2020 Audi Q3 vs 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
Two compact SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2020 Audi
Q3
6/10
Buy it for the interior and the driving manners, budget for electrical gremlins and a sunroof drain that hates its job.
VS
2020 Chevrolet
Equinox
5/10
Fine appliance, questionable brakes — get the 1.5T LT, skip the diesel and the AWD tank recall cars.
Milo scores the 2020 Audi Q3 higher — 6/10 against 5/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Audi Q3 |
Chevrolet Equinox |
| Known failure points | 6 | 5 |
| NHTSA complaints | 64 | 299 |
| Safety recalls | 2 | 4 |
| Service bulletins | 0 | 12 |
| Reliability | 58 | 52 |
| Cheap to own | 40 | 58 |
| Fun factor | 62 | 30 |
| Holds value | 48 | 45 |
| Enthusiast cred | 35 | 10 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2020 Audi Q3
Timing chain tensioner and PCV/oil separator issues typical of longitudinal EA888 applications, causing rattle on cold start and oil consumption
$1,200–$2,80040k–70k mi
2020 Chevrolet Equinox
1.5T timing chain stretch/tensioner noise (rattling on cold start) on early 2020 LE1 engines
$800–$2,00040k–80k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2020 Audi Q3
2020 Q3 45 TFSI quattro S-line Premium Plus or Prestige, black exterior with the optional 19-20" wheel package, verified full service history and a fresh sunroof drain service — this is the sweet spot of options without over-complicating the electronics.
✅ 2020 Chevrolet Equinox
2020 Equinox 1.5T LT FWD, built after mid-year 2020, with the brake caliper and LATCH recalls both completed — the sweet spot of value, efficiency, and the fewest early-build gremlins.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
First report free · then $10
Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.