Chevy, GMC, Cadillac— same, different, don’t care? I’m guessing you do care, or you wouldn’t be reading this. And sure, when you’re a car-making behemoth like General Motors, it only makes sense to share platforms and segment to fit the market. So when we took possession of the Equinox, the first order of business was to figure out where it fits in the product mix. For starters, it’s definitely not a Caddy— for anything approaching that (sorta, barely) look to the Terrain, which is a more deluxe GMC. Instead the Equinox is a bit more utilitarian, but without sacrificing a lot of nice Chevy touches that make this little cross over appealing.
First thing first, it’s best to actually sit in a car before beginning to review it. In the well-appointed Equinox I was able to dial the leather-clad seat in exactly the way I like it, with plenty of room for a nap should the occasion arrive… note that I don’t generally drive in the supine position. One nice thing, this crossover sells with standard active noise cancellation for a peaceful cabin experience— if only it could work on certain passengers.
Not only does the Equinox offer a cushy cabin, it also has room for five adults, although anyone over 180cm tall probably won’t want to sit in the rear of the car. One the whole, the cars capacity is pretty impressive, considering that doesn’t feel huge going down the road. Ride and handling are better than ever, thanks to rebound springs in the front struts to increase roll control, and shock valves for low-velocity control, smoothing out the ride at lower speeds. With the optional all-wheel-drive system, the Equinox actively manages torque distribution between the front and rear axles, analyzing wheel speed, throttle and surface conditions to apply torque to the wheels that have the best traction.
Notably, the Equinox represents Chevrolet’s first all-turbocharged system lineup, offered in LS, LT (1.5L Turbo) and Premier (2.0L Turbo) trims, with AWD available on LT, Standard on Premier LS and LT 1.5L Turbo mated to 6-speed transmission / Premier 2.0L Turbo mated to 9. The recipe for the 2018 Equinox combines expressive design, with the latest connectivity, state of the art safety features and an offering of two turbocharged power trains, which deliver unmatched performance in this competitive segment. An available switchable AWD system enhances efficiency by disconnecting from the rear axle when not needed, while standard active aero shutters enhance fuel economy on the highway.
In the US, Equinox sales have reached nearly 2 million since its launch and it is Chevrolet’s second-best-selling vehicle after the Silverado. Ahmed Soudodi, Head of Brand at Chevrolet Middle East sees great potential for the model in the GCC: “The Equinox is Chevrolet’s best-selling crossover in USA and we are extremely excited to introduce the nameplate in its latest iteration to our region. Equinox regional introduction reinforces Chevrolet’s competitive position in this segment, and positions the brand well for the coming years with a mature, yet fresh line-up of crossovers; preceded with the refreshed 2017 Trax, and followed with the new generation 2018 Traverse later this year.”
Chevrolet’s 2018 Equinox marks its debut with a lean, muscular exterior design which is distinctively Chevrolet. The overall vehicle is up to 180kg lighter than its predecessor, boosting dynamics and efficiency. “The 2018 Equinox Premier introduces best in class active and preventive safety features, space and versatility as well as the first 9-speed transmission in a Chevrolet in our region, which offers customers a distinctive package” said Soudodi.
Inside, the dual cockpit design style is finished with high quality material with high durability, while a new flat-folding rear seat enhances functionality and enables easier loading.
The 2018 Equinox also offers Chevrolet’s latest connectivity technologies, including 7- and 8-inch MyLink infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and are Android Auto ready*.
The Equinox offers a comprehensive suite of available active safety technologies and available adaptive crash-avoidance features that provide ease of use and peace of mind on the road, including: Safety Alert Seat, Forward Collision Alert with Following Distance Indicator, Low Speed Forward Automatic Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Seat Reminder, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. This redesigned compact SUV that is approximately 180 kg lighter than its predecessor – a 10-percent weight reduction. It borrows several styling cues from Malibu and the 2018 Cruze, and is handsome, if not quite ostentatious.
Built off GM’s Theta platform, this SUV is a popular seller for GMC because it affords decent space, adaptability, and comforts. If you have the heart and soul of a Midwestern soccer mom, you’re probably a straight talking, but patient and lovely person. Also, you might want to take a look at this car.
