The Chevrolet Equinox has been a popular choice in the small SUV segment for years, known for its versatility and fuel efficiency. For those considering a 2021 Chevy Equinox, safety is likely a paramount concern. Understanding the safety ratings and crash test performance is crucial for making an informed decision. This article delves into a comprehensive breakdown of the 2021 Chevy Equinox safety evaluations, drawing from rigorous testing data to give you a clear picture of how well this vehicle protects its occupants.
Crashworthiness Evaluations of the 2021 Chevy Equinox
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are two leading organizations that conduct extensive crash tests on vehicles in the United States. The following sections detail the performance of the 2021 Chevy Equinox in various crash scenarios as evaluated by IIHS.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The small overlap front crash test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end impacts another vehicle or a narrow object like a tree or pole. This is a particularly challenging test because it bypasses the main energy-absorbing structures of the car.
The 2021 Chevy Equinox, evaluated based on tests conducted by General Motors, earned a Good rating in the driver-side small overlap front crash test. This is the highest rating possible and indicates a high level of protection in this type of severe frontal crash.
Key takeaways from the driver-side small overlap test:
- Structure and Safety Cage: Rated Good, meaning the structural integrity of the Equinox held up well, maintaining the occupant survival space.
- Driver Injury Measures: All injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot were rated Good, indicating a low risk of significant injuries to the driver in a similar real-world crash.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Also rated Good, signifying that the seat belts and airbags effectively controlled the dummy’s movement during the crash, contributing to good protection.
Technical measurements from the driver-side test:
| Measurement Category | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 6 |
| Footrest | 5 |
| Left Toepan | 4 |
| Brake Pedal | 5 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 1 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Steering Column | 0 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 5 |
| Upper Dash | 5 |
| Lower Instrument Panel | 5 |
Driver Injury Measures in Detail:
| Injury Type | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 86 |
| Peak gs at contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.8 |
| Extension Moment (Nm) | 8 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.17 |
| Chest Compression | 22 mm |
| Left Femur Force | 0.7 kN |
| Right Femur Force | 0.1 kN |
| Left Knee Displacement | 0 mm |
| Right Knee Displacement | 0 mm |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.47 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.51 |
| Left Tibia Axial Force | 1.2 kN |
| Right Tibia Axial Force | 0.2 kN |
| Left Foot Acceleration | 56 g |
| Right Foot Acceleration | 43 g |
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
While driver-side protection is crucial, passenger safety is equally important. The passenger-side small overlap test assesses how well the vehicle protects the front passenger in a similar crash scenario.
The 2021 Chevy Equinox also achieved a Good overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test. However, the structure and safety cage received an Acceptable rating, a slight step down from “Good,” suggesting a bit more intrusion on the passenger side compared to the driver side.
Key observations from the passenger-side small overlap test:
- Overall Evaluation: Good.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Acceptable. While still providing reasonable protection, there was slightly more structural deformation compared to the driver side.
- Passenger Injury Measures: All injury measures for the head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot for the passenger were rated Good, indicating good passenger protection.
- Passenger Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Rated Good, similar to the driver side, the airbags and seatbelts performed well.
- Driver Injury Measures: Interestingly, driver injury measures were also assessed in the passenger-side test and all were rated Good, suggesting consistent front occupant protection in this crash type.
Images from the Passenger-Side Small Overlap Test:
Action shot during the passenger-side small overlap frontal crash test.
Dummy position after the crash shows survival space maintained.
Frontal and side curtain airbags effectively protected the passenger’s head.
Dashboard and door hinge pillar intrusion contributed to moderate lower leg injury risk.
Technical measurements from the passenger-side test:
| Measurement Category | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Lower Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Lower Hinge Pillar Max | 11 |
| Footrest | 7 |
| Right Toepan | 3 |
| Center Toepan | 2 |
| Rocker Panel Lateral Average | 2 |
| Upper Occupant Compartment Intrusion | |
| Center Dash | 6 |
| Upper Hinge Pillar Max | 11 |
| Upper Dash | 9 |
| Right Lower Dash | 11 |
Passenger and Driver Injury Measures in Passenger-Side Test:
| Injury Type | Passenger Measurement | Driver Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Head | ||
| HIC-15 | 109 | 90 |
| Peak gs at contact | No Contact | No Contact |
| Neck | ||
| Tension (kN) | 1.0 | 0.8 |
| Extension Moment (Nm) | 16 | 14 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.25 | 0.16 |
| Chest Compression | 16 mm | 28 mm |
| Left Femur Force | 0.0 kN | 0.2 kN |
| Right Femur Force | 1.1 kN | 0.2 kN |
| Left Knee Displacement | 1 mm | 0 mm |
| Right Knee Displacement | 9 mm | 0 mm |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.43 | 0.28 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.82 | 0.19 |
| Left Tibia Axial Force | 1.8 kN | 0.2 kN |
| Right Tibia Axial Force | 1.0 kN | 0.2 kN |
| Left Foot Acceleration | 63 g | 54 g |
| Right Foot Acceleration | 41 g | 42 g |
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original and Updated
The moderate overlap front crash test is a more traditional frontal crash test, involving a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end. The IIHS has both an original and an updated version of this test. The updated test is more demanding, particularly in assessing rear passenger protection.
