The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox FWD 2.0L gets 25 MPG combined, putting it in the middle of the compact SUV class. It’s not the best, but it’s not the worst. This fuel economy is acceptable for buyers who value cargo space, comfortable seating for five, and a fairly smooth ride more than saving the most on gas. The Equinox’s economy is adequate, not outstanding, but the rest of its features are a trade-off many families are happy to make.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Equinox FWD 2.0L gets 22 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. The city number reflects the demands of stop-and-go traffic, where the engine works harder to accelerate from a standstill. The highway number represents more consistent speeds, allowing the 9-speed automatic transmission to settle into higher, more fuel-efficient gears. Drivers who mainly stick to cities will probably see numbers at the low end. Drivers who mostly cruise long distances should get close to or even slightly better than the 29 MPG highway estimate.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox FWD 2.0L is $2,300. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and assumes current national average fuel prices. Your actual fuel costs will vary based on your driving and local fuel prices. Drivers who accelerate quickly or drive in traffic a lot will probably spend more. Drivers who focus on fuel efficiency and drive at a steady speed can expect to spend less. The $2,300 provides a useful reference point for comparing the Equinox’s costs to other vehicles. You can also research all Chevrolet fuel economy data to see where this model fits.

Real-world expectations

EPA estimates are a standard, but real-world fuel economy varies. Driving style is important. Quick acceleration and hard braking use more gas. Terrain affects efficiency. Hilly routes decrease MPG, and weather, like strong winds or extreme temperatures, can also matter. The more passengers or cargo you carry, the lower your mileage will be. Remember these things when you check your own fuel consumption in the 2020 Equinox.

How it compares

The 2020 Equinox FWD 2.0L is in a competitive market. A similar Honda CR-V gets about 28 MPG combined, a bit better for buyers focused on maximizing gas savings. The base Mazda CX-5 with its standard engine gets about 26 MPG combined, about the same as the Equinox. The Toyota RAV4, another popular choice, gets about 30 MPG combined in its front-wheel drive version, making it one of the most fuel-efficient in this class. These small differences are important to those comparing the EQUINOX MPG across all years. Buyers who want to save money in the long run should consider these numbers carefully.

Tips to Maximize Efficiency

Use the Equinox’s 9-speed automatic transmission. Accelerate gently to let the transmission quickly shift to higher gears, which saves fuel, especially in cities. Avoid quick starts and stops, as this makes the engine work harder and use more gas.

Don’t idle. Idling wastes fuel. Turn off the engine if you will be stopped for more than a minute. Modern cars restart quickly, so restarting uses less fuel than idling for a long time.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which reduces fuel economy. Check your tire pressure and inflate to the PSI on the door jamb sticker. This improves your gas mileage.

Reduce weight. Take unnecessary items out of your car to reduce the load on the engine. Extra weight reduces fuel efficiency, so decluttering your Equinox helps with gas mileage.