What is the best year for a Chevrolet Equinox?

The 2023 Equinox is one of the strongest used buys — it landed on the mature end of the third generation with a 10/10 NHTSA safety score, just 82 complaints, and only 5 severe issues on record. The 2021–2024 range is generally solid, with complaint counts dropping sharply from the turbulent 2014–2018 period. Avoid the early 2010–2013 model years if reliability is a priority.

How much does Chevrolet Equinox insurance cost?

The Equinox averages around $2,140/year to insure, or roughly $178/month. That's on the lower end for compact SUVs, partly because it doesn't carry the theft-risk premium of more desirable crossovers. Your actual rate will vary based on trim, model year, location, and driving history — but the Equinox tends to quote well for budget-conscious buyers.

Is the Chevrolet Equinox or Honda CR-V cheaper to maintain?

The CR-V is cheaper to maintain by about $130/year — $407 versus $537 for the Equinox. Over five years that's roughly $650 in savings, and the CR-V also carries a higher reliability score (9 vs 7) and a lower major repair probability (10% vs 18%). If long-term ownership cost is the deciding factor, the CR-V has a clear edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Equinox?

It's worth considering. The Equinox's 18% major repair probability is well above the compact segment average of 11%, and its reliability score of 7 trails the class norm. If you're buying a used Equinox outside factory warranty coverage — especially a 2014–2018 model year — a powertrain warranty provides real protection against the repair exposure this model carries. For newer 2022+ models, self-insuring is more defensible.

Is the Honda Passport expensive to maintain?

The Passport costs $521/year to maintain — $52 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 28% is well below the class average of 40%, and major repair probability of 11% is well below the 13% norm. Combined with a reliability score of 8 above the segment average of 7, the Passport is one of the better ownership-cost propositions in the midsize class.

What is the best year for a Honda Passport?

The 2024 Passport (15 complaints, 10/10 safety, 2 severe) is the strongest year on record. The 2022-2024 window is consistently clean. Avoid 2019 — the launch year logged 266 complaints. The model has improved steadily since, with 2020 settling to 86 and the downward trend continuing through 2024.

How much does Honda Passport insurance cost?

Passport insurance averages around $2,489/year — roughly $207/month.

Is the Honda Passport or Jeep Grand Cherokee cheaper to maintain?

The Passport is cheaper to maintain by $145/year — $521 versus $666 for the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Passport also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7), lower major repair probability (11% vs. 13%), and lower repair frequency (28% vs. 30%). The Passport is the better value across all maintenance metrics.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Passport?

Major repair probability of 11% and repair frequency of 28% are both well below midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't strongly warranted — self-insuring makes more financial sense for most buyers.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda Passport

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Equinox if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Honda Passport — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda Passport
Annual maintenance	$537	$521winner
5-year total cost	$2,685	$2,605winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	11%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$31,000winner	$44,950
Best years to buy	2021, 2023, 2024	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda Passport
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	162.1winner	194.7
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2013	2019, 2023, 2024
Value retained · 3 yr	76.1%winner	75.8%
Value retained · 5 yr	54.3%	58.8%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	43.2%	49.3%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda Passport
Engine	40.0%	14.8%winner
Electrical	5.9%winner	13.5%
ADAS	5.2%winner	26.9%
Brakes	4.9%winner	6.1%
Steering	2.5%	1.9%winner
Fuel system	4.5%winner	6.7%
Tires/Wheels	1.7%winner	3.6%
Glass/Windows	16.7%	2.9%winner
Airbags	4.4%	1.9%winner
Lighting	—winner	1.2%
Seatbelt	0.6%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda Passport
Avg annual premium	$2,140winner	$2,489

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Equinox

$537/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Honda Passport

$521/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Equinox costs around $537/year to maintain — $16 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 31% is essentially at the class average of 30%, but its 18% major repair probability runs well above the segment average of 11%, meaning there's a meaningfully higher chance of facing a costly unscheduled repair in any given year than with class leaders like the CR-V or RAV4.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →