2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2020 Honda CR-V
Two compact SUVs, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2020 Chevrolet
Equinox
5/10
Fine appliance, questionable brakes — get the 1.5T LT, skip the diesel and the AWD tank recall cars.
VS
2020 Honda
CR-V
6/10
Best-in-class practicality and comfort undercut by the 1.5L turbo's oil dilution issue — get the Hybrid and this becomes an easy 8.
Milo scores the 2020 Honda CR-V higher — 6/10 against 5/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Chevrolet Equinox |
Honda CR-V |
| Known failure points | 5 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 299 | 346 |
| Safety recalls | 4 | 7 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 52 | 68 |
| Cheap to own | 58 | 72 |
| Fun factor | 30 | 38 |
| Holds value | 45 | 80 |
| Enthusiast cred | 10 | 22 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2020 Chevrolet Equinox
1.5T timing chain stretch/tensioner noise (rattling on cold start) on early 2020 LE1 engines
$800–$2,00040k–80k mi
2020 Honda CR-V
CVT shudder/hesitation under load, especially in AWD models towing or climbing grades
$3,000–$4,50040k–80k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 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.
✅ 2020 Honda CR-V
2020 CR-V Hybrid EX or EX-L — sidesteps the 1.5T oil dilution issue entirely, gets better real-world fuel economy, and has stronger low-end torque than the turbo.
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
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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.