Chevy Equinox Diesel Gets 39-mpg Highway Rating

General Motors Co. says the diesel front-wheel-drive variant of its 2018 Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover/SUV has a best-in-class highway fuel efficiency rating of 39 mpg from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Chevy diesel even bests the EPA highway ratings for the hybrid-electric versions of the Nissan Rogue (35 mpg) and Toyota RAV4 (30 mpg), Chevy notes. The carmaker hasn’t released the Equinox diesel’s city or combined EPA ratings or that of the all-wheel-drive model.

The all-new Equinox’s optional 1.6-liter diesel features a variable-geometry turbocharger and generates 137 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, of which 90% is available at 1,500 rpm. GM developed the new diesel powerplant at its product center in Torino, Italy.

In addition to the diesel engine, the Equinox comes with a choice of two turbocharged gasoline engines: a 1.5- and 2.0-liter mill. The smaller engine makes 170 hp/203 lb-ft of torque and returns an estimated 32 mpg, while the 2.0-liter engine is rated at 252 hp/260 lb-ft and 29 mpg highway.

The diesel and 1.5-liter gasoline engines are mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission and an automatic stop-start system. The 2.0-liter mill is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The Equinox diesel will arrive in U.S. dealer showrooms this autumn with a starting price of $31,400.