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1.5L vs 2.0L

27K views 51 replies 22 participants last post by  oversixfoot 
#1 ·
What's up guys? This is my first post here. We are in the market for a "new" car for my fiancée. We are pretty much decided on a 18+ equinox premier, it seems to be the best value currently. The main thing that I'm still undecided on is the powerplant. I've done some research but haven't uncovered much info for the 1.5 vs 2.0.

I like that the 2.0 comes with the 9 speed, although I don't know anything about either transmission. (I know the Terrain has the 9 speed with the 1.5 but not sure she would consider it.) However the MPG loss and premium fuel requirement is a big negative, especially with gas shooting up like it has been. Although Car and Driver claims they got better highway MPG with the 2.0.

I would love to hear any insight you guys have on the engine options and what may have swayed you to one or the other.

This is how I would rank our wants,
1) Reliability
2) MPG
3) Power
 
#8 ·
I had a Terrain with the 1.5 and it got much better mileage than the 2.0 loaner I had. Not sure how the Equinox would compare. I might lean towards the 2.0 just for the 9 speed in the Equinox. In the Terrain the 1.5 is more than adequate. It was just as good as any other base engine CUV on the market.
 
#9 ·
I have a new 2021 1.5 AWD Equinox. The 1.5 is definitely under-powered for my taste. However, my vehicle is a highway commuter, so it doesn't bother me. It is rather sluggish from a stop, but the acceleration is better in the higher gears. If I did more city driving, I would definitely want the 2.0.

Just my $0.02.
 
#10 ·
I have a 2020 Terrain 1.5 SLE 9speed great little power train. In heavy stop and go I use L7 in light traffic I use L8 that's my general area. On the freeway I use L9, using the L range stops the stop go feature from working. Average 32 MPG highway 28 MPG city when the weather cools off the MPG drop apx 1 to 2 MPG. In the summer I pull a 1,500 trailer, weight of a jetskie and trailer, the power hardly drops how ever the MPG drop about 3 MPG. I tow at highway speeds truck and trailer handle very good. Average 23,000 miles the first year looks like it's going to be about the same this year. NOTE, jetskies are heavy however they do tow good because their design cuts through the wind unlike a box trailer.
 
#11 ·
I appreciate all the responses. I have a truck so would more than likely not need to tow with the Equinox. I guess a light load on a road trip is a possibility. We are probably buying from Carmax so I'm not sure we will be able to test drive a 2.0 car. (They don't have any nearby)

Interesting zbrad, I would have thought the other way around. Her work commute is only ~7 miles, most of which is highway. Sounds like we need to test drive the 2.0 or at least the terrain with the 9 speed.

We're going to Carmax tonight after work so I will report back. Thanks again everyone
 
#12 ·
What's up guys? This is my first post here. We are in the market for a "new" car for my fiancée. We are pretty much decided on a 18+ equinox premier, it seems to be the best value currently. The main thing that I'm still undecided on is the powerplant. I've done some research but haven't uncovered much info for the 1.5 vs 2.0.

I like that the 2.0 comes with the 9 speed, although I don't know anything about either transmission. (I know the Terrain has the 9 speed with the 1.5 but not sure she would consider it.) However the MPG loss and premium fuel requirement is a big negative, especially with gas shooting up like it has been. Although Car and Driver claims they got better highway MPG with the 2.0.

I would love to hear any insight you guys have on the engine options and what may have swayed you to one or the other.

This is how I would rank our wants,
1) Reliability
2) MPG
3) Power
The 2.0t is the way to go but requires premium fuel
 
#14 ·
I'm going to have to call bull on those that are saying there is no difference in fuel economy between the 1.5L and 2.0L. I think it depends on how you drive and the conditions/environment you drive in. There is no way a 2L T can get the numbers I am getting on my 1.5L. I am typically averaging under 7 L/100km range with a best of 4.5L/100kms. That is 34 (worse case average) to 52 mpg. my drives are typically to commute to work which is 50% secondary highway and 50% relatively light city driving.
It really all depends on what you place as as priority, power or fuel economy. The 1.5L is more than adequate, particularly if you go FWD. Plus it was designed for regular unleaded so no need to consider or use premium fuel. I have had my '18 Nox FWD for close to two years now and have no complaints. I will say that when fully loaded (maybe overloaded) on long road trips it certainly could use a few more Hp but this is typically only a couple times a year and none in the last year due to Covid. Still, it is more powerful than the SUV I had prior, '17 Toyota Rav4.
 
#17 ·
US gallon conversion. Surprised me as well but when cruising along at low rpm with little boost the engine isn't working very hard. Certainly changes at higher speeds (75+mph) with the added wind resistance. Then it starts creeping back to the low 30 mpg.
 
#16 ·
The difference is a mere 32.76 cubic inches. I am not so cheap or nearly broke that another $5-10 a month in fuel is going to bother me. Except for hot summer days or towing, we run mid grade fuel. Mileage actually improves due to mid grade and premium fuel having less ethanol than 87 octane tractor gas. Plus I like having that power there if needed to dodge traffic or tow a trailer . Daughter's 2019 2.0 AWD mileage is no no change from her previous 2019 1.5 AWD.
 
#18 ·
I spent nearly 9 yrs driving an Explorer that struggled to get 17mpg at the best of times so I learned to be light on the throttle. I carried this into my newer vehicles and it pays off in great fuel economy. I actually don't need the temptation of high power daily, I would get in too much trouble. I also have a Mustang for that 🤪
Maybe there was something not quite right with your daughters 1.5L or something to do with the added drag/weight of AWD.
 
#21 ·
Below is from the fuelefficiency.gov site. It seems the 2.0l economy hit is higher in city driving which isn't really a surprise. It might not seem like much between them until you look at the fuel cost estimate over 5 yrs. That is money I can spend better elsewhere. Also good to see I'm doing far better than expected in my case.


Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk
 
#22 ·
Very interesting discussion. There are just so many variables. What works well for one person does not for another, and so forth. What has prompted me to comment is Reply #14, regarding the fuel mileage of the 1.5L
We have had our 2019 Eq LS 1.5T now for just a year. This car is used almost totally in short trips around a small town. It has been quite consistently getting around 27 mpg. And when we occasionally run it on the freeway at 75, it is not much better.
HOWEVER, when we travel secondary highways at 65 mph or less, the picture is totally different, producing upper 30's easily. (nearly 40 on one occasion) -even with mountain driving. To me it is obvious that the average power level required with wind resistance at 75mph is simply too much for the 1.5 to operate anywhere it's peak efficiency. (and BTW, I have no experience with the 2.0L)
So, with all that being said, the 1.5L is serving us fine for what we really need it for. Sure, the turbo lag was something for me to get used to, but it is what it is. -a small engine in an average sized car.

Quite happily, we have our 2015 Impala 3.6L for all of our open road travelling needs. And it REALLY shines in that mode. I have never reset the "trip B" mpg gage since the car was born. And to this day it is still just slightly over 30 mpg.

But our little 1.5L Equinox is serving us very well as our everyday around town car.
 
#24 ·
2020 2.0L AWD

When my wife drives it she really sticks her foot in it and I see the average 50 mile MPG has dropped to the high teens, like 18 to 19 MPG, in city driving. When I drive in the city I always see 23 - 25 MPG. Highway is 29 - 33 MPG. These are with AWD off.

I do use the adaptive cruise control a lot and that seems to help the MPG. She refuses to use cruise control.

I drove a used 2018 1.5L (30,000 miles) at the dealer up an entrance ramp and back in a circle. Then I did it with a 2.0L. Accelerating up the entrance ramp and merging had me sticking my foot in it with two adults inside with the 1.5L. The 2.0L had a lot of margin. But that is a very small amount of anyone's driving.
 
#25 ·
Okay, we did a little 90 mile round trip today. (For the past couple of days since re-fueling the car had short-tripped here, and the MPG was reading 27.) After running 75mph on the interstate to our destination the mpg was reading a little under 26. On the return trip we took a secondary highway at mostly 70mph, with some areas a little slower. Just as we got back into town here, the mpg was exactly 30. To be fair, there was a slight wind, somewhat head-wind, maybe 5mph going over. When returning it was about the same, or less, maybe a little true tail-wind, but mostly on our right rear corner.

