Vehicle Spotlight: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
The All New 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Has Arrived
The Chevrolet Equinox is a GM best seller for well over a decade. In fact, in 2016 it outsold every GM offering except the Silverado pickup. Each generation continues to make strides, as can be seen from the 2017 Midnight Edition above. Two million Equinoxes have rolled off the line since their debut in 2005. Impressive for sure, but simply not competitive with its rivals in compact crossover SUV sales figures. The Ford Escape boasts better numbers at home. And overseas competitors like Nissan, Toyota, and the class-leading Honda CR-V own a massive share of the market. Chevy needs change, and change is here. The 2018 model year brings about a complete redesign for the Chevy Equinox, and a bright outlook for the company’s future in the CUV universe.
A New Generation
Born of the popular Chevy Blazer (its roots can be traced back to the S-10 pickup), this third generation Equinox hopes to have the formula to finally catapult GM to the top of the ever-growing compact crossover mountain of competition. The Equinox once did battle with larger competitors, such as the Ford Explorer. Now, the new model is downsized, shedding nearly 400 pounds and more than five inches of wheelbase. The goal is for the new Equinox to shed some dead weight and improve the overall ride, to change with changing consumer demands.
The 2018 Chevy Equinox is powered by a choice of three new engines. There are 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinders, as well as a 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder. The smaller engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A new nine-speed automatic is now available for the 2.0-liter. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models are both available.
New Choices, More Savings
Will these savvy little engines help you beat a Ferrari off the line? Certainly not. But with combined 28 mpg for front wheel drive models (26 mpg for all-wheel), who cares? You can take your Equinox for a comfortable ride to the bank with all those fuel savings. If that weren’t enough, the diesel engine gets a fastidious 40 mpg, so you can finally wave goodbye to that oddball gas station attendant you see every other day when filling up your gasoline-chugging SUV.
The interior of the new Equinox will be familiar to anyone acquainted with recent Chevy models, which is a good thing. Despite the smaller size, cargo room remains nearly the same in the redesign. The 60/40-split rear seatback is plenty roomy for passengers and folds all the way down to make room for anything else.
Nicely Equipped
The Chevy Equinox comes in four trim packages: The base L model, the slightly- fancier LS, the nicely equipped LT, and the fully loaded Premier. The biggest jump is from the LS to the LT, adding a panoramic sunroof and a bigger and better 8 inch infotainment display, heated seats, and blind spot monitoring, among dozens more bells and whistles.
When it comes to pricing, the Equinox is right in the thick of the competition. A base L model can be had for less than $25,000. The better-equipped LT comes in neatly under $30,000. Not class leading. But when fuel economy is considered, the Equinox may just end up being the best bang for the buck. With all the new improvements on board, surely everyone can find something about this fresh-faced model that they like.
