If you're scoping out a 2022 equinox interior, you'll find it's a pretty practical place to spend your commute. It doesn't try to be a luxury spaceship, and honestly, that's part of its charm. Chevrolet focused on making things easy to reach, comfortable to sit in, and simple enough that you aren't digging through five sub-menus just to turn down the air conditioning. Let's get into the nitty-gritty of what it's actually like to sit inside one of these.
First Impressions and General Layout
The first thing you notice when you climb into the cabin is how open it feels. Chevy went with a "wraparound" dash design that flows into the door panels, which helps the front seat area feel wider than it actually is. It's a very functional space. You won't find any weird experimental gear shifters or confusing button layouts here. Everything is exactly where your hand expects it to be.
For the 2022 model year, they kept the user-friendly vibe but tidied up some of the textures. There's a nice mix of materials, though you'll still find some hard plastics lower down on the doors and center console. But hey, that's standard for this class, and those harder surfaces are actually easier to wipe down if you've got kids or pets making a mess.
Tech and Infotainment That Just Works
We've all been in cars where the screen is laggy or the menu makes no sense. Thankfully, the 2022 equinox interior avoids that headache. It comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, but if you look at the higher trims, you get a bigger 8-inch version. Both run the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, which is widely considered one of the easiest systems to use on the market right now.
The best part? Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. In a world where we're constantly juggling charging cables, being able to just hop in and have your maps and Spotify pop up automatically is a huge win. There are also plenty of USB ports scattered around—including a couple for the folks in the back—so no one has to fight over who gets to charge their phone.
Let's Talk About the Seats
If you're planning on taking a road trip, the seats are going to be your best friend or your worst enemy. In the Equinox, they lean toward the supportive side. The base trims come with a durable premium cloth that feels like it can take a beating. If you move up to the Premier trim, you get perforated leather-appointed seats that definitely elevate the vibe.
One thing Chevy gets right is the rear-seat legroom. You can actually fit three adults back there without them feeling like sardines. There's about 39.9 inches of legroom in the rear, which is competitive for the compact SUV segment. Plus, the floor is nearly flat, so the person stuck in the middle seat doesn't have to straddle a giant hump in the floor.
The New RS Trim Vibe
New for 2022 was the RS trim, and it's probably the most stylish version of the 2022 equinox interior. If the standard interior feels a bit "safe," the RS adds some much-needed attitude. You get black upholstery with contrasting red stitching, which sounds like a small detail, but it really changes the energy of the cabin. It also gets a specific RS shift knob and some blacked-out trim pieces that replace the usual chrome. It's a great middle ground for people who want a family car that doesn't look like a "mom car" on the inside.
Cargo Space and Versatility
The Equinox might not have the absolute largest trunk in its class, but it makes very good use of the space it has. Behind the rear seats, you've got about 29.9 cubic feet of room. That's enough for a big grocery haul or a few suitcases.
If you need more, the rear seats have a 60/40 split and fold almost completely flat. When they're down, the cargo capacity jumps to 63.9 cubic feet. One little detail I personally love is the hidden storage compartment under the rear cargo floor. It's the perfect spot to stash a laptop bag, emergency kit, or anything else you don't want rolling around or sitting in plain sight.
Noise and Comfort on the Road
Chevrolet included Active Noise Cancellation as a standard feature across all trims, which is a bit of a hidden gem. It uses microphones to listen for annoying road and engine drones and then pumps out opposing sound waves through the speakers to cancel them out. The result is a cabin that stays surprisingly quiet even when you're cruising at highway speeds. It makes it a lot easier to have a conversation without feeling like you're shouting over the wind.
Storage for the Small Stuff
It's the little things that make a daily driver liveable. The 2022 equinox interior features a deep center console bin that can swallow quite a bit of gear. There's also a handy little tray right in front of the shifter where you can toss your phone or keys. The door pockets are decent-sized, too, with enough room for a standard water bottle. It feels like the designers actually thought about where people put their stuff during a morning commute.
Comparing the Trims
If you're trying to decide which version of the interior is right for you, here's a quick breakdown:
- LS: This is the base model. It's simple, functional, and uses cloth seating. It's great if you're on a budget but still want the core tech features.
- LT: A step up that adds a power driver's seat and a few more chrome accents. This is usually the volume seller because it hits the sweet spot of price and features.
- RS: As mentioned, this is the sporty one. Darker themes, red accents, and a more aggressive look.
- Premier: This is the "luxury" version. You get the 8-inch screen, French-stitched leather, and ambient lighting. If you want the fanciest 2022 equinox interior possible, this is it.
Safety Features You Can See
The interior isn't just about screens and seats; it's also where you interact with the safety tech. The Equinox comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist. This includes things like Lane Keep Assist and a Following Distance Indicator that pops up in the instrument cluster. The icons are clear and not overly distracting, which helps you stay aware of your surroundings without feeling nagged by the car.
Final Thoughts on the Cabin
To wrap things up, the 2022 equinox interior is built for real life. It's not trying to win any high-fashion awards, but it succeeds in being a comfortable, tech-savvy, and durable space. Whether you're hauling kids to soccer practice or just driving yourself to work, it feels like a well-thought-out environment.
The combination of physical knobs for the climate control (thank goodness!), a snappy touchscreen, and generous legroom makes it a very easy car to live with. If you value practicality and straightforward tech over flashy gimmicks, you'll likely feel right at home behind the wheel. It's one of those interiors that just makes sense the moment you sit down, and in today's world of over-complicated car cabins, that's a breath of fresh air.