This package will also give the Equinox LS 18-inch black aluminum wheels to complete the look. The Midnight Edition Package has the same exterior features. What sets it apart is the fact that it is only available with Mosaic Black Metallic paint to give it that blacked-out look that drivers love.

Moving inside, the Equinox LS has four-way manually-adjustable driver and front passenger seats. There is cloth-trimmed upholstery and single-zone manual climate control. On the bright side, this SUV comes with keyless open and start for added convenience.

A 7-inch touchscreen is found inside the 2023 Equinox LS, giving drivers access to wireless versions of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are two USB ports and Bluetooth as well, plus satellite radio to be enjoyed on the six-speaker sound system. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot is also among the standard tech features for the 2023 Equinox LS.

Multiple safety features are included on all Equinox models, including handy items like a tire pressure monitoring system. Forward collision alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and a rear-seat reminder are all standard. There is also a lane-keeping system featuring lane departure warning.

The LS trim level is available with the LS Convenience Package. It bundles a power-adjustable driver's seat, rear privacy glass, and a larger driver information display. Another way that buyers can get these features is to step up to the LT trim level, where they are all considered standard.

No mechanical changes are made for the LT trim level or any trim that comes above it for that matter. The LT sticks with 17-inch aluminum wheels as well. Unlike the LS, however, the LT is available with 19-inch aluminum wheels as well. The LT is also available with a Blackout Package, which includes a black grille, black bowtie emblems, black mirror caps, and more.

The Equinox LT has deep-tinted rear glass. While not standard, this trim level does at least offer integrated turn signals for the side mirrors. It also can be equipped with a power programmable liftgate along with a panoramic power sunroof. The LT is available with the "Hit the Road" Package, which includes molded assist steps and roof-rack cross rails.

An eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat is a nice touch added by the LT trim level of the 2023 Equinox. Otherwise, most upgrades for the LT trim level have to be added through packages. The Confidence & Convenience Package includes heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a remote engine start.

The 2023 Equinox LT is also available with a Safety & Infotainment Package, which gives drivers an 8-inch touchscreen and two extra USB ports, bringing the total up to four. This package also has a heated steering wheel along with a 120-volt household-style power outlet.

There are no additional safety features added to the standard equipment list of the Equinox LT. That said, this is the first trim level available with front and rear park assist. It looks for obstacles when moving at low speeds, and this safety feature will apply the brakes when necessary to avoid a collision. For even more confidence at the wheel, drivers can add adaptive cruise control to the LT trim as well.

It will cost drivers just over $1,000 more to step up to the LT from the LS trim level. There are a few extra features that make this extra cost worthwhile. Perhaps more importantly, the LT opens up more package options to help drivers customize the Equinox to meet their needs.

Compare the Equinox LT vs RS Trim Levels. What is the difference?

The RS trim level starts out by adding the contents of the Confidence & Convenience Package that is available for the LT model. This means it gets to come standard with the dual-zone automatic climate control, remote engine start, heated front seats, and more. The interior of the RS trim level is also home to red accents to reflect its sportier nature.

Once again, the Equinox RS sticks with the same powertrain. It does, however, upgrade to 19-inch aluminum wheels. There are also black exterior details, such as the bowtie emblems. A programmable power liftgate and roof-mounted side rails become standard as well when buyers bring home the Equinox RS. While every 2023 Equinox has LED headlights, the RS trim level is the first to get LED taillamps as well.

The RS trim level has its own RS Leather Package for consideration. As one would expect, it includes black leather-appointed seating. It also upgrades the Equinox with a seven-speaker sound system from Bose. It also throws in a driver's seatback map pocket.

Front and rear park assist becomes standard for the Equinox RS. Otherwise, it has the same standard safety equipment as the trim levels that came before it. Adaptive cruise control remains available. Buyers will pay $3,000 more for the RS than they will for the LT. This is a bit steep, but it does give the Equinox desirable features such as heated front seats and automatic climate control.

Compare the Equinox RS vs Premier Trims. What is the difference?

The 2023 Equinox Premier sticks with the standard turbocharged 1.5L engine. It has 18-inch aluminum wheels underneath it. These wheels make a bigger impression than the standard 17-inch wheels while not negatively impacting the ride. That said, buyers can choose to upgrade the Premier model to 19-inch wheels.

Many enticing tech upgrades are found inside the Equinox Premier. This model comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, and it also benefits from a wireless charging pad and a 120-volt power outlet. Ambient interior lighting is also added, giving this version of the Equinox a more sophisticated look and feel.

Also helping to elevate the cabin of the Premier trim are features like leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel. Driver's seat memory settings are also included, which makes it easier to take turns at the wheel on road trips of any length. This top trim level comes with front and rear parking sensors. It is also the only version of the Equinox that comes standard with blind-spot monitoring as well as rear cross-traffic alert.

While the Premier trim may be the top model for the 2023 Equinox, it does not have all of the available bells and whistles on its standard feature list. This trim is available with the Confidence & Convenience Package II. By adding this package, buyers gain heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat. Additional safety features are gained through this package as well, including a surround-view camera system and popular adaptive cruise control.

Buyers who choose to add the Confidence & Convenience Package II can then decide to add the Infotainment II Package. It consists of navigation along with a seven-speaker premium sound setup from Bose.

Drivers can also choose to add an extra set of safety features to the Premier trim. Chevrolet bundles adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and an automated parking system into a package. This option saves money for those who want as many safety features as possible but do not need extras such as ventilated front seats.

The Premier model of the Equinox costs $1,100 more than the RS.

Final Thoughts

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox is a reasonably-priced compact SUV, and every trim level is decently equipped. Buyers are likely to be satisfied with the entry-level LS, thanks mostly to the standard safety and infotainment features. The fact that it has the same performance as the rest of the trim levels also adds to its appeal.

Still, stepping up to the LT trim level is worth the extra $1,000. In addition to giving the Equinox a power-adjustable driver's seat and rear privacy glass, this trim level can be equipped with more optional features. Buyers can pick and choose packages to end up with an SUV that has what they want at a price they are comfortable with.

The RS and Premier trim levels are both attractively designed. To most buyers, however, the features that they add will simply not justify the price tag.

Drivers will be happy with the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox LT in their driveway.

Previous Year Trim Configurations:

• 2022 Chevrolet Equinox Trim Levels