Last time we heard about the Chevrolet Equinox, GM said it was doing really good, posting sales increases every year since its 2009 launch. However, it appears that GM is not resting on its laurels and will give the SUV a mild refresh for the 2016 model year.

The automaker wants to make the Equinox more competitive against rivals like the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV-4, all of which are newer or have received more recent facelifts. Chevrolet Car and Crossover marketing manager Steve Majoros told Edmunds the 2016 Equinox will be unveiled within a couple of months and that it will be an important product for Chevrolet.

While he didn’t say what will change on the 2016 Equinox, sources from within the company said the SUV will get a deeper, wider grille with horizontal chrome inserts, similar to the grilles of the 2015 Cruze and Traverse.

The front fascia will be restyled and the interior will get an update, possibly including new upholsteries. These changes should be enough to keep the Equinox relevant until the model’s full redesign, expected to happen in 2017 at the earliest.

The 2016 Equinox will arrive in Chevrolet showrooms next year. Since its 2009 launch, the Equinox hasn’t received any exterior or interior updates. Chevrolet sold more than 238,000 Equinox vehicles last year and nearly 221,000 units this year through November.

Note: 2015 Chevrolet Equinox pictured

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