So, that was my "on the road report" for today.

Even though we are completely satisfied with our little 1.5T here around town, I think I personally would suggest something different for any substantial amount of travelling at freeway speeds. I am definitely of the opinion that at 75mph our 1.5T is having to work too far outside of its efficiency range.

Today I was wondering if you had made your selection yet?
And something I always have to remind myself is this:
1. I am not "married to a car." (although I admit there are times it can feel like it,,,,)
2. If there is something about it I really don't want to live with, then a change can be made. (-or it could be said like this, "heck I was car shopping when I found this one, and I'll bet there are still plenty of others out there somewhere.)

So whatever you decide, I hope you find a sweet deal on it, and that it serves you well.
(BTW, ours is a 2019 LS model,1.5T, with selectable AWD, running 99% of the time in FWD only)
 
#26 ·
Okay, we did a little 90 mile round trip today. (For the past couple of days since re-fueling the car had short-tripped here, and the MPG was reading 27.) After running 75mph on the interstate to our destination the mpg was reading a little under 26. On the return trip we took a secondary highway at mostly 70mph, with some areas a little slower. Just as we got back into town here, the mpg was exactly 30. To be fair, there was a slight wind, somewhat head-wind, maybe 5mph going over. When returning it was about the same, or less, maybe a little true tail-wind, but mostly on our right rear corner.
Even though we are completely satisfied with our little 1.5T here around town, I think I personally would suggest something different for any substantial amount of travelling at freeway speeds. I am definitely of the opinion that at 75mph our 1.5T is having to work too far outside of its efficiency range.
Well said post.
The paragraph quoted above is my favorite.
 
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#29 ·
Every forgets that Gov. EPA estimates are done at 55 mph highway. At any faster speeds all bets are off.
You will always beat the fuel ''ratings'' at 55 mph.
They do those tests on a chassis dyno, not on the road BTW.
 
#30 ·
I'm not sure why there is a perception that the 1.5L would labour to maintain hwy speeds vs the 2.0L. if it take 50hp to maintain a constant 75mph I would not say either of these engines are labouring. I have loaded mine with easily 900lbs of people and cargo for 8 hr highway trips and not once did it feel laboured. Sure, it wasn't in the sweet spot getting 50mpg but it was quietly cruising along at 2200-2300rpm (going from memory) and only requiring light throttle. And unlike my previous Toyota Rav4, never once needed to downshift to maintain speed. Doesn't matter the wind direction or if I was going over hills (Northern MI for reference). Now if I lived in truly mountainous areas, yep, I would be inclined to consider the 2.0L. Not sure where the OP lives but it looks like they prioritize fuel economy over power. On that measure the 1.5L wins.
My reference again is my previous SUV, 2017 Rav4. That felt underpowered and laboured on the hwy. Simply going over an overpass or passing a semi and hitting extra wind resistance would make it drop 1 or 2 gears just to maintain speed. My Nox has never done this since even the 1.5L T makes plenty of torque at those engine speeds.
 
#32 ·
I have no qualms loosing a little bit of mileage to gain another 82HP. Loss of a mpg or not the 2.0 is still better than a 1970's full size van hauling the same load at the same speed.
In fact the wife's 6.2 has better mileage than our old 2015 5.3 and my son's 2019 5.3 .
So what is the right mode for MPG on the DIC avg, instant total etc..?

I only have 450 miles on a 2020 1.5 terrain and seems what ever method I use it read in the teens in the city. Have been only doing city driving. Neither my wife or me drive with a heavy foot. Will the MPG get better with more miles on it?
 
#35 ·
Might also be a result of how congested your city streets are, how much stop and go and if you have a lot of elevation changes. I have never seen anything that low but the city driving I do isn't that congested and SW Ontario will challenge the plains out west for lack of any elevation. Two summers ago I was averaging in the low 30's but we had a lot of road construction and therefore a lot of idling with constant stop/go. Drove me nuts.
 
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