The Chevrolet Equinox, a popular compact SUV, underwent a redesign in 2018, making it smaller and lighter. This article delves into the safety performance of the 2021 Chevy Equinox, drawing upon crash test results and safety evaluations. Understanding these ratings is crucial for informed decisions when choosing a vehicle, especially for families prioritizing safety. We will explore various crash tests conducted on the Equinox, providing a detailed analysis of its safety strengths and weaknesses.
Small Overlap Front Crash Tests
Small overlap frontal crash tests simulate what happens when the corner of a vehicle collides with another vehicle or a narrow object like a tree or pole. These are considered challenging tests that assess how well a vehicle protects occupants in offset frontal impacts. The Chevy Equinox underwent both driver-side and passenger-side small overlap front tests.
Driver-Side Small Overlap Front
The driver-side small overlap front test of the 2021 Chevy Equinox, based on tests of the 2018 model year design applicable to 2021 models, resulted in a Good overall rating. This is the highest rating possible, indicating a strong performance in this demanding crash scenario.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The Equinox demonstrated Good performance across all driver injury measures and in structural integrity. This signifies that in a real-world driver-side small overlap frontal crash, a driver is likely to be well-protected.
Technical measurements from the driver-side test provide further detail:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTN1801 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 6 |
| Footrest (cm) | 5 |
| Left toepan (cm) | 4 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 5 |
| Parking brake (cm) | |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 1 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Steering column | 0 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 5 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 5 |
| Lower instrument panel (cm) | 5 |
These measurements indicate the extent of intrusion into the occupant compartment during the crash. Lower numbers generally signify better structural performance, and the Equinox shows minimal intrusion, contributing to its “Good” rating.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTN1801 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 86 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 8 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.17 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 22 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.7 |
| Right | 0.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.47 |
| Right | 0.51 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.2 |
| Right | 0.2 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 56 |
| Right | 43 |
The driver injury measures are all low, suggesting a low risk of significant injuries in a driver-side small overlap crash.
Passenger-Side Small Overlap Front
The passenger-side small overlap front test is equally important as it evaluates the protection offered to the front passenger. The 2021 Chevy Equinox also achieved a Good overall rating in this test, mirroring its driver-side performance.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | A |
| Passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | A |
| Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Hip/thigh | G |
| Lower leg/foot | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
While the structure and safety cage received an Acceptable rating, all passenger and driver injury measures were rated as Good, except for passenger lower leg/foot which was Acceptable. This indicates a slightly higher risk of lower leg injury for the passenger compared to other body regions, but overall good protection.
Technical measurements for the passenger-side test are as follows:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEP1811 |
| Lower occupant compartment | |
| Lower hinge pillar max (cm) | 11 |
| Footrest (cm) | 7 |
| Right toepan (cm) | 3 |
| Center toepan (cm) | 2 |
| Rocker panel lateral average (cm) | 2 |
| Upper occupant compartment | |
| Center dash (cm) | 6 |
| Upper hinge pillar max (cm) | 11 |
| Upper dash (cm) | 9 |
| Right lower dash (cm) | 11 |
Intrusion measurements are slightly higher on the passenger side compared to the driver side, which aligns with the “Acceptable” rating for structure.
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEP1811 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 109 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 16 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 16 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.0 |
| Right | 1.1 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 9 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.43 |
| Right | 0.82 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.8 |
| Right | 1.0 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 63 |
| Right | 41 |
Driver injury measures (Passenger Side Test)
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEP1811 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 90 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 14 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.16 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 28 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.2 |
| Right | 0.2 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.28 |
| Right | 0.19 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 0.2 |
| Right | 0.2 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 54 |
| Right | 42 |
Both passenger and driver injury measures remain low in the passenger-side test, reinforcing the overall safety performance in this scenario.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Tests
Moderate overlap frontal tests involve a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a barrier. These tests represent a significant portion of real-world frontal crashes. The Chevy Equinox was subjected to both original and updated moderate overlap front tests.
