Equinox Aesthetics
Externally, the Equinox is a tremendously sharp, symmetrical-looking vehicle. It projects strong Chevy DNA without being over the top. For 2007, a series of minor interior improvements has enhanced the spacious cabin, yet plenty of low rent plastics and uninviting flat surfaces continue to exist. Nonetheless, the instrument panel and centre stack are appealing while controls and switchgear are intuitively positioned- if you drive a Land Rover that is. As with many Land Rovers, the power window switches are positioned in the area of the shift lever, at the base of the centre stack, not on the doors. Once this oddity is accounted for, everything else falls into place. My richly equipped tester featured a touch-screen voice activated navigation system along with the numerous bells and whistles that accompany most mid-priced vehicles these days.
Noteworthy is the amount of rear seat legroom available, thanks to a perfectly flat floor and a rear seat the slides fore and aft to maximize either legroom or cargo space. This is a very useful feature in a compact SUV. Accompanying generous legroom at all seating positions is plenty of headroom. A relaxed driving position is easy to find however the absence of a telescoping steering wheel and/or adjustable foot pedals does limit the extent to which one can fine-tune positioning.
Equinox on the Road
The Equinox delivers comfort. Although I could easily decry the vague-feeling of its lazy electronic-powered steering and its slushy handling dynamics, I really enjoyed driving this little 'ute. It's quiet on the road and remarkably smooth riding; characteristics I prefer in these days of middle age. And let's face it, all but the most aggressive drivers will be content with the handling exhibited by the Equinox. They may however be slightly disappointed by its slack turning radius of 12.7 metres (41.8 ft), and due to notably wide A-pillars impeding visual lines, turning requires a driver's full attention.
Along with its pleasing ride, the Equinox returns decent fuel economy. GM rates the AWD version at 12.6 and 8.6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres of city and highway driving respectively (22 / 33 mpg). More important than fuel economy is safety. I am pleased that GM equipped the Equinox with 4-wheel antilock disc brakes and their StabiliTrak, vehicle stability control system as standard equipment.
Externally, the Equinox is a tremendously sharp, symmetrical-looking vehicle. It projects strong Chevy DNA without being over the top. For 2007, a series of minor interior improvements has enhanced the spacious cabin, yet plenty of low rent plastics and uninviting flat surfaces continue to exist. Nonetheless, the instrument panel and centre stack are appealing while controls and switchgear are intuitively positioned- if you drive a Land Rover that is. As with many Land Rovers, the power window switches are positioned in the area of the shift lever, at the base of the centre stack, not on the doors. Once this oddity is accounted for, everything else falls into place. My richly equipped tester featured a touch-screen voice activated navigation system along with the numerous bells and whistles that accompany most mid-priced vehicles these days.
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| Materials feel cheap, even though they look nice. |
Noteworthy is the amount of rear seat legroom available, thanks to a perfectly flat floor and a rear seat the slides fore and aft to maximize either legroom or cargo space. This is a very useful feature in a compact SUV. Accompanying generous legroom at all seating positions is plenty of headroom. A relaxed driving position is easy to find however the absence of a telescoping steering wheel and/or adjustable foot pedals does limit the extent to which one can fine-tune positioning.
Equinox on the Road
The Equinox delivers comfort. Although I could easily decry the vague-feeling of its lazy electronic-powered steering and its slushy handling dynamics, I really enjoyed driving this little 'ute. It's quiet on the road and remarkably smooth riding; characteristics I prefer in these days of middle age. And let's face it, all but the most aggressive drivers will be content with the handling exhibited by the Equinox. They may however be slightly disappointed by its slack turning radius of 12.7 metres (41.8 ft), and due to notably wide A-pillars impeding visual lines, turning requires a driver's full attention.
Along with its pleasing ride, the Equinox returns decent fuel economy. GM rates the AWD version at 12.6 and 8.6 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres of city and highway driving respectively (22 / 33 mpg). More important than fuel economy is safety. I am pleased that GM equipped the Equinox with 4-wheel antilock disc brakes and their StabiliTrak, vehicle stability control system as standard equipment.
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| Equinox comes equipped with many security system. |