What is the best year for a Chevrolet Equinox?

The 2023 Equinox is one of the strongest used buys — it landed on the mature end of the third generation with a 10/10 NHTSA safety score, just 82 complaints, and only 5 severe issues on record. The 2021–2024 range is generally solid, with complaint counts dropping sharply from the turbulent 2014–2018 period. Avoid the early 2010–2013 model years if reliability is a priority.

How much does Chevrolet Equinox insurance cost?

The Equinox averages around $2,140/year to insure, or roughly $178/month. That's on the lower end for compact SUVs, partly because it doesn't carry the theft-risk premium of more desirable crossovers. Your actual rate will vary based on trim, model year, location, and driving history — but the Equinox tends to quote well for budget-conscious buyers.

Is the Chevrolet Equinox or Honda CR-V cheaper to maintain?

The CR-V is cheaper to maintain by about $130/year — $407 versus $537 for the Equinox. Over five years that's roughly $650 in savings, and the CR-V also carries a higher reliability score (9 vs 7) and a lower major repair probability (10% vs 18%). If long-term ownership cost is the deciding factor, the CR-V has a clear edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Equinox?

It's worth considering. The Equinox's 18% major repair probability is well above the compact segment average of 11%, and its reliability score of 7 trails the class norm. If you're buying a used Equinox outside factory warranty coverage — especially a 2014–2018 model year — a powertrain warranty provides real protection against the repair exposure this model carries. For newer 2022+ models, self-insuring is more defensible.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe expensive to maintain?

The Santa Fe averages $515/year in maintenance — $58 below the midsize segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40%. Major repair probability of 10% is well below the 13% norm. Reliability score of 8 is above the midsize average of 7. It outperforms the segment average on every ownership-cost metric.

What is the best year for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Avoid 2013-2014 (604 and 492 complaints) and especially 2017 (929 complaints), which coincides with the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Santa Fe (158 complaints, 10/10 safety, 5 severe) is the strongest mature used pick. The current generation is consistent: 2024 (121, 8/10, 11 severe) and 2025 (112, 8/10, 6 severe) are solid options for buyers wanting newer.

How much does Hyundai Santa Fe insurance cost?

Santa Fe insurance averages about $2,430/year — roughly $203/month.

Is the Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is cheaper to maintain by $86/year — $429 versus $515 for the Santa Fe. Note the RAV4 is a compact SUV while the Santa Fe is a midsize, so they serve somewhat different buyers. Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability (10%); the Santa Fe has a slightly lower repair frequency (24% vs. 26%). The cost gap is real, but so is the size difference.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Santa Fe?

Major repair probability of 10% and repair frequency of 24% are both well below midsize segment averages. Extended warranty isn't needed for 2021 and newer. For used models in the 2013-2014 and 2017 range, the documented engine recall history makes coverage worth taking seriously.

Chevrolet Equinox vs Hyundai Santa Fe

Two compact SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Equinox if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Hyundai Santa Fe — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Santa Fe
Annual maintenance	$537	$515winner
5-year total cost	$2,685	$2,575winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	18%	10%winner
Cargo space	63.5 cu ft	—
Starting price (new)	$31,000winner	$35,050
Best years to buy	2021, 2023, 2024	2011, 2018

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Santa Fe
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	162.1winner	251.5
Years to avoid	2010, 2011, 2013	2017, 2019, 2023
Value retained · 3 yr	76.1%winner	72.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	54.3%	54.4%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	43.2%winner	42%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Santa Fe
Engine	40.0%winner	45.2%
Electrical	5.9%	5.1%winner
ADAS	5.2%winner	8.8%
Brakes	4.9%winner	5.7%
Steering	2.5%winner	4.5%
Fuel system	4.5%	2.0%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.7%winner	2.3%
Glass/Windows	16.7%	2.9%winner
Airbags	4.4%	2.1%winner
Lighting	—winner	1.2%
Seatbelt	0.6%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Equinox	Hyundai Santa Fe
Avg annual premium	$2,140winner	$2,430

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Equinox

$537/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Hyundai Santa Fe

$515/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Equinox costs around $537/year to maintain — $16 above the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 31% is essentially at the class average of 30%, but its 18% major repair probability runs well above the segment average of 11%, meaning there's a meaningfully higher chance of facing a costly unscheduled repair in any given year than with class leaders like the CR-V or RAV4.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →