Ho-hum, who needs another compact sport utility vehicle on the market, right? Actually, that may well be wrong.
Now that the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox has been unveiled, it’s made many auto journalists take notice thanks to its super fuel economy (22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway), the modest manufacturer’s suggested retail price of just over $22,000, and high-tech features including Bluetooth. Plus it boasts 63.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which puts it just below midsize SUVs such as the Nissan Murano.
It’s easy to pass over the Equinox because its attractive styling is somewhat plain. Fender flares and oversized wheel wells do spice up the look, though, with some journalists noting its traits are reminiscent of many of its siblings including the Chevy Malibu.
It also follows the family tradition of offering a smooth, steady ride with few surprises. This isn’t the car you want to drive if you’re a thrill seeker, but it is more than up to the task of powering you and your cargo around town.
You’ll read that some journalists note the four-cylinder Equinox is a bit underpowered, but that wasn’t the case when I drove it around rural Indiana for the better part of a week. Whether I was on rural roads or highway, the drive was plenty powerful and steady, with no lag in acceleration. Braking was also smooth, even during some powerful rainstorms.
For those who think a four-cylinder, front-wheel drive won’t cut it, Chevy offers plenty of options including a V-6 engine and all-wheel drive.
If I have one gripe about the performance of the Equinox, it is its turning radius. I enjoy a tight radius so as to best maneuver around crowded parking lots, and the Equinox’s radius was fairly wide, forcing me to maneuver back and forth in almost every cramped parking situation I encountered.
I drove the low-end 1LT model and found it plenty elaborate with all types of controls on the steering wheel, Bluetooth, a USB port and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Although the interior was a far cry from plush, it definitely had plenty of standard features that surprised me plus comfortable seating and plentiful legroom (41.2 inches front, 39.9 inches rear) and headroom (40.9 inches front, 39.2 inches rear).
The one downside of the interior was that there were so many controls, specifically on the steering wheel and dash, it was tough to quickly figure out basics such as how to lock and unlock the doors. That’s a minor quibble, though, that is quickly resolved.
Those who want a near-midsize SUV that is wallet- and feature-friendly need to consider the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, which fills a valuable space in the SUV lineup.
