Equinox

This is the second generation of the Equinox,  it’s remarkable that a sophomore effort on the Equinox name delivers so highly. Key to Equinox’s success is a thoughtful collection of the following:

• Actual fuel economy improvement: The Equinox gets 32 miles per gallon and up to 600 miles from a tank of gas. For a long time the notion of a crossover was nice in theory but in practice never materialized much in the way of saving money for the user; now an Equinox buyer can have an SUV shape and cargo space with sedan-like efficiency. This is big.
• Use of higher-grade components: Direct-injection engines and six-speed transmissions cost a lot more money but allow for significant gains in fuel economy. The fact that Chevy is willing to spend the money to invest in these technologies at the 2010 Equinox price point is telling. (Cheat sheet: direct injection is an improvement from older engines as the fuel and air are directly injected into the cylinder, closer to where combustion happens and in a manner that’s much smarter; six speed transmissions are more efficient because having more gears allow you to run the vehicle at lower engine speeds — remember your bicycle?)
• Design that’s actually leading the market: It’s difficult to pull off a contemporary design that finds universal appeal, but the new Equinox is at once handsome and proud without being fussy. GM’s design impresario, Ed Welburn, is a cheerleader of simple, thoughtful designs and the Equinox is a shining example. Notice the lack of low-grade tacked-on plastic strips, strange design cut lines and other flourishes that we, sadly, became used to from GM throughout the 1990s and beyond.
• An interior to be proud of: While GM’s exterior design started coming on stream in the middle of the decade, its exteriors did not. The new Equinox is perhaps the first interior we’ve seen from GM that delivers on its promise. This could be the best execution in the entire lineup. It feels perfect for the Equinox.

In Pictures: 2010 Chevy Equinox

When you open up the door (which, by the way, feels like it’s certainly heavy enough — a very solid door tightly attached to its hinges, something that you won’t actually find everywhere in the industry) and step inside, the first thing you’ll notice is a very attractive waterfall center console, tightly organized between two long, trapezoidal air ducts. We could stand for fewer buttons (a dorm room boombox could be one analogy to the layout of the buttons on the radio and navigation system), but it is pleasing to look at. A nice, calming, liquid blue color is seen throughout the center console and instrument panel. It’s a very sophisticated look and, for the half dozen passengers we carried around during our week, was without question the first cause for comment. The interior is a hit aesthetically.

Functionally, some parts of the interior could use some revisions, however. While there are available steering-wheel-mounted controls (the 2LT and LTZ models come standard with them), those who opt for using their elongated arm to control the radio will find those knobs just barely out of reach, something that’s confounding at best and a bit of a safety hazard at worst. Instead of placing the audio knobs closer to hand, Chevy put the temperature controls closest to the driver. All operations of the radio are just about an inch or two out of our reach, making us lean forward and hunt and peck for the knob while barreling down the freeway. This is something worth changing.

In addition to the ergonomics of the audio controls, we picked up on a few nagging quality issues that reminded us of “old GM,” but they are so minor that we trust the company will see to a rapid fix. For example, the plastic piece surrounding the gear shift lever feels loosey-goosey and cheap. We hope this gets another look during the next model year.

It’s perhaps a tribute to the Equinox’s interior that the extent of our complaint is contained in the above notes. Every other aspect of the Equinox’s interior — from the comfortable seats (the rear sear seats have eight inches of travel, a nice touch for long rides) to the visibility (more than adequate, although like every car today we wish the front A-pillars were thinner) to the optional one-touch remote rear lift gate — will surprise an unsuspecting Chevy shopper. It’s packed with the sorts of thing drivers expect from much pricier cars. The Equinox, however, starts at $22,440. While our test vehicle broke $30,000 (it was the LTZ package with nearly ever option), you can easily find an all-wheel-drive model to your liking in the mid 20s.

The part we love most about the Equinox is its inherent value promise: economy of price and economy of fuel. The secret to the Equinox’s fuel-sipping success is the use of a new direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder model. Given the Equinox’s length (it’s only about three inches shorter than the larger, truck-based Trailblazer that was discontinued in 2009), you might think that a four-cylinder wouldn’t have enough oomph for the job. But this one does — in a week of driving in all sorts of different conditions with various amount of cargo and passenger loads, we fell in love with the little engine.

The 2010 Equinox is not defined as a car and not defined as an SUV but the best combination of both of these vehicles. The 2010 Equinox seats 5 and reflects Chevy’s outstanding quality in design, precision and utility capability. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is ranked #8 in Affordable Compact SUV’s by US News & World Report. The Chevy Equinox compact crossover reflects the quality and craftsmanship that Chevrolet puts in every vehicle. The 2010 Equinox is very hard to find on the lot of Hare Chevrolet which serves the Indianapolis area, because of the 32 MPG EPA rating on the highway and the smooth ride on the road. The 2010 Equinox has a very appealing cutting edge concept look, diverse design and first-rate performance. In fact, a recent review by Edmunds.com called the Equinox “just the right size” and complimented the fact that it was not as small as many compact SUV’s but also not as unwieldy as larger vehicles such as the Suburban.

The 2010 Equinox comes with a 4 or 6 cylinder engine. The 2010 all wheel drive Equinox LTZ model comes with an upgraded stereo, USB interface, BlueTooth, sunroof and even a motorized tailgate. There are also 8 different standard and optional packages to choose from. The 2010 Equinox is available in either FWD or AWD and packages including the LS, LT1, LT2 or LTZ. What does all this mean you’re thinking? This means you can personalize this vehicle for the options that you need for your family. Don’t forget you are surrounded by six airbags, the stabilitrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation to help your vehicle respond to the steering commands and traction control to help reduce wheel spin on gravel and slippery surfaces. The 2010 Equinox is not just about the options but the contemporary look, feel, mpg, multitude of options, affordability and versatility that fits your lifestyle.

VIEW EQUINOX INVENTORY

The Chevrolet Equinox is the perfect family vehicle, this spacious midsize SUV seat five comfortably and is available in four trim styles. All levels come optional with front wheel or all wheel drive. The base model is equipped with 16 inch wheels, air-conditioning, flat-folding front passenger seat, folding rear seat, cruise control, and satellite radio.

There are additional packages that can be added to the base such as 17-inch wheels, fog lamps, remote engine start, and dimming rearview mirror. All but the Sport model are equipped with a 3.4-liter V6 engine, 185 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. The Sport model boasts one of the most powerful engines for this class, a 3.6-liter V6, 264 hp and 250 lb-ft of torque The EPA fuel economy estimates, 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined. Even with the AWD version, the mileage only differs by 1 less city mpg with the 3.6-liter. Equinox optional features include a rear-seat entertainment system, a navigation system and a sunroof.

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*We make every effort to present information that is accurate. However, it is based on data provided by the vehicle manufacturer and/or other sources and therefore exact configuration, color, specifications & accessories should be used as a guide only and are not guaranteed. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any inaccuracies, claims or losses of any nature.  

2010 Equinox Coming Soon! Check out the new and improved features below!