2016 Chevrolet Equinox MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is rated 18 to 26 mpg combined across 6 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Chevrolet Equinox · 6 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

26MPG combined

22 city 31 highway

$2,400 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score6/10

2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $1,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,400 to $3,450 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2015.

One of the best Equinox years by owner complaints

The 2016 drew 46 owner complaints in its first three years, against 80 for a typical Equinox year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.

No Equinox year stands out enough to avoid; best years: 2016, 2017, and 2021. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Equinox year ranked The 2016 Equinox's recalls and problems

Every 2016 Equinox version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Equinox FWD	26 mpg	22 / 31	$2,400
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) EPA listing: Equinox FWD · Flex-fuel (E85)	26 mpg	22 / 31	$2,400
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Equinox AWD	23 mpg	20 / 28	$2,700
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85) EPA listing: Equinox AWD · Flex-fuel (E85)	23 mpg	20 / 28	$2,700
3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Equinox FWD	20 mpg	17 / 24	$3,100
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Equinox AWD	18 mpg	16 / 23	$3,450

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,308	$192	$11,538
2.4L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)	$2,308	$192	$11,538
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,609	$217	$13,043
2.4L 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic · Flex-fuel (E85)	$2,609	$217	$13,043
3.6L 6-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,000	$250	$15,000
3.6L 6-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,333	$278	$16,667

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Chevrolet Equinox MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 25 to 28 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2018. Diesel: 32 mpg (2018 to 2019).

Best gas version
Best diesel version

2016: gas 26 mpg · diesel not offered

Show as a table

Chevrolet Equinox best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best diesel version
2010	26	–
2011	26	–
2012	26	–
2013	26	–
2014	26	–
2015	26	–
2016	26	–
2017	25	–
2018	28	32
2019	28	32
2020	28	–
2021	28	–
2022	28	–
2023	28	–
2024	28	–
2025	27	–
2026	27	–

Every Equinox year's ratings in one table

How the 2016 Equinox compares

2016 compact SUVs covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	32 mpg	26 mpg	$1,950
Honda CR-V Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Mazda CX-5 Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Outback Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Subaru Forester Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Chevrolet Equinox This page Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Ford Escape Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
GMC Terrain Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Kia Sportage Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,700
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$3,350

2016 Equinox recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 400 owner complaints for the 2016 Equinox.

Owners most often describe wiper failures (104 complaints, 26%), then excessive oil consumption (64). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 stars.

See the 2016 Equinox recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 2 to 3 mpg: the 2.4L 4-cyl gets 26 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 23 with AWD.

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Equinox need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2016 Chevrolet Equinox version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2016 Equinox's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 26 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.