My experience with the Equinox was very positive with most of the negatives centered around the feel of the control levers and buttons, the position of the parking brake on the right side of the driver's seat, and the window switch location at the bottom on the dash extension. For me, the bottom line is that this is a tall station wagon for those who like the higher seating position and the trendy nature of SUVs.
Unemployed young male's view: The back seats were too hard, but you can partial adjust the rake, and the feature I really did like was the way you can slide them seven-inches forward or back to give you more legroom or cargo room. The 60/40 split rear seats easily fold down so you can make a fairly level rear cargo hold. You don't even have to remove the headrests, which is great for such a tidy sized SUV. Also, you can fold down the passenger seat to carry longer objects. I liked this feature because most people are either hauling cargo or people, and with the ability to move the seats you can maximize the interior for your needs.
Handling is fairly good for such a tall vehicle. But beware, the emotionless steering makes it easy to turn too sharply and the Equinox, as well as all SUVs, is top heavy and does not react well to sudden turns. The Chevrolet's long wheelbase makes for a more relaxed ride over rough highways. Indeed, the Equinox handled bumpy roads far better than the new Dodge Durango we just reviewed, although, the Dodge had a tighter turning radius despite being much longer.
Enjoyable, matter-of-fact, thrifty, and functional, the Equinox only lacks some performance sparkly to kindly my interest.
Family conference: This is not the quietest, not the quickest, not the most efficient, not the best handling, not the least expensive, not the best off-road, not the strongest small SUV and yet the Equinox is remarkably competent and deserving of attention. This Chevrolet takes the middle ground in a competitive sales niche, and would be a second choice in this segment only because of the limits of its engine. The Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute have more power, but don't have the useful interior features or the quiet ride of the Chevrolet. If you opt for all wheel drive and other upgrades the price can surge past $28,000. So come to the dealership prepared for what you truly need and don't be afraid to act fast because this is a 2005 model meaning you have a free year of use before depreciation takes a real hit.
