Chevy Equinox Third-Row Seating: What To Know
Chevy Equinox by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
Let’s get the most basic fact of the matter out of the way right now: as of 2021, the Chevrolet Equinox does not have third-row seating. It’s not really meant to seat that many—instead, it’s meant to be a more compact offering. Here, we’ll get into why the Equinox lacks a third row and which similar models do have a third seating row.
The Chevy Equinox made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003, then hit the market in 2004. The Equinox is built on the unibody General Motors Theta platform, GM’s mid-size crossover SUV platform. It’s more of a daily driver than a serious off-roading vehicle, unlike its big brothers, the Tahoe and TrailBlazer, which are truck-based. It also sports only front-wheel drive by default (though four-wheel is, of course, an available option.)
Chevy Equinox’s Place In Chevrolet’s SUV Lineup
Currently, Chevrolet produces several SUVs, offering a broad range of products to suit every lifestyle. Seating ranges from 5 to 9 seats, meaning the Equinox is at the bottom in terms of seating availability—because, again, it’s not meant to be a big family hauler.
Chevy’s SUV lineup is below, arranged from smallest to largest, and with seating capacity listed:
- Chevy Trax (5 seats)
- Chevy Trailblazer (5 seats)
- Chevy Equinox (5 seats)
- Chevy Blazer (5 seats)
- Chevy Traverse (7-8, depending on options)
- Chevy Tahoe (7-9, depending on options)
- Chevy Suburban (7-9, depending on options)
The Equinox sits right in the middle of Chevy’s two-row offerings, providing a balanced option. You’ll get more room to stretch out and relax in the Equinox than the Trax or Blazer, but in a smaller overall package with better fuel economy than the Blazer or any of the large-size SUVs. And, of course, if a third row is important to you, Chevy offers you three options, especially the Suburban, which is one of the largest, most spacious SUVs on the market.
If you’re looking for a Chevrolet SUV that’s most similar to the Equinox but does have a third row, you’ll want to look into the Chevy Traverse.
Overall, despite the lack of a third row, the Chevy Equinox is a great SUV. It’s a great fit as a daily driver, especially for those with a small family (or maybe a few dogs!). It’s known for its reliability, affordability, and safety features.
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Chevy Equinox’s Seating Options
So the Equinox only has two rows of seating, but what are those two rows like? Well, they provide an impressive amount of both legroom and headroom, cloth upholstery by default, standard heated seats, and a bevy of options.
Those looking for ample seating for families might take note that Equinox does offer an optional rear-seat entertainment system, so the kiddos can watch cartoons on those family road trips. Do note, however, that the entertainment system in some Chevrolet model years did not support DVD or Blu-Ray discs, which frustrated some consumers.
This meant customers needed to load their media via a USB drive or some other form of external storage. If you’re looking at a used Equinox and the rear entertainment system is important to you, you might check to see what version your prospective vehicle has installed.
Those sitting in the Equinox’s second row will find easy enough access to USB ports, will find the speakers to be crisp and pleasing (especially with the optional Bose upgrade!), and will, of course, be able to use the Equinox’s onboard WiFi hotspot.
Chevy Equinox Legroom
As we’ve mentioned, the Equinox offers ample legroom, as well as elbow and shoulder room. The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox offers 39.9 inches of second low legroom. How does that compare to other Chevy models?
- Chevy Trax: 35.7”
- Chevy Trailblazer: 39.4”
- Chevy Equinox: 39.9”
- Chevy Blazer: 39.6”
- Chevy Traverse: 38.4”
- Chevy Tahoe: 42”
- Chevy Suburban: 42”
Based on standard trim and packages on 2021 models.
As you can see, the Equinox has a limited number of seats, and it’s a smaller overall vehicle, but that second row is actually more spacious than most other Chevy SUVs, up until you compare it to the Tahoe and Suburban, which are significantly larger vehicles.
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Alternatives to the Chevy Equinox—the Equinox’s Top Competitors
Competition is stiff in the highly popular mid-size crossover SUV sector. Vehicles that offer a similar package to the Chevy Equinox include the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, and Mazda CX-5, among others—all very popular automobiles, though none of which have third-row seating.
So what are some non-Chevy mid-sized SUVs similar to the Equinox that do have third-row seating? You might try looking into these:
- Kia Telluride
- Hyundai Palisade
- Mazda CX-9
- Dodge Durango
- Kia Sorento
- Toyota Highlander
- Honda Pilot
- Volkswagen Atlas
- Ford Explorer
- Subaru Ascent
- Nissan Pathfinder
- GMC Acadia
Generally, SUVs on this list aren’t going to have that great fuel efficiency or sporty handling of the Equinox. What they are going to bring to the table is enough cargo space to haul around plenty of kids and all their gear, whether you’re going to soccer practice or a long drive down to a beach vacation.
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Overall Impressions
While the Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t have third-row seating, it has a particularly spacious and comfortable two-row seating setup. While it can haul fewer people than larger SUVs, those people are going to ride in more comfort. And given the Equinox’s competitive price, excellent reliability, and overall quality of construction, it’s a fine option for those who only need two rows of seating. Those who require a Chevy with 7 seats or more should check out the Traverse, Tahoe, or Suburban.
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