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2008 Chevrolet Equinox Review
Roomy. After many years of serving the cute SUV market with the Suzuki-supplied Tracker, Chevrolet eventually came up with its own product, the Equinox. Though it borrowed its underpinnings from another GM product, the Saturn VUE, Chevy's version ended up having some pretty marked differences. The Equinox got its own engine, better seats, and an interior with cleaner ergonomics. Yet what really sets the Equinox apart (from the VUE or otherwise) is its size. The Equinox's body measures 189 inches, making it longer than any other compact SUV. The payoff goes to rear passengers, who benefit further from a bench seat that can slide fore/aft to accommodate people of any size. In fact, comfort seems to be the first priority, judging by its slow, light steering, soft suspension, and wide turning circle. The Equinox is definitely one of the lazier-driving SUVs. Laziness is also apparent in its design. The Equinox's main engine is an aged pushrod 3.4-liter V6 that makes only 185 horsepower and gets mediocre mileage. Its main transmission is a 4-speed automatic, and the optional all-wheel-drive system is known for its slow reactions. For 2008, the Equinox gained a new Sport version that adds a more powerful V6, but that model starts at $28K, while the Equinox remains the only small SUV without a 4-cylinder engine. Some also find the Equinox noisy, and think its interior materials give off a rental car ambience. It also lacks the option of body-level side airbags. Finally, the 67 cubic feet of cargo room is scant for something this size. If getting the biggest back seat for the money is your most important criteria in an SUV, the Equinox is hard to beat. But in too many ways, the Equinox takes a back seat to its competitors. What's new for the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox: All-new model. What's new for the 2006 Chevrolet Equinox: Antilock brakes are now standard. What's new for the 2007 Chevrolet Equinox: Newly standard features include disc brakes, a driver information center, an MP3 input jack and a tire pressure monitor. Remote start and a navigation system are new options. What's new for the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox: The mainstream LS and LT models get firmer suspension settings. A new higher-end LTZ model comes with standard leather, heated seats, premium sound, side-curtain airbags, and a different look, and a new Sport model adds a 264-horsepower V6, a 6-speed automatic, faster hydraulic steering, sport suspension, sport seats, and 18-inch wheels. All models get stability control and GM's OnStar service. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com |
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