Original Moderate Overlap Test (for 2018-24 models):
In the original moderate overlap front test, the 2021 Chevy Equinox received a Good overall rating.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good.
- Driver Injury Measures: All driver injury measures (head/neck, chest, leg/foot) were rated Good.
- Driver Restraints and Dummy Kinematics: Good.
Updated Moderate Overlap Test (for 2021-24 models):
The updated moderate overlap test introduced a rear passenger dummy to evaluate protection in the back seat. In this more stringent test, the 2021 Chevy Equinox received a Poor overall rating.
- Overall Evaluation: Poor.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Despite the poor overall rating, the structure and safety cage still earned a Good rating.
- Driver Injury Measures: Driver injury measures remained strong, with Good ratings for head/neck, chest, and thigh/hip, and Acceptable for leg/foot. Driver restraints were also rated Good.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures: This is where the Equinox faltered. Rear passenger injury measures for head/neck and chest were rated Poor, indicating a significant risk of injury to rear occupants in this type of crash. Rear passenger restraints were rated Good, but couldn’t compensate for other factors.
Images from the Updated Moderate Overlap Test:
Vehicle damage and airbag deployment after the updated moderate overlap test.
Rear passenger dummy head position remained a safe distance from the front seatback.
Rear passenger dummy injury values indicated likely head/neck and chest injury risk.
Rear passenger lap belt remained in the ideal position.
Technical measurements from the Updated Moderate Overlap Test:
| Measurement Category | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| Footwell Intrusion | |
| Footrest | 4 |
| Left | 6 |
| Center | 9 |
| Right | 8 |
| Brake Pedal | 3 |
| Instrument Panel Rearward Movement | |
| Left | 1 |
| Right | 1 |
| Steering Column Movement | |
| Upward | -3 |
| Rearward | -7 |
| A-Pillar Rearward Movement | 0 |
Driver Injury Measures in Updated Test:
| Injury Type | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 172 |
| Peak gs at contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.9 |
| Extension Moment (Nm) | 10 |
| Maximum Nij | 0.27 |
| Chest Compression | 29 mm |
| Left Femur Force | 0.2 kN |
| Right Femur Force | 0.2 kN |
| Left Knee Displacement | 0 mm |
| Right Knee Displacement | 0 mm |
| Left Tibia Index | 0.33 |
| Right Tibia Index | 0.41 |
| Left Tibia Axial Force | 1.3 kN |
| Right Tibia Axial Force | 2.0 kN |
| Left Foot Acceleration | 57 g |
| Right Foot Acceleration | 161 g |
Rear Passenger Injury Measures in Updated Test:
| Injury Type | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 (forward excursion) | No Contact |
| Peak gs at contact | No Contact |
| Maximum Nij (forward excursion) | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 4.3 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Chest Index | 55 |
| Shoulder Belt Tension | 8.3 kN |
| Left Femur Compression | 0.2 kN |
| Right Femur Compression | 0.2 kN |
Side Crash Tests: Original and Updated
Side impacts are another common and dangerous type of collision. Like the moderate overlap front test, the IIHS has updated its side crash test to be more challenging, reflecting real-world scenarios involving larger SUVs and trucks.
Original Side Crash Test (for 2018-24 models):
In the original side crash test, the 2021 Chevy Equinox earned a Good overall rating.
- Overall Evaluation: Good.
- Structure and Safety Cage: Good.
- Driver Injury Measures: All driver injury measures (head/neck, torso, pelvis/leg, head protection) were rated Good.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures: Similarly, all rear passenger injury measures were rated Good.
Updated Side Crash Test (for 2018-24 models):
The updated side crash test uses a heavier barrier and higher impact speed, making it significantly more demanding. In this updated test, the 2021 Chevy Equinox received a Marginal overall rating.
- Overall Evaluation: Marginal.
- Structure and Safety Cage: The structure still held up well, earning a Good rating.
- Driver Injury Measures: Driver protection remained relatively good, with Good ratings for head/neck, pelvis, and head protection, but the torso received a Marginal rating.
- Rear Passenger Injury Measures: Rear passenger protection was weaker. Head/neck and torso received Acceptable ratings, pelvis remained Good, but rear passenger head protection was rated Marginal due to the dummy’s head contacting the C-pillar through the side curtain airbag.
Images from the Updated Side Crash Test:
Vehicle damage just after the updated side crash test.
Side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment after door removal.
Greasepaint showing driver’s head protected by side airbags.
Rear passenger head contacted the C-pillar through the side curtain airbag.
