The five-passenger compact Equinox is the top seller among SUVs in the Chevrolet lineup. Its exterior styling is updated for 2022 with new design for its grille, headlights, and front and rear fascias.

The previous base L model and 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine have been discontinued and a new RS trim has been added. All models are now powered by a 1.5-liter turbo-four generating 170 horsepower along with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Interior trim on LS and LT models is revised, and the top-tier Premium model offers a black grille with chrome inserts, new available 19-inch wheel design, and unique interior trim with French stitching.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability are standard.

The new Equinox lineup has four trim levels: LS ($27,195), LT ($28,295), RS ($31,495), and Premier ($32,395). These prices include a $1,195 destination charge. Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available for an extra $1,600.

Fuel economy ratings for a front-drive Equinox are 26 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. For all-wheel drive the numbers are 25/30 mpg.

My tester was the new RS model with all-wheel drive. It adds 19-inch dark wheels and sporty appearance touches such as black exterior trim and badging, black roof rails, a black interior with red stitching, and a unique sport-style shift knob.

Standard equipment highlights include an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-way lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, dual zone automatic climate control, LED headlights and taillights, a power liftgate, and a comprehensive list of safety and driver- assist features.

The tester’s bottom line was escalated by three optional packages: RS Leather ($1,580), Infotainment ($895) and Advanced Safety ($650), lifting total pricing past the $36,000 mark and putting a dent in the value appeal Equinox offers in LS and LT trims, which are nicely equipped.

Roominess inside the Equinox belies its compact proportions. Headroom is abundant, and even second-row passengers have lots of legroom. With second-row seats in use, there’s still 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space. With those seats folded down, cargo space expands to 63.9 cubic feet.

The level of comfort provided by the driver’s seat can be demonstrated by my drive down to Vancouver and back up to eastern Snohomish County in one day, with just a couple of quick rest-area stops, and then exiting the Equinox at home without looking like the before person in a pain-reliever commercial.

Infotainment operation is intuitive and the touchscreen responds quickly to input.

Equinox has friendly handling and provides a smooth and quiet ride in general but slacks off when faced with rough surfaces at freeway speeds. The effect is more prominent in the RS model, with its 19-inch wheels and low-profile tires.

Engine performance won’t please the power-hungry among us. Equinox is for the average compact SUV owner who just wants to get somewhere in comfort and safety, along with a bunch of stuff and decent fuel economy, and happens to be a Chevy fan.

2022 CHEVROLET EQUINOX RS AWD

Base price, including destination charge: $33,095

Price as driven: $36,020

Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.