![]() ![]() Polished metal frames, tasteful stitching, and swaths of perforated leather provide a luxurious mood diminished only by a few more hard-plastic panels than one should see in a near-$40,000 crossover. It wouldn’t surprise us if the more potent engine does better.Īn extra-large sunroof cleared any hint of gloom in our test car’s black interior except for the rear-quarter areas, which are clouded by thick C- and D-pillars and tiny tinted windows. Flogging our 1.5-liter test car mercilessly to keep up with traffic and to savor its back-road handling prowess yielded a disappointing 21-mpg average. To improve the speed-to-ruckus ratio, we suggest waiting for the 2.0-liter engine, which brings nearly 50 percent more power and three more gears. Registering 81 decibels during full-throttle acceleration and cruising at 70 decibels, this Equinox also is noisier than its rivals. ![]() LOWS: Anemic acceleration, disappointing fuel economy, long reach to the touchscreen. Tapping the AWD button reduces the likelihood of wheelspin during hard acceleration, but engaging drive to the rear axle had no noticeable effect on cornering dynamics. There’s enough roll stiffness to keep the cabin right with the world through flat-out sweepers. The first observation was a ride supple enough to take the sting out of troubled pavement and no quakes reverberating through the significantly stiffer body structure. To see how much the improved cornering and braking performance benefits dynamic behavior, we gave the new Equinox a chance to show its stuff on our local ersatz Nordschleife course. In addition, this crossover’s brake pedal is firm underfoot and easy to modulate when you’re intent on slowing aggressively without triggering ABS. When traffic abruptly grinds to a halt, that distance can be the difference between a near miss and a heavy crash. We also found exemplary braking with a 70-mph-to-zero stopping distance of 161 feet, a surprising 5-to-23-foot advantage over competitors. All but the Escape were equipped with all-wheel drive when we tested them. Riding on 235/50R-19 Hankook Ventus all-season radials, the new Equinox saw cornering grip jump from 0.79 to 0.86 g, allowing this new version to spank key competitors such as the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forester, and Toyota RAV4. ![]() Exceeding $40K will be possible when the powertrain lineup fleshes out this summer with a 137-hp 1.6-liter turbo-diesel and a 252-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter gas-burning four-cylinder.Ĭompared with the previous Equinox, this third-gen model is some 350 pounds lighter on our scales, a significant slimming down given its greater load of creature comforts and safety features. A teen-driver system sets speed warnings and maximum audio-system volume and can be programmed to provide a tattletale report card.Īdding but two options to our lavishly outfitted Premier hiked its total price past $39,000: $395 for Cajun Red paint plus a $3320 Sun, Sound, and Navigation package that includes a power sunroof, 19-inch bright-finished aluminum wheels, navigation, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, and HD radio reception. An elaborate array of sensors and cameras provides blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, a rearview camera, and a bird’s-eye view of your perimeter. This Equinox’s list of advanced safety features includes forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automated low-speed braking, although adaptive cruise control is not included. The OnStar communication system includes a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, while the Chevy MyLink setup is commanded through an 8.0-inch touchscreen and offers Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Starting at $35,330 with all-wheel drive, the Premier includes a six-speed automatic transmission, LED head- and taillamps, leather trim, driver and front passenger seats with both heat and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity entry, and remote starting. HIGHS: Excellent handling, roomy accommodations, comprehensive safety and convenience features.Īs its name suggests, the Premier is as good as it gets for the Equinox, the top rung of a four-step ladder. ![]()
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