2016 Chevrolet Equinox — Full Specifications
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The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is an SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 31 mpg (UK) / 26 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 22–31 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Chevrolet Equinox workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 31 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 4★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.4L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.4L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 100 cu ft (2,832 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 28 cu ft (793 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 31 combined / 26 urban / 37 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 26 combined / 22 city / 31 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 216 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 5 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,600 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 6 configurations for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox across 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 18 to 26 mpg (US), or 22 to 31 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/28) | 237 | $2,900 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 23 (20/28) | 237 | $2,900 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (22/31) | 216 | $2,600 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (22/31) | 216 | $2,600 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/23) | 300 | $3,700 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (17/24) | 285 | $3,350 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 100 cubic feet (about 2,832 litres) and luggage volume at 28 cubic feet (about 793 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
Running Costs: 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox at 31 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,173 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,600 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2016 Chevrolet Equinox Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Equipment (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Equipment — campaign 16V449000, reported 21 June 2016. Risk: If the information on the certification labels is incorrect, the operator may install incorrectly sized tires or rims or may improperly inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Owners have filed 397 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox. The most-reported areas are Engine (202), Visibility/wiper (114), Unspecified (32). Complaints include 14 reported crashes, 3 reported fires, 22 reported injuries. That is close to the median of 392 complaints across the 17 Chevrolet Equinox model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Engine (202 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
- Visibility (114 owner complaints) — Check wipers, washers and demisters work properly.
- Transmission & drivetrain (26 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Chevrolet Equinox compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 31 mpg figure is 4 mpg better than that average. Its 216 g/km CO₂ figure is 37 g/km lower than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Chevrolet models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox's 31 mpg is 2 mpg above that make average. Its 216 g/km CO₂ figure is 30 g/km lower than the 246 g/km Chevrolet average.
Of the 17 Chevrolet Equinox model years we cover, the 2016 ranks 10th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (31 mpg UK combined, against a high of 38 mpg). See every Chevrolet Equinox year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have?
EPA lists 2 engines for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.4L 4-cyl with a automatic 6-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
The most efficient configuration returns around 31 mpg (UK) combined, or 26 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 22 to 31 mpg.
How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,600 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Equipment (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox?
Among the 397 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Engine (202 complaints), Visibility/wiper (114 complaints), Unspecified (32 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 100 cubic feet (about 2,832 litres) and luggage volume at 28 cubic feet (about 793 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.
Is the Chevrolet Equinox's fuel economy good for an SUV?
Yes — it returns around 31 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track, making it one of the more efficient options in its class.