The front seats deserve kudos for their reasonable amount of comfort, however stuffing three of your adult friends on the rear bench will be difficult. The entire cabin is disappointingly narrow, quite the opposite that the bodywork would suggest. The trunk is cramped and will carry nothing more than a week's worth of groceries and your latest acquisitions from Banana Republic.
Thankfully, fit and finish are OK and materials are generally good. Also, the Terrain's passenger quarters are amongst some of the quietest I have experienced in this category or price range. Even at speeds exceeding 120 km/h, a normal conversation could take place between front and second-row occupants.
4 or 6, makes no difference
Where performance is concerned. I’ll be honest; my tester was equipped with the base 182-hp, 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. I did not have the V6 which is a 3.0L and puts out, on paper, 264 hp. The explanation for the title of the section is as follows. When I test drove the 2010 Equinox last year, I got to evaluate both sources of power back to back, although I did not know it until I opened the bonnet. I should probably abstain from making this comment but it only supports the fact that the 4-pot is more than sufficient for daily duties.
Providing 172 lb-ft of torque, the ECOTEC engine manages the Terrain’s 1,725-kg (3,800-lb) frame. My returned fuel economy number of 11L/100 km is superior to that predicted by GM as is often the case. Don’t get me wrong, the V6 has more oomph at higher engine speeds but the cost ($2,050 for the unit) will be 20% more fuel.
Why the Equinox and Terrain sell
Smooth and quiet. That’s why. By comparison, a CR-V has a terribly punishing ride. The Escape and Tribute are farm tractors. Even the RAV4 is buzzy and loud. The Terrain’s 4-wheel independent suspension is more akin to that found on a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood than a modern road car. And obviously, there are many consumers that appreciate it. I for one found it refreshing at first but soon wished for something with less sway.
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| My tester was equipped with the base 182-hp, 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
Thankfully, fit and finish are OK and materials are generally good. Also, the Terrain's passenger quarters are amongst some of the quietest I have experienced in this category or price range. Even at speeds exceeding 120 km/h, a normal conversation could take place between front and second-row occupants.
4 or 6, makes no difference
Where performance is concerned. I’ll be honest; my tester was equipped with the base 182-hp, 2.4L 4-cylinder engine. I did not have the V6 which is a 3.0L and puts out, on paper, 264 hp. The explanation for the title of the section is as follows. When I test drove the 2010 Equinox last year, I got to evaluate both sources of power back to back, although I did not know it until I opened the bonnet. I should probably abstain from making this comment but it only supports the fact that the 4-pot is more than sufficient for daily duties.
Providing 172 lb-ft of torque, the ECOTEC engine manages the Terrain’s 1,725-kg (3,800-lb) frame. My returned fuel economy number of 11L/100 km is superior to that predicted by GM as is often the case. Don’t get me wrong, the V6 has more oomph at higher engine speeds but the cost ($2,050 for the unit) will be 20% more fuel.
Why the Equinox and Terrain sell
Smooth and quiet. That’s why. By comparison, a CR-V has a terribly punishing ride. The Escape and Tribute are farm tractors. Even the RAV4 is buzzy and loud. The Terrain’s 4-wheel independent suspension is more akin to that found on a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood than a modern road car. And obviously, there are many consumers that appreciate it. I for one found it refreshing at first but soon wished for something with less sway.
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| The trunk is cramped and will carry nothing more than a week's worth of groceries. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |