Who makes the Chevy Equinox diesel engine?
The current Chevrolet Equinox does not offer a diesel engine in the United States, so there is no dedicated Equinox diesel engine to name as a supplier. If a diesel option existed for a Chevrolet compact SUV in the Duramax lineage, it would come from GM’s Duramax family, developed with Isuzu.
Current status of the Equinox diesel option
As of the latest model years, Chevrolet has not marketed a diesel-equipped Equinox in the U.S. or Canada. Buyers seeking diesel performance in the GM lineup typically look to trucks and larger SUVs that use Duramax engines. The Equinox, meanwhile, remains focused on gasoline and hybrid powertrains in North America.
Duramax: the engine family behind GM diesels
Before delving into whether the Equinox ever carried a diesel option, it helps to understand who makes Duramax engines and why they exist for GM vehicles. The Duramax family is GM’s line of diesel engines, developed in partnership with Isuzu. The engines are produced by DMAX, a GM-Isuzu joint venture, and are used across several light-duty trucks and some SUVs in GM’s portfolio.
- Duramax is GM’s diesel engine lineage, created through collaboration with Isuzu to deliver efficient, high-torque diesel power for pickups and SUVs.
- The engines in the Duramax family are assembled and manufactured by DMAX, a joint venture between General Motors and Isuzu Motors, at multiple facilities in North America and globally.
- Duramax variants have included 2.8L inline-4 and 3.0L inline-6 configurations, among others, and have powered models such as the Chevrolet Colorado, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Canyon, and GMC Sierra.
Below are key facts about the Duramax family and its production partners.
In summary, the Duramax engines are the product of a GM-Isuzu collaboration, produced by the DMAX joint venture, and GM has reserved the diesel option for specific models in its lineup—not the Equinox in current North American markets.
Why GM hasn’t offered diesel in the Equinox
Industry logic, cost considerations, and market demand have guided GM’s engine choices for the Equinox. Diesel engines add complexity, weight, and cold-start considerations for a compact SUV aimed at efficient city and highway driving. GM has instead focused on developing efficient gasoline engines and hybrids for the Equinox, while reserving Duramax diesel power for larger, higher-tayload vehicles in its lineup.
Market context and consumer considerations
For buyers who specifically want a diesel in a GM small SUV, options are limited in the Equinox line. If a diesel is essential, shoppers often turn to other GM models that offer Duramax power, or to lease/used-market opportunities where a diesel-equipped variant may have existed in past generations or different regions. Prospective buyers should review current model availability in their region, as offerings can change with model-year updates and regional strategy shifts.
Ultimately, the direct answer to who makes the Chevy Equinox diesel engine is: there isn’t a current diesel engine powering the Equinox in North America, and any hypothetical diesel variant would be part of GM’s Duramax lineup developed with Isuzu and produced by DMAX.
Summary
The Chevy Equinox does not currently use a diesel engine in its North American lineup. If a diesel option existed, it would involve GM’s Duramax family, developed with Isuzu and built by the DMAX joint venture. For now, Chevrolet’s Equinox relies on gasoline and hybrid powertrains, while Duramax engines power other GM vehicles in markets around the world.
How many miles per gallon does a 1.6 diesel Equinox get?
28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway
An EPA estimated 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway with the 1.6L Turbo-Diesel 4-cylinder engine.
Who makes the Chevy diesel engines?
General Motors (GM) makes Chevy diesel engines, which are marketed under the Duramax brand. These engines are produced by DMAX Ltd, a subsidiary of General Motors.
- Parent company: General Motors LLC is the parent company that owns DMAX Ltd.
- Production: The engines are manufactured by DMAX Ltd, a joint venture of GM and Isuzu that is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of GM.
- Location: Production takes place at the DMAX facility in Moraine, Ohio.
- Engine types: Duramax engines include the 6.6L V8, which is the most prominent, as well as inline-six and inline-four configurations.
Who makes the Equinox diesel engine?
GM's
The 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engine launched in 2018. It was produced at GM's Ramos Arizpe assembly facility in Mexico and replaced the Korean-built five-seat Captiva.
Why did Chevy stop making diesel Equinox?
``We no longer offer the diesel option on the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox due to low demand,'' GM's representative told me via email today.
