Compare the2023 Chevrolet EquinoxVS 2023 Fiat 500X

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Equinox are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The 500X doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Automatic Emergency Braking in the Equinox as “Superior.” The 500X scores only 4 points and is rated only “Advanced.”

The Equinox’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the 500X and is only available on 500X Sport.

The Equinox LT/RS/Premier offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 500X only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Equinox and the 500X have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

Chevrolet’s powertrain warranty covers the Equinox 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Fiat covers the 500X. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the 500X ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Equinox’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the 500X’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 8 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Fiat dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Equinox’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Equinox has a standard 700-amp battery. The 500X’s 500-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Equinox’s reliability 21 points higher than the 500X.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Equinox first among compact suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The 500X isn’t in the top three in its category.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chevrolet Equinox uses regular unleaded gasoline. The 500X requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Equinox FWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 500X (14.9 vs. 12.7 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the 500X (15.6 vs. 12.7 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Equinox higher (7 out of 10) than the Fiat 500X (6). This means the Equinox produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 500X every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Equinox stops shorter than the 500X:

	Equinox	500X
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	163 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	141 feet	146 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Equinox has larger standard tires than the 500X (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17). The Equinox’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 500X (235/50R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Equinox has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The 500X doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Equinox’s wheelbase is 6.1 inches longer than on the 500X (107.3 inches vs. 101.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Equinox is 1.5 inches wider in the front and 1.5 inches wider in the rear than on the 500X.

The Equinox’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the 500X’s (60.3% to 39.7%). This gives the Equinox more stable handling and braking.

The Equinox Premier AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the 500X pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Equinox Premier executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the 500X (27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.7 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Chassis

The front grille of the Equinox offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The 500X doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Equinox uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The 500X doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Equinox has 11.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 500X (103.2 vs. 91.7).

The Equinox has .9 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front hip room, 2.9 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the 500X.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Equinox’s rear seats recline. The 500X’s rear seats don’t recline.

The front step up height for the Equinox is 2.2 inches lower than the 500X (17.2” vs. 19.4”). The Equinox’s rear step up height is 2.1 inches lower than the 500X’s (17.5” vs. 19.6”).

Cargo Capacity

The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the 500X with its rear seat up (29.9 vs. 14.1 cubic feet). The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the 500X with its rear seat folded (63.9 vs. 39.8 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Equinox easier. The Equinox’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 28.6 inches, while the 500X’s liftover is 31.4 inches.

The Equinox’s cargo area is larger than the 500X’s in every dimension:

	Equinox	500X
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	34.9”/67.4”	n/a
Max Width	53.7”	41.3”
Min Width	40.7”	37.8”
Height	31”	28.8”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Equinox LT/RS/Premier’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The 500X doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Equinox (except LS) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Equinox Premier, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The 500X doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Equinox can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Equinox can be unhitched and driven around locally. The 500X can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Equinox uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The 500X doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Equinox Premier, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The 500X doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Equinox Premier’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The 500X doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Equinox’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The 500X does not have an oil pressure gauge.

On a hot day the Equinox’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the 500X can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Equinox’s available exterior PIN entry system. The 500X doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its extra cost Uconnect Access can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Equinox has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The 500X only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

When the Equinox Premier is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The 500X’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Equinox Premier’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The 500X has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Equinox and the 500X offer available heated front seats. The Equinox Premier also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the 500X.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Equinox Premier keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The 500X doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Equinox’s optional (except LS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The 500X doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Equinox has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The 500X doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Equinox has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The 500X doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Chevrolet Equinox Premier has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The 500X doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Equinox (except LS) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 500X doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Equinox Premier’s optional Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 500X doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

The Equinox is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The 500X doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Equinox owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Equinox will cost $150 less than the 500X over a five-year period.

The Equinox will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Equinox will retain 44.91% to 45.97% of its original price after five years, while the 500X only retains 36.13% to 38.37%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Equinox will be $3225 to $3823 less than for the Fiat 500X.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Equinox, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Fiat 500X isn't recommended.

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the Fiat 500X by over 242 to one during 2022.