Original Moderate Overlap Front
The original moderate overlap front test, applicable to the 2018-24 models, resulted in a Good overall rating for the Chevy Equinox.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Leg/foot, left | G |
| Leg/foot, right | G |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
The Equinox again demonstrated Good performance across all criteria in the original moderate overlap test, indicating robust frontal crash protection.
Technical measurements for this test are as follows:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1801 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 5 |
| Left (cm) | 7 |
| Center (cm) | 7 |
| Right (cm) | 6 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 7 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 0 |
| Right (cm) | 0 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | -3 |
| Rearward (cm) | 1 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 1 |
Minimal intrusion is observed in the footwell and instrument panel areas, contributing to the high safety rating.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTF1801 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 163 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 4 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.20 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 25 |
| Legs | |
| Femur force – left (kN) | 1.0 |
| Femur force – right (kN) | 0.4 |
| Knee displacement – left (mm) | 0 |
| Knee displacement – right (mm) | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index – left | 0.34 |
| Maximum tibia index – right | 0.67 |
| Tibia axial force – left (kN) | 1.7 |
| Tibia axial force – right (kN) | 3.0 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 54 |
| Right | 81 |
Driver injury measures remain low, indicating effective occupant protection in this type of frontal crash.
Updated Moderate Overlap Front
The updated moderate overlap front test includes a rear passenger dummy to assess rear occupant protection, reflecting modern safety concerns. While the 2018-2024 Equinox performed well in the original test, the 2021-24 models received a Poor overall rating in the updated test.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | P |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Chest | G |
| Thigh/hip | G |
| Leg/foot | A |
| Driver restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | P |
| Chest | P |
| Thigh | G |
| Rear passenger restraints and dummy kinematics | G |
While driver injury measures remained Good or Acceptable, rear passenger injury measures for head/neck and chest were rated Poor. This downgrade in rating is primarily due to increased focus on rear passenger safety in the updated test protocol.
Technical measurements for the updated moderate overlap test highlight the rear passenger concerns:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF2116 |
| Footwell intrusion | |
| Footrest (cm) | 4 |
| Left (cm) | 6 |
| Center (cm) | 9 |
| Right (cm) | 8 |
| Brake pedal (cm) | 3 |
| Instrument panel rearward movement | |
| Left (cm) | 1 |
| Right (cm) | 1 |
| Steering column movement | |
| Upward (cm) | -3 |
| Rearward (cm) | -7 |
| A-pillar rearward movement (cm) | 0 |
Intrusion measurements are still relatively low, similar to the original test.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF2116 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 172 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension bending moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.27 |
| Chest maximum compression (mm) | 29 |
| Femur (kN) | |
| Left | 0.2 |
| Right | 0.2 |
| Knee displacement (mm) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%) | |
| Left | 0 |
| Right | 0 |
| Maximum tibia index | |
| Left | 0.33 |
| Right | 0.41 |
| Tibia axial force (kN) | |
| Left | 1.3 |
| Right | 2.0 |
| Foot acceleration (g) | |
| Left | 57 |
| Right | 161 |
Driver injury measures remain well-controlled in the updated test.
Rear passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CEF2116 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 for head contact during forward excursion | no contact |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 4.3 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Maximum Nij for head contact during forward excursion | no contact |
| Chest | |
| Chest index | 55 |
| Shoulder belt tension (kN) | 8.3 |
| Thigh (kN) | |
| Left femur compression | 0.2 |
| Right femur compression | 0.2 |
Elevated neck tension and chest index for the rear passenger dummy are the primary drivers for the “Poor” rating in rear passenger protection.
Side Crash Tests
Side crash tests evaluate occupant protection in侧面 impacts, a significant real-world collision type. The Chevy Equinox underwent both original and updated side crash tests.
Original Side Crash Test
The original side crash test, applicable to 2018-24 models, resulted in a Good overall rating for the Chevy Equinox.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | G |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | G |
| Pelvis/leg | G |
| Rear passenger head protection | G |
The Equinox achieved “Good” ratings across all driver and rear passenger injury measures and structural categories in the original side crash test, indicating strong side impact protection.
