2021 Chevrolet Equinox MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is rated 27 to 28 mpg combined across 2 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 1.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2021 Chevrolet Equinox · 2 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

28MPG combined

26 city 31 highway

$2,200 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score6/10

1.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

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 $2,200 to $2,300 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2020.

One of the best Equinox years by owner complaints

The 2021 drew 35 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 2021 Equinox's recalls and problems

Every 2021 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
1.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Equinox FWD	28 mpg	26 / 31	$2,200
1.5L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Equinox AWD	27 mpg	25 / 30	$2,300

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
1.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,143	$179	$10,714
1.5L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,222	$185	$11,111

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

2021: gas 28 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 2021 Equinox compares

2021 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.

2021 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Ford Escape Best: hybrid	41 mpg	30 mpg	$1,500
Toyota RAV4 Best: hybrid	40 mpg	30 mpg	$1,550
Honda CR-V Best: hybrid	38 mpg	30 mpg	$1,650
Nissan Rogue Best: gas	33 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900
Subaru Outback Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Subaru Forester Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150
Chevrolet Equinox This page Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
Mazda CX-5 Best: gas	28 mpg	28 mpg	$2,200
GMC Terrain Best: gas	27 mpg	27 mpg	$2,300
Kia Sportage Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Jeep Cherokee Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Ford Bronco Sport Best: gas	26 mpg	26 mpg	$2,400
Hyundai Tucson Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Jeep Compass Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500
Volkswagen Tiguan Best: gas	25 mpg	25 mpg	$2,500

2021 Equinox recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 101 owner complaints for the 2021 Equinox.

Owners most often describe the check engine light (17 complaints, 17%), then stalling (16). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2021 Equinox recalls and problems

Questions

Does AWD lower the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 1.5L turbo 4-cyl gets 28 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 27 with AWD.

Does the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2021 Chevrolet Equinox version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2021 Equinox's MPG compare with the 2020?

For 2021, the best gas version is rated 28 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.