A practical, well-packaged compact SUV let down almost entirely by one specific, well-documented engine issue that should shape your entire buying decision.
The Equinox's compact SUV body is a reasonable, unstressed load for this engine mechanically — the oil consumption issue covered in detail on the engine page is a factory design concern, not a consequence of how the car is used.
Given how widespread this specific issue is across the model's production run, it's worth treating the engine page's checklist as the single most important part of evaluating any used Equinox from this generation.
This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.
This generation of Equinox is a defining application of the 2.4L Ecotec. The oil consumption checklist on the dedicated engine page should be treated as mandatory before buying.
FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNChevrolet 2.4L Ecotec — Reliable or Not →This is non-negotiable: ask for documented oil consumption history and, ideally, verify the level yourself before considering anything else about the car.
Check whether any manufacturer extended warranty or goodwill engine repair was ever performed, and get documentation if so.
Watch for blue-tinted exhaust smoke on startup or under load during the test drive, a visible sign of oil consumption.