![]() The Mazda CX-5 is a pleasure to drive and, like the Equinox, has a powerful optional motor. If you're in the market for a crossover with fewer drawbacks, consider the Honda CR-V, which has more cargo and passenger room, plus a more satisfying 1.5-liter turbo engine. (Thankfully, this is a stand-alone option at all trim levels.) Finally, even moderately sized passengers will balk at the limited rear headroom afforded by the panoramic sunroof. It feels slower than rival powerplants, and its fuel-saving stop-start function is annoying in operation and cannot be disabled. We're also not huge fans of the standard turbocharged 1.5-liter engine. The high cost of entry is a theme that repeats since the Equinox is more expensive than competitors when comparing trims on a feature-by-feature basis. The next-level LS costs thousands more and doesn't add much. ![]() It's special-order only, so you're unlikely to find one on a dealer lot. Don't get thrown off by the seemingly affordable base L trim level, either. The Equinox is priced higher than many of its rivals, for instance. Things, however, fall apart in execution. We also like that the Equinox is one of the few entries in the class that offer an upgraded engine. It also delivers a smooth, comfortable ride, and the seats are shaped for all-day comfort. There's plenty of legroom all around, and cargo space is definitely better than what you'll find in a comparably priced sedan or hatchback. The body sides get various creases and character lines, while the wheel arches are much less pronounced than before.Certainly, the Chevrolet Equinox does the SUV thing well. ![]() Stacked vertical taillights have been replaced by horizontal lamps that are visually connected by a full-width crease across the liftgate. The new model is only 0.9 inch lower and 0.1 inch wider, but it appears more squat. The redesigned face closely aligns the Equinox with new Chevy styling seen on the Cruze, the Malibu, and the Traverse. The headlights no longer encroach into the hood’s territory, and the grille, which now features active shutters, is higher and wider. The new Equinox isn’t knockout gorgeous-what small crossover is?-but the fresh styling imparts a restrained, handsome look, like a post-haircut Gordon Hayward. There is a smidge of body movement, specifically some dive during hard braking, but overall the suspension is firm and well damped, largely keeping disturbances to a minimum. The cabin is quiet, the sense of isolation enhanced by a chassis and suspension setup that’s more refined than in the previous Equinox. Engaging the AWD system also cures the torque steer, but in either mode the 2.0T feels legitimately quick, significantly more so than the 1.5T. One need not come to a stop to engage the rear axle, and once the button is pressed, all-wheel drive will remain engaged even if the car is turned off and restarted. ![]() If the car senses wheel slippage, it triggers an alert on the instrument cluster suggesting that the driver switch to all-wheel drive, which is accomplished by pressing a button on the center console. And when it is, there’s a noticeable amount of torque steer, because all-wheel-drive Equinoxes like the one we drove default to front-drive by decoupling the rear axle in the interest of fuel economy. The lower power peaks make more sense for a small SUV that’ll likely spend most of its time tooling around town-it’s better when the oomph is easily accessible.īoosted engines can have turbo lag, and, foot to the floor in the Equinox, there’s a definite pause before the bowstring is released. The 2.0’s output reaches 252 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque at 2500 rpm versus the previous V-6’s 301 horses at 6500 rpm and 272 lb-ft at 4800 rpm. The base, turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four with its modest 170 horsepower might trigger flashbacks, but the optional 2.0-liter turbo that replaces the previous 3.6-liter V-6 as the step-up choice has much more life, and it pairs with a new nine-speed automatic transmission that is smooth and well programmed. The new 2018 model wants to suppress those memories with a revamped engine lineup.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |