Rydell Automotive Group

Yes, but going on sale this summer is a brand-new model. Let's put it this way: We wouldn't want to be a dealer with an old Chevrolet Equinox still sitting on the lot. The new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox looks better, sounds better, drives better, and offers more features than the outgoing model. This isn't a step up, it's a step over what hopefully is a relic of "old GM." Oh, did we mention it also costs less than the outgoing Equinox, and improves upon fuel economy by 33%, offering 32 mpg on the highway? That's not just better than Equinox of old, that's better than the entire competition of now.

Did you say it gets 32 miles per gallon? As in Magic Johnson's jersey number?

Yes we did, and there is nothing magic about it. The key piece of the equation is a new 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-cylinder transmission that has been engineered to offer more power with greater efficiency. Details like low-rolling resistance tires and electric power steering (four-cylinder only) also rob less energy from the vehicle, thus increasing fuel efficiency too. Structurally, the Equinox saw its drag coefficient (a measure of wind resistance, the lower the cd the better) drop from 0.42 to 0.36 cd, another key factor in improving fuel efficiency. Even the V-6 version gets decent fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city / 25 mpg highway with 2WD, and 17/24 with AWD.

How does the Equinox drive? Would you choose one engine over the other?

We spent the majority of our time with the 2.4-liter four cylinder-equipped Equinox. The electric power steering was light but remained on-center. Take your hands off the steering wheel and it keeps driving straight. Through corners and turns, the suspension always reset itself nicely into a planted position. That said, over bumpier roads the suspension felt somewhat harsh, especially if you happened to be sitting in the back seat. The four cylinder engine was more than adequate, and the transmission shifts were smoother than Marvin Gaye singing What's Going On. The 3.0L V-6-equipped Equinox isn't much quicker than the 2.4-liter, though it felt more refined and can tow more than twice (3,500 lbs.) what the four-cylinder can. Chevrolet predicts 75% of models sold will be equipped with the four-cylinder.

I used to have a compact SUV and between the buzzy, underpowered four-cylinder engine and the cheap build quality, it made for an obnoxiously loud driving experience. Any better here?

Chevrolet spent a lot of time bragging how much they invested in making the Equinox top of its class when it came to the reduction of noise and vibration. They pointed out 36 different structural areas where improvements were made to deliver a quiet driving experience, and even went as far as to install a noise cancellation system using the same principles as those Bose headphones on the guy in seat 3F. Well, we drove the Equinox on dirt roads, off road, on road, across rumble strips, and on the highway, and Chevrolet?brag away, because you can back it up. This really was an exceptionally quiet, rattle-free vehicle, and it delivered an interior ambience one might expect on vehicles costing way more.

I like collecting odd furniture pieces from the "Free" section on Craigslist; how's the cargo room?

We know what you mean. We found a 50-ft Canary Palm Tree in the free section of Craigslist last week, but lacked a backhoe, crane, and flatbed-semi to take it home with us. That said, for things like dressers, the back seat folds flat for a good 63.7 cubic feet of storage space, and as you can see next to our 6-foot editor, there is a wide rear opening too. We should note here there is an optional power-operated rear liftgate that can be programmed to stop at a specific height should you have a low-garage (or short legs). For smaller items bought on Craigslist like stolen Dells and fake Louis Vuitton purses, there are tons of storage options including a deep center console that can swallow an entire laptop. And just like police at a bank robbery, cup holders have the place surrounded; wherever you look you'll find a spot to drop your McCafe cup.

I'm looking to trade down from a Chevrolet Tahoe, but still want an SUV that makes me feel safe, even if it isn't the size of a tank. Will the Equinox keep me protected in an accident?

Chevrolet targeted the Equinox to get nothing but 5-star safety awards, and with six air bags, stability control, ABS, and traction control standard, that goal should be within reach. All of the Equinox's main competitors have received top marks for safety, so anything less than par for the course is a head-shaking bogie. Chevrolet has a recent history of great safety design (for instance, the IIHS Top Saftey Pick Chevrolet Traverse), so we're not too worried. The Equinox also comes standard with OnStar, and has optional on-demand AWD as well.

I'm a traveling salesmen (I sell genuine Bakelite domino sets to retirement communities) and spend a lot of time on the road. Will I find the Equinox comfortable on long trips?

We are a big fan of the seats in the Equinox, and found them very comfortable and easy to position. There are plenty of interior amenities to keep you entertained including an optional USB hookup for your iPod, standard XM Satellite Radio, and if you happen to be selling dominos to clientele in the colder parts of our country, there is an intelligent remote start system that will activate the HVAC system and optional heated seats based on the outside temperature. Overall we found the interior attractive, inviting, and relatively upscale for this class.

I noticed an "Eco" button in front of the gearshift; what does this stand for and what does it do?

It stands for "Economy Mode", and among other things it holds gears for longer periods of time and can improve fuel economy by up to three percent or one mile per gallon. It's only available on the four-clynder Equinox, and since we barely noticed a difference in driving, we say leave it in the on position and keep the change. This is probably an appropriate time to mention that there will be no hybrid version of the Equinox for now.

My kids can't drive in a car for more than 5 minutes without starting World War III. Please tell me this car comes with a rear entertainment system?

What did parents do before rear entertainment systems? Must have had to learn how to effectively parent, teach their kids to read books, or know a couple good games that required thought and imagination. We digress. The system Chevrolet uses is really slick, with two dual LCD screens that hide away nicely into the back of the front seats. Each screen has a separate video input, so if both kids got a PSP during this year's holiday season, you can drive assured that the East and West will not be warring. The rear entertainment system can be had as part of a $1,295 package that includes a Pioneer premium 8-speaker system, rear seat dual-player DVD system, a remote control, and two wireless headsets.

How would you configure an Equinox if you were buying one?

First thing we should point out is that both the V-6 and AWD are standalone options, so even if you get the four-cylinder, 2WD Equinox, you aren't precluded from any option packages. The Equinox 2LT represents a great value at $25,445. This includes features like remote start, Bluetooth, rearview camera system, USB connectivity, an upgraded Pioneer sound system, and everything that comes standard on the Equinox from the safety items listed previously to the Multi-flex fold flat rear seat. Navigation is available as a standalone option, though it's pricey at $2,145. A fully loaded Equinox tops out a little above $35,000. A destination charge of $745 comes attached to all vehicles.

Any more buying tips or details I should be aware of?

Leather is a $1,050 option, but we actually found the cloth material they used on the base seats to be even more comfortable.

We're a big fan of being able to get a rear-view camera ($320) independent of the navigation system ($2,145).

While the 19-inch wheels look nice, the ride quality might suffer more than the aesthetic value gained.

You've probably heard plenty about Cash for Clunkers vouchers, and assuming legislation passes, the four-cylinder Equinox could qualify you for $4,500 cash back depending on what you trade in.

Finally, look for Equinoxes to start arriving at dealerships shortly.

What other vehicles might be on my shopping list and how does the Equinox compare?

The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are the dominant players in the compact SUV segment (the RAV-4 practically invented it). Fuel economy is at the top of the consideration set for shoppers in this segment, and while the RAV4 and CR-V get decent fuel economy, the Equinox blows both of them away, offering a full 6 mpg better on the highway than the CR-V, and 5 mpg better on the highway than the RAV4. What's notable to us is how dated the RAV4 and CR-V interiors look when compared to the Equinox. To their credit, the RAV4 does offer a third row, and the CR-V's ride is smoother than that of the Equinox. The Ford Escape and Escape Hybrid might also be on your list, and nothing can touch the Escape Hybrid when it comes to city fuel economy at 34 mpg. The Subaru Forester is a solid choice as well

On the scale of "pebble in the ocean" to "boulder in a kiddie pool", how important is this vehicle to "New GM"?

There might be a lot of excitement around the yet-to-be-released Chevrolet Volt, and for the spirit of the company, launching it is certainly a boulder in the kiddie pool. In terms of boosting the Chevrolet bottom line, the Volt's contribution is more like pebble in the ocean. The compact SUV segment is on track to make up almost 10% of all vehicle sales in the US this year, meaning producing a winner in this category is crucial. So while excitement among the general public surrounding the new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox might be pebble in the ocean, the lift on the bottom line could be boulder in a kiddie pool?which is exactly the kind of impact New GM needs to survive, and we think the Equinox is ready to make a big splash.

First Drive: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox
The End Of "Good Enough For Chevy"
By Mike Connor

Chevrolets at their best offered "more than expected." This separated the revolutionary 1955 Bel Air from its popularly priced rivals at Ford and Plymouth. It defined the first two generations of Chevelles and the downsized 1977 Caprice. But as GM moved into the troubled 1980s and '90s, the clarion call at Chevrolet became "Good enough for Chevy." This sad phrase steered product planners, designers, and engineers into producing a generation of Chevrolets that were little more than segment placeholders, something to give the brand a presence in a category.

The original Equinox embodied this attitude to the hilt. On paper the specs were on target: a standard V-6 and automatic transmission, independent suspension, and discs at all four corners along with a roomy, reconfigurable interior for five. Dynamically and aesthetically, the vehicle was far less than the sum of its parts. Following in the path of a series of upgraded Chevrolets (the Malibu and GMT900 full-size trucks), the 2010 Equinox has eschewed the good-enough-for-Chevy attitude and has become a transformed crossover in the process.

After a deep-dive into the compact-crossover segment Chevy came to significant revelations. First was that owners of these vehicles appreciate and seek refined, comfortable products. Buyers told Chevy V-6 engines are not a high priority. Most important, Chevrolet decided if it was going to play in the CR-V, Escape, and RAV4 sandbox it must try to beat the best.

Of course, manufacturers have claimed this countless times in the past. Starting with the architecture of the first Equinox, the stage was set for another case of overpromising and underdelivering. Overall width is up a fraction over an inch and vehicle length has been shortened an inch. Powertrain offerings were rethought and both the old-fashioned "high-value" 185-horsepower, 3.4-liter OHV V-6 and the modern "high-feature" 264-horsepower, 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 are no longer offered. The Equinox Sport has been axed along with the 3.6.

Instead, a 182-horsepower direct-injected 2.4-liter DOHC I-4 is standard in all Equinox models and a 3.0-liter direct-injection version of the high-feature DOHC V-6 making the 3.6's 264 horsepower is available on LT and LTZ trim levels. Either engine is available with front or all-wheel drive and GM's six-speed automatic is standard across the board. The 3.0 in a front-drive Equinox is estimated at 18/25 mpg, 1 mpg better than the 3.6 in city and highway mileage.

When mated to the I-4, a driver-selectable "eco mode" is added to the six-speed automatic, which allows the torque converter clutch to lock up at lower speeds and changes shift points to improve fuel economy. The result is a front-drive compact crossover estimated to deliver 22 mpg in the EPA city cycle and 32 mpg highway. That beats the Ford Escape Hybrid's number, making the 2.4-liter Equinox the segment highway fuel economy leader.

Government 5-star and IIHS "good" crash ratings were a program target from the outset and base curb weight is up over the previous model. However, improved impact performance doesn't tell the whole story of the 110-pound mass rise.

