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Chevrolet unveiled its all-new, third-generation Equinox tonight, on the day of the autumnal equinox. The timing was no coincidence. And much like the first day of fall represents a big change of the seasons, Chevy is hoping its latest compact crossover can usher in big changes in the popular CUV segment. The Equinox will do that with three separate turbocharged engines.
While the two turbocharged gas engines aren't a huge shock – there's a base, 1.5-liter four-cylinder and the same 2.0-liter turbo Buick uses in the Envision – it's the ultra-efficient turbodiesel that's likely to garner the most double takes. Diesel engines are very uncommon in the compact crossover segment. Chevy plucked the Equinox's newest engine from the Cruze, and we have a sneaking suspicion the 1.6-liter diesel will be right at home in the high-riding Equinox. There's 236 pound-feet of torque to play with, along with a more modest 136 horsepower.
As for those other engines, they're almost as impressive. The new entry level engine is down slightly on power over the last-generation 2.4-liter – there's 170 to last year's 182 horsepower – but there's a hefty increase in torque, from 172 to 203 lb-ft. The more powerful 2.0-liter turbo option makes 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, down significantly from the old 3.6-liter V6's 301 hp and 272 lb-ft. Still, both engines should serve as suitable replacements for their naturally aspirated forebears, since they're probably saddled with a lot less weight – Chevy claims it sucked 400 pounds of fat out of the Equinox's new body.
Chevy shares the Equinox's 2.0-liter turbo with the Buick Envision, but it gets its own nine-speed Hydra-Matic 9T50 automatic transmission that helps it return a manufacturer-estimated 28 mpg on the highway. Paired with the six-speed Hydra-Matic 6T40 and 6T45, respectively, the 1.5-liter is good for 31 mpg while GM claims the diesel will do 40 mpg on the interstate.
Beyond the advanced powertrains, Chevy plucked lots of great tech from other vehicles in the brand's portfolio. There's a Safety Alert seat, surround-view cameras, forward collision warning, low-speed automatic braking, and a rear-seat reminder. That's on top of expected features like a rearview camera with cross-traffic alert and blind-spot monitoring.
Chevrolet expects the 2018 Equinox to hit dealerships during the first quarter of 2017, with prices coming closer to launch.
Nice improvement! I liked the previous Equinox outside, its interior was a let down, lack of features such as keyless entry and start a deal breaker for us, we did consider an Equinox before we got the first Jeep in 2011.
This looks to be much better inside. I look forward to seeing the new GMC version.
I like the update. I had a 2010 version and liked everything but the 4 cyl engine that was bad news. It had all kind of problems. I traded mine in before I had the problems. The engine sounded like a sewing machine.
Do these new turbo engines require premium fuel like the NX?
Exterior looks pretty good......interior, so-so, even in the nice two-tone scheme. On the surface, it looks like all they did, with a couple of minor revisions, was more or less copy the 2Gen Cruze's interior...which, IMO, was not as impressive as the 1Gen Cruze.
Chevy's got a nice little video about it on their web site, showing the usual driving background...the Pacific Coast Highway.
Exterior looks meh and the interior is now like the other Chevy cars. I like the outgoing design much more. A diesel engine did surprise me and a 252hp option makes me wonder if Toyota will bring more power to the RAV4 which can get pretty pricey despite the mediocre HP rating.
The Traverse is actually quite large...done on the same platform as the sister GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave, which is the largest FWD SUV platform that GM produces, short of the RWD, full-size, truck-based Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon/Escalade series.
The Terrain shares the same mechanicals as the Equinox, but with a much different body/interior. Its more square, traditional styling makes the Terrain somewhat more space-efficient inside than the old Equinox (we'll have to wait for the interior specs and and see on the new one). Our Condo Board President has a Terrain...and regularly carries her two big Labradors in it.
i rented a traverse for over a week recently, so i'm pretty familiar with it! comfortable, roomy, pretty quiet, smooth, but pretty bland. decent overall.
Exterior looks meh and the interior is now like the other Chevy cars. I like the outgoing design much more. A diesel engine did surprise me and a 252hp option makes me wonder if Toyota will bring more power to the RAV4 which can get pretty pricey despite the mediocre HP rating.
I doubt it. The turbo option on the Escape hasn't prompted Toyota to add more power, so I'm not sure why this would. Same goes for the CX-5 and CR-V. I doubt Mazda or Honda will up their outputs as a result of this.
I doubt it. The turbo option on the Escape hasn't prompted Toyota to add more power, so I'm not sure why this would. Same goes for the CX-5 and CR-V. I doubt Mazda or Honda will up their outputs as a result of this.
I guess you are right. I can't remember the last time I saw Toyota add a larger more powerful option to their mainstream line
Really, whoever is in charge of GM's interior design should be fired. Every single car they make has amorphous, blob-like patches that look like soap bubbles pressed together. It looks like they simply smushed everything together until it fit.
Really, whoever is in charge of GM's interior design should be fired. Every single car they make has amorphous, blob-like patches that look like soap bubbles pressed together. It looks like they simply smushed everything together until it fit.
09-23-16 | 02:12 PM
2018 Chevy Equinox
