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 Jeep Compass expensive to maintain?

The Compass costs $526/year to maintain — $5 above the compact segment average of $521, a negligible difference. Repair frequency of 25% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% both sit at segment averages. A squarely average ownership cost with slightly better-than-average repair frequency.

What is the best year for a Jeep Compass?

The 2023-2025 window is the cleanest in the Compass's history — 2023 (45 complaints), 2024 (47), 2025 (18, 8/10 safety, 4 severe). Avoid 2014 (306 complaints, 25 severe) and 2019 (319 complaints, 12 severe), which coincide with documented early-generation issues. For used buying, 2023 or 2025 is the safest pick.

How much does Jeep Compass insurance cost?

Compass insurance averages around $2,011/year, or about $168/month.

Is the Jeep Compass or Ford Bronco Sport cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance cost data isn't available for the Ford Bronco Sport, so a direct comparison isn't possible. The Compass's $526/year and 25% repair frequency are solid benchmarks within the compact class.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Jeep Compass?

Major repair probability at the class average and repair frequency below it — no strong case for extended warranty on 2023+ models. For 2014 and 2019 models purchased used, documented complaint spikes in those years make coverage worth considering.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Jeep Compass

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 Jeep Compass — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Equinox	Jeep Compass
Annual maintenance	$537	$526winner
5-year total cost	$2,685	$2,630winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	11%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$31,000	$29,550winner
Best years to buy	2021, 2023, 2024	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Equinox	Jeep Compass
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	162.1winner	182.8
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2013	2019, 2022, 2025
Value retained · 3 yr	76.1%winner	68%
Value retained · 5 yr	54.3%	56.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	43.2%	50.4%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Equinox	Jeep Compass
Engine	40.0%	26.2%winner
Electrical	5.9%winner	11.8%
ADAS	5.2%winner	12.8%
Brakes	4.9%	3.1%winner
Suspension	—winner	2.7%
Steering	2.5%winner	2.9%
Fuel system	4.5%	4.2%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.7%	1.4%winner
Glass/Windows	16.7%	—winner
Airbags	4.4%winner	11.7%
Lighting	—winner	2.3%
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	Jeep Compass
Avg annual premium	$2,140	$2,011winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Equinox

$537/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Jeep Compass

$526/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 →