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 Hyundai Tucson expensive to maintain?

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Hyundai Tucson

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 Hyundai Tucson — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
Annual maintenance	$537	$426winner
5-year total cost	$2,685	$2,130winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	12%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	80.3 cu ftwinner
Starting price (new)	$31,000winner	$31,300
Best years to buy	2021, 2023, 2024	2020

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	163.4winner	297.7
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2013	2011, 2012, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	76.1%	76.3%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	54.3%	57.7%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	43.2%	47.3%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Tucson
Engine	40.0%	38.3%winner
Electrical	5.9%winner	6.0%
ADAS	5.2%winner	10.5%
Brakes	4.9%winner	8.9%
Steering	2.5%	0.9%winner
Fuel system	4.5%	2.8%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.7%	0.8%winner
Glass/Windows	16.7%	1.4%winner
Airbags	4.4%	1.4%winner
Lighting	—winner	1.0%
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	Hyundai Tucson
Avg annual premium	$2,140	$1,975winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Equinox

$537/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Hyundai Tucson

$426/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 →