The Chevrolet Equinox does 31.6 mpg combined (29.6 city, 34.5 highway), which works out to about $1,215 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 108.3 mpg while 3.4L 6-cyl does 19.5 — a difference of $1,614 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Chevrolet Equinox engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 117 / 99.7 | 2024–2026 | $355 | |
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 28 / 38 | 2018–2019 | $1,200 | |
| 1.5L 4-cyl | 25.9 / 30.1 | 2020–2027 | $1,391 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 21.9 / 31.1 | 2010–2017 | $1,483 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17 / 24 | 2010–2012 | $1,920 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 16.7 / 23.8 | 2008–2017 | $1,949 | |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 17 / 23.3 | 2005–2009 | $1,969 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.101 |
| Fuel per year | $1,215 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,075 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$297 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,509 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 29.6 mpg | $1,297 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 34.5 mpg | $1,113 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +4.9 mpg (17%) | Typical for its type |
How the Equinox changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 25 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2026 | 71.5 / 64.5 | 2 | $569 | |
| 2025 | 71.5 / 64 | 2 | $565 | |
| 2024 | 71.5 / 65 | 2 | $565 | |
| 2023 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2022 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2021 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2020 | 26 / 31 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 2019 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2018 | 28 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2017 | 19 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2016 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2015 | 19 / 27 | 2 | $1,707 | |
| 2014 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2013 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2012 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2011 | 19.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2010 | 19.5 / 28 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2009 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2008 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2007 | 17 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 22 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2005 | 17 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Chevrolet Equinox get?
31.6 mpg combined on average — 29.6 in the city and 34.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2027.
How much does a Chevrolet Equinox cost in fuel per year?
About $1,215 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,075 over five years, or 0.101 dollars a mile.
Which Equinox engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 108.3 mpg, against 19.5 for the 3.4L 6-cyl — a difference of about $1,614 a year.
Is the Equinox good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.