With its interior of amusingly grained hard plastic, the original Equinox was a real boom box inside. Playing for segment leadership rather than mere participation made silencing the 2010 Equinox a gilt-edge priority. GM employed Active Noise Cancellation for the first time on any of its production vehicles. The system (on 2.4-liter models exclusively) employs two microphones to detect low-frequency sounds in the cabin and then uses the car's audio system speaker, including the subwoofer when fitted, to generate canceling sound. The noise-cancellation system also allowed engineers to drop the idle speed of the I-4, which yielded about 0.1-mpg-better fuel economy. Further noise mitigation is attained through the use of laminated acoustic glass for the windshield and front side windows as well as triple seals on all four doors. Additionally, the level of interior materials is significantly upgraded to the point where the Equinox cabin is measurably better than Chevy's own Malibu. Yes, there are still some large hard-plastic components, but they've been moved out of the driver's primary touch zones or have been covered with soft (or soft-touch) trim. Compare interiors side by side with the chief competition, Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota RAV4, and the Chevy eats 'em up and spits 'em out.

Climbing into an AWD 2.4-liter Equinox LT during a rainstorm, we almost hot cranked the ignition. The engine was running, but the sound of rain falling on the sunroof drowned it out, and its idle didn't vibrate through the toe-pan, seat, or steering column. And the triple door seals, acoustic glass windshield, and front-door windows have pretty much eliminated -- eliminated -- A-pillar, wiper, and mirror-patch wind noise at speeds up to about 65 mph.

According to Chevrolet, the front-drive 2.4-liter Equinox is good for a 0-to-60-mph time of 8.7 seconds. The V-6 shaves nine-tenths off that time.

Setting the I-4 Equinox transmission into Eco Mode doesn't significantly change the driving experience when puttering around. Even though the converter clutch engages a lower speed, there's no appreciable added roughness. The Eco Mode's revised shift points are not quite so transparent. At part throttle, acceleration becomes more leisurely, not to where the Equinox feels doggy, but apparent enough to a sensitive driver. The majority of drivers in the segment would be hard-pressed to feel the slight decrease in performance.

To the enthusiast, discussing vehicle dynamics in this segment seems irrelevant. If you're looking to carve up a canyon road in a CR-V rather than a Civic, for example, you've got one strange set of priorities. With that in mind, the 2010 Equinox is a less than optimal choice for said twisty driving than a Cobalt SS. But when the road becomes more challenging than a thoroughfare, the Equinox will do nothing untoward or dangerous unless provoked by a madman. The base P225/65R17 all-season Michelins are optimized for reduced rolling resistance and good tread life. They become the "fusible link" when pushing the Equinox very hard, giving the driver plenty of audible notice before they let go of the road in complete frustration. The ride/handling compromise has been biased in favor of comfort and predictability, the segment rule. Compliance and road isolation is the order of the day for driver comfort and reduced cabin noise. Cars with the optional P235/55R19 Hankooks generate considerably more tire sound than those equipped with 17- or 18-inch rubber.

Power steering with the V-6 is a hydraulic system, while the I-4s get a new rack-mounted electric power-steering system. Steering feel is noteworthy for a direct-acting electric rack, better than some electronically controlled hydraulic systems.

The 2010 Equinox LS carries a base MSRP of $23,185, with power driver's seat, tilt and telescope steering column, power windows and locks, air conditioning, and alloy wheels among the standard equipment. Mid-range 1LT model starts at $24,105, adding privacy glass, roof rails, and an electronic compass. Higher-end 2LT further adds auto climate-control A/C, Bluetooth, USB connection, rearview camera, foglights, and upgraded audio with steering-wheel controls, and starts at $26,190. The topline $28,790 LTZ throws in a memory seat and mirrors for the driver, heated leather seats, sonar rear park assist, exterior chrome package, and power tailgate. Pricing may be the biggest news of all since a 2010 Equinox LS undercuts the previous version by a hefty $1825. The mid-range 1LT carries an MSRP $905 less than that of the 2009 base version.

With the 2010 Equinox, Chevrolet has a product that genuinely outperforms its best competitors in the areas of NVH, accommodation, and fuel economy. That it does so with better content and more than competitive pricing marks a return to the "more than expected" philosophy that brought about Chevrolet's postwar golden age. Just as important as how it performs in the market, the Equinox should be the final nail in the coffin of the jaded GM concept of "Good Enough for Chevy."