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 Pilot expensive to maintain?

The Pilot costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40% — the highest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at the class average. Below-average cost but the most frequent unscheduled shop visits in the class.

What is the best year for a Honda Pilot?

Avoid 2016 (1,644 complaints — the third-generation debut, plagued by 9-speed transmission issues) and 2019 (843 complaints at the fourth-generation launch). The 2024 Pilot (93 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) is the strongest recent used pick. The 2022-2024 range has settled significantly from the turbulent 2016-2021 period.

How much does Honda Pilot insurance cost?

Pilot insurance averages about $2,147/year — roughly $179/month. The most affordable insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pilot. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete side-by-side, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds the edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Pilot?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the three-row segment, meaning owners statistically average more than one unscheduled repair visit per year. For 2016-2021 models with documented complaint spikes, extended warranty is worth considering to contain those visit costs. For 2022 and newer, the profile is more moderate.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda Pilot

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Equinox to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Honda Pilot if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda Pilot
Annual maintenance	$537winner	$542
5-year total cost	$2,685winner	$2,710
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	13%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	111.8 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$31,000winner	$45,400
Best years to buy	2021, 2023, 2024	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda Pilot
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	162.1winner	303.7
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2013	2010, 2011, 2012
Value retained · 3 yr	76.1%winner	74.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	54.3%	55.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	43.2%	46%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Equinox	Honda Pilot
Engine	40.0%	32.3%winner
Electrical	5.9%winner	14.7%
ADAS	5.2%winner	11.2%
Brakes	4.9%	3.7%winner
Suspension	—winner	1.3%
Steering	2.5%	1.7%winner
Fuel system	4.5%winner	7.6%
Tires/Wheels	1.7%	1.5%winner
Glass/Windows	16.7%	2.4%winner
Airbags	4.4%	3.5%winner
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 Pilot
Avg annual premium	$2,140winner	$2,147

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Equinox

$537/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 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 →