Technical measurements for this test are as follows:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1802 |
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -20.5 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
Minimal intrusion into the driver’s side occupant space is indicated by the negative B-pillar measurement.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1802 |
| Head HIC-15 | 151 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.3 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 38 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 33 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 4.51 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.77 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 0.9 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 1.2 |
| Combined force (kN) | 2.0 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.7 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 19 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 84 |
Driver injury measures are low, indicating good protection in a side impact.
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | VTS1802 |
| Head HIC-15 | 194 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.2 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.8 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 31 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.6 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 22 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 19 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.34 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.31 |
| Pelvis | |
| Iliac force (kN) | 1.1 |
| Acetabulum force (kN) | 2.9 |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.6 |
| Left femur | |
| L-M force (kN) | 0.1 |
| L-M moment (Nm) | 15 |
| A-P moment (Nm) | 27 |
Rear passenger injury measures are also low in the original side crash test.
Updated Side Crash Test
The updated side crash test is more stringent, using a heavier moving barrier and revised injury criteria. In this updated test, the 2021 Chevy Equinox received a Marginal overall rating.
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | M |
| Structure and safety cage | G |
| Driver injury measures | |
| Head/neck | G |
| Torso | M |
| Pelvis | G |
| Driver head protection | G |
| Rear passenger injury measures | |
| Head/neck | A |
| Torso | A |
| Pelvis | G |
| Rear passenger head protection The dummy’s head contacted the C-pillar hard, through the side curtain airbag. The head protection is inadequate. | M |
While structural performance and driver head protection remained Good, driver torso protection was rated Marginal, and rear passenger head protection was also Marginal due to head contact with the C-pillar through the side curtain airbag. Rear passenger head/neck and torso protection were rated Acceptable.
Technical measurements for the updated side crash test reveal areas of concern:
Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2107 |
| B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver’s seat (cm) | -21.0 |
| Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline. |
Intrusion is similar to the original test, remaining minimal.
Driver injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2107 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 131 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | no contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 44 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.4 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 43 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 39 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.63 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.76 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.5 |
Driver torso deflection measurements contribute to the “Marginal” torso rating.
Passenger injury measures
| Evaluation criteria | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Test ID | CES2107 |
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 733 |
| Peak gs at hard contact | 101 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Compression (kN) | 2.2 |
| Shoulder | |
| Lateral deflection (mm) | 42 |
| Lateral force (kN) | 1.8 |
| Torso | |
| Maximum deflection (mm) | 40 |
| Average deflection (mm) | 36 |
| Maximum deflection rate (m/s) | 3.20 |
| Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) | 0.60 |
| Pelvis | |
| Combined force (kN) | 3.0 |
The high HIC-15 value for the rear passenger head indicates significant head impact, leading to the “Marginal” rear passenger head protection rating.
Roof Strength
The roof strength test assesses the roof’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover crash. The 2021 Chevy Equinox (based on 2018-23 models) earned a Good rating in roof strength.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Curb weight | 3,460 lbs |
| Peak force | 18,196 lbs |
| Strength-to-weight ratio | 5.26 |
A “Good” rating here means the roof demonstrated sufficient strength relative to the vehicle’s weight, offering good protection in rollover scenarios.
Head Restraints & Seats
Head restraints and seats are critical for preventing neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The 2021 Chevy Equinox with power leather seats received a Good overall rating for head restraints and seats.
| Overall evaluation | G |
|---|---|
| Dynamic rating | G |
| Seat/head restraint geometry | G |
Both dynamic performance and seat geometry were rated “Good,” indicating effective whiplash protection in rear impacts.
Technical measurements for this test are as follows:
| Seat type | Power leather seat |
|---|---|
| Geometry | |
| Backset (mm) | 26 |
| Distance below top of head (mm) | 24 |
| Seat design parameters | |
| Pass/fail | Pass |
| Max T1 acceleration (g) | 11.9 |
| Head contact time (ms) | 60 |
| Force rating | 1 |
| Neck forces | |
| Max neck shear force (N) | 26 |
| Max neck tension (N) | 443 |
These measurements support the “Good” rating, showing effective head restraint geometry and dynamic performance.
Headlights
Headlight performance is crucial for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The IIHS rates headlights as separate trim levels often have different headlight systems. For the 2021 Chevy Equinox, headlight ratings vary by trim:
LT trim (HID projector headlights)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| High-beam headlight type | HID projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | A |
The LT trim with HID projector headlights received an Acceptable overall rating.
Premier trim (LED projector headlights)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| High-beam headlight type | LED projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | M |
The Premier trim with LED projector headlights received a Marginal overall rating, surprisingly lower than the HID projectors on the LT trim.
L and LS trims (Halogen projector headlights)
| Evaluation criteria | Rating |
|---|---|
| Low-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| High-beam headlight type | Halogen projector |
| Curve-adaptive? | No |
| High-beam assist? | Yes |
| Overall rating | M |
The L and LS trims with Halogen projector headlights also received a Marginal overall rating. It’s important to note that headlight performance varies significantly across trims, with the HID projectors on the LT trim offering the best visibility among the tested options.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle
Front crash prevention systems are increasingly important safety features. The 2021 Chevy Equinox (ratings apply to 2020-23 models) with standard automatic emergency braking and forward collision alert earned a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle | Superior |
The system avoided a collision in the 12 mph test and significantly reduced impact speed in the 25 mph test. This “Superior” rating indicates a highly effective system in preventing or mitigating front-to-vehicle crashes.
Front Crash Prevention: Pedestrian (Day)
Pedestrian detection and prevention systems are vital for urban safety. The 2021 Chevy Equinox (ratings apply to 2019-24 models) with standard front pedestrian braking received an Advanced rating for daytime pedestrian front crash prevention.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day) | Advanced |
The system showed good performance in various pedestrian scenarios, including crossing child and adult, and parallel adult scenarios, either avoiding collisions or significantly reducing impact speeds. This “Advanced” rating signifies a capable system in mitigating pedestrian collisions during the day.
Seat Belt Reminders
Seat belt reminders are essential for ensuring occupant safety. However, the 2021-22 Chevy Equinox received a Poor rating for seat belt reminders.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | P |
| Front row | |
| Unbelted occupant alert (audible & visual) | |
| Initiation time | |
| Duration | Negligible (under 8 seconds) |
| Volume | |
| Audio frequency | |
| Second row | |
| Startup status alert (visual) | None |
The poor rating is due to the negligible duration of the audible alert for unbelted front occupants and the lack of a startup status alert for the second row.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease and secure child seat installation. The 2021 Chevy Equinox (ratings apply to 2018-24 models) received an Acceptable rating for LATCH system ease of use.
| Overall evaluation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall evaluation | A |
| Vehicle trim | LS |
| Seat type | cloth |
While rated “Acceptable” overall, the Equinox has 2 rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. Some anchors are noted as not too deep in the seat and easy to maneuver around, but some hardware could be confused for anchors, contributing to the “Acceptable” rather than “Good” rating.
Conclusion
The 2021 Chevy Equinox demonstrates a mixed bag of safety performance. It excels in several crash tests, particularly the small overlap and original moderate overlap frontal tests, and boasts “Superior” vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention and “Advanced” pedestrian front crash prevention. Roof strength and head restraints/seats also earned “Good” ratings.
However, the Equinox received a “Poor” rating in the updated moderate overlap front test (due to rear passenger protection), a “Marginal” rating in the updated side crash test, and “Marginal” or “Acceptable” headlight ratings depending on trim. The “Poor” seat belt reminder rating is also a notable weakness.
For prospective buyers of a 2021 Chevy Equinox, it’s important to weigh these factors. While front occupant protection in most crash scenarios is strong, rear passenger protection in newer, more stringent tests and side impact scenarios raises some concerns. Headlight performance and seat belt reminders are also areas for potential improvement. Prioritizing trims with better headlight ratings (like the LT with HID projectors) and being diligent about seat belt use, especially for rear passengers, would be advisable.
