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By New Car Test Drive
Five-seat crossover SUV improved for 2009.
Introduction
Chevrolet Equinox has been improving every year since its introduction. The Chevy Equinox gets more standard equipment, including XM satellite radio and side-curtain airbags. Five different sound systems are available on the Chevrolet Equinox models, along with Bluetooth wireless connectivity for hands-free cell phone use.
Chevy Equinox is a five-passenger vehicle that competes with the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4 compact SUVs. However, Equinox is bigger and roomier than any of these competitors. The Equinox offers acres of legroom for tall rear-seat passengers with the seat moved rearward, loads of cargo space with the seat moved forward.
The dimensions of the Equinox blur the line between compact and midsize sport utilities. It's nearly 14 inches longer than Ford Escape and just three inches shorter than a Chevy TrailBlazer. Its long wheelbase gives the Equinox good stability and ride quality. Unlike the RAV4, the Equinox does not offer a (hopelessly cramped) third row of seats.
As with the Escape, CR-V, and RAV4, the Equinox is based on a passenger-car design but has an interior like a traditional SUV. Industry observers call these vehicles crossover utilities, or crossovers, because they crossed over the line from truck to car.
Equinox has features that enhance its versatility: The back seats are mounted on tracks and slide fore and aft: Slide forward and you have more cargo space, slide rearward for more rear legroom. The rear seatbacks recline for additional comfort. Fold the rear seats down, then fold down the front passenger seatback, and you can load eight-foot objects inside.
A 3.4-liter V6 powers the Equinox along with a five-speed automatic transmission, netting an EPA-rated 17/24 miles per gallon City/Highway.
All Equinox models are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive models are better on snow and ice, but cost about $2,000 more and have smaller gas tanks.
The top-line Equinox LTZ features leather-trimmed seats with seat heaters and an optional navigation system.
The more powerful Equinox Sport features a 3.6-liter V6 and six-speed automatic. The Sport features a more aggressive look and sporting cabin. The Sport gets hydraulic (as opposed to electric) power steering, a tighter suspension, 18x8-inch polished, forged alloy wheels with 50-series tires, aerodynamic spoilers and rocker moldings, dual chrome exhaust tips, a gauge package, and sport seats. Along with an 80-horsepower boost from GM's high-feature four-cam V6, the Sport gets an EPA-rated 16/24 mpg.
We found the Equinox offers decent ride quality, responsive handling, with brakes that are easy to modulate. The Sport rides more firmly but reacts quicker and more precisely.
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