Technical measurements from the Updated Side Crash Test:
| Measurement Category | Measurement (cm) |
|---|---|
| B-pillar Intrusion | -21.0 |
Driver Injury Measures in Updated Side Test:
| Injury Type | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 131 |
| Peak gs at contact | No Contact |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 1.3 |
| Compression (kN) | 0.5 |
| Shoulder Deflection | 44 mm |
| Shoulder Force | 1.4 kN |
| Torso Max Deflection | 43 mm |
| Torso Avg Deflection | 39 mm |
| Torso Max Deflection Rate | 3.63 m/s |
| Torso Max Viscous Criterion | 0.76 m/s |
| Pelvis Combined Force | 3.5 kN |
Passenger Injury Measures in Updated Side Test:
| Injury Type | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Head | |
| HIC-15 | 733 |
| Peak gs at contact | 101 |
| Neck | |
| Tension (kN) | 0.4 |
| Compression (kN) | 2.2 |
| Shoulder Deflection | 42 mm |
| Shoulder Force | 1.8 kN |
| Torso Max Deflection | 40 mm |
| Torso Avg Deflection | 36 mm |
| Torso Max Deflection Rate | 3.20 m/s |
| Torso Max Viscous Criterion | 0.60 m/s |
| Pelvis Combined Force | 3.0 kN |
Roof Strength Test
Roof strength is important in rollover crashes. The 2021 Chevy Equinox (tested as a 2018 model, rating applies to 2018-23) earned a Good rating in the roof strength test.
- Overall Evaluation: Good.
- Strength-to-weight ratio: 5.26. This indicates the roof can withstand over 5 times the vehicle’s weight before significant crush, a good result.
Other Safety Evaluations for the 2021 Chevy Equinox
Beyond crashworthiness, other safety features and systems are also evaluated.
Head Restraints & Seats
Whiplash protection in rear-end collisions is assessed through head restraint and seat evaluations. The 2021 Chevy Equinox with power leather seats received a Good overall rating for head restraints & seats.
- Overall Evaluation: Good.
- Dynamic Rating: Good.
- Seat/Head Restraint Geometry: Good.
Headlights
Headlight performance is crucial for visibility and accident prevention, especially at night. The IIHS evaluates headlights based on illumination and glare. The 2021 Chevy Equinox has three different headlight variations depending on the trim level.
- LT trim (HID projector headlights): Acceptable rating. Good low beam visibility on straightaways, but inadequate on left curves. High beam assist provides some compensation.
- Premier trim (LED projector headlights): Marginal rating. Good low beam visibility on straightaways, but inadequate on curves. High beams and high-beam assist are also limited.
- L and LS trims (Halogen projector headlights): Marginal rating. Good low beam visibility on straightaways, but inadequate on curves. High beam performance is mixed, and high-beam assist offers limited compensation.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Pedestrian
Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems are vital for preventing or mitigating frontal crashes.
- Vehicle-to-Vehicle Front Crash Prevention (for 2020-23 models): Superior rating. The standard automatic emergency braking system avoided a collision in the 12 mph test and significantly reduced impact speed in the 25 mph test. The system also meets forward collision warning requirements.
- Pedestrian Front Crash Prevention (Daytime, for 2019-24 models): Advanced rating. The standard front pedestrian braking system showed good performance in various pedestrian crossing scenarios, avoiding collisions in some tests and significantly reducing speed in others.
Seat Belt Reminders
Seat belt reminders encourage seat belt use, a primary safety measure. For 2021-22 models, the Chevy Equinox received a Poor rating for seat belt reminders.
- Overall Evaluation: Poor.
- Front Row Reminders: The front row reminder system was deemed inadequate due to negligible duration (under 8 seconds).
- Second Row Reminders: No startup status alert for the second row.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Ease of use of child seat anchors is important for proper child restraint installation. The 2021 Chevy Equinox received an Acceptable rating for child seat anchors.
- Overall Evaluation: Acceptable.
- LATCH System: The Equinox has 2 rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with only a tether anchor. Usability was rated as acceptable, with some minor issues like lower anchors not being the easiest to access in certain positions.
Conclusion: 2021 Chevy Equinox Safety Performance
The 2021 Chevy Equinox demonstrates a mixed bag in terms of safety performance based on IIHS evaluations. It excels in some areas, particularly in the small overlap front crash tests and vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, achieving “Good” and “Superior” ratings respectively. Head restraints and roof strength are also rated “Good,” and pedestrian front crash prevention is “Advanced.”
However, the Equinox shows weaknesses in the updated moderate overlap front test and updated side crash test, earning “Poor” and “Marginal” overall ratings respectively, especially concerning rear passenger protection in these more demanding scenarios. Headlight performance is also “Marginal” or “Acceptable” depending on trim, and seat belt reminders are rated “Poor.” Child seat anchor ease of use is “Acceptable.”
For potential buyers of a 2021 Chevy Equinox, it’s important to weigh these factors based on your individual needs and priorities. If rear passenger safety and advanced crash protection in newer, more challenging tests are paramount, the “Poor” and “Marginal” ratings in the updated moderate overlap and side tests should be a significant consideration. Conversely, strong performance in small overlap frontal crashes and front crash prevention systems are definite positives. Understanding these safety ratings in detail empowers you to make the most informed decision about the 2021 Chevy Equinox.
