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 Mitsubishi Outlander expensive to maintain?

The Outlander costs $519/year to maintain — $2 below the compact segment average of $521, an essentially negligible difference. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Reliability score of 8 and major repair probability of 11% are both at segment averages. Solid average-cost ownership with slightly better repair frequency.

What is the best year for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

The 2025 Outlander (13 complaints, 8/10 safety, 2 severe) is the cleanest year in the model's history. The 2023-2025 window represents the settled third generation. Avoid 2015 (231 complaints) and 2022 (206 complaints — new generation launch year). For used buying, 2023 or newer is the safest range.

How much does Mitsubishi Outlander insurance cost?

Outlander insurance averages around $2,676/year — roughly $223/month. This is notably above average for a compact SUV and the highest insurance rate in the compact class, likely reflecting parts availability and repair costs for a lower-volume brand.

Is the Mitsubishi Outlander or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $90/year cheaper — $429 versus $519 for the Outlander, about $450 in savings over five years. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. The RAV4 holds a clear maintenance cost advantage.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Mitsubishi Outlander?

Major repair probability and reliability are both at class average, and repair frequency is below it. The outsized insurance premium already adds meaningfully to total ownership cost — factor that before adding extended warranty cost. For 2023+ models, warranty coverage isn't strongly warranted.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Mitsubishi Outlander

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 Mitsubishi Outlander — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Equinox	Mitsubishi Outlander
Annual maintenance	$537	$519winner
5-year total cost	$2,685	$2,595winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	11%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$31,000	$29,995winner
Best years to buy	2021, 2023, 2024	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Equinox	Mitsubishi Outlander
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	162.1winner	278.2
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2013	2014, 2015, 2016
Value retained · 3 yr	76.1%winner	72.4%
Value retained · 5 yr	54.3%winner	52.5%
Value retained · 7 yr	43.2%winner	41.5%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Equinox	Mitsubishi Outlander
Engine	40.0%	14.5%winner
Electrical	5.9%winner	7.6%
ADAS	5.2%winner	10.2%
Brakes	4.9%winner	7.5%
Suspension	—winner	2.7%
Steering	2.5%winner	2.5%
Fuel system	4.5%	2.5%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.7%winner	2.0%
Glass/Windows	16.7%	4.2%winner
Airbags	4.4%winner	9.3%
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	Mitsubishi Outlander
Avg annual premium	$2,140winner	$2,676

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Equinox

$537/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Mitsubishi Outlander

$519/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 →