2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Review

First released early in the 21st century, the Chevy Equinox served as a barely adequate Crossover using a four or six-cylinder engine. The trim for the Equinox was plastic and seemingly cheap, and the car pricing was more than $4,000 higher than much of the competition just for the base price and hardly seemed worth it.

For 2010, the Chevy Equinox gets a new upgrade that not only looks good but also plays very well on the road. The interior uses a nice central control panel similar to those found on some Cadillac models including vents. Finally, an additional boon – perhaps the best one of all – to the new 2010 Chevy Equinox is actually priced $1,000-$2,000 less than before.

Performance

The 2010 Equinox is powered by two different fuel-saving engines that use a new direct-injection technology. The base model Equinox uses a four-cylinder 2.4 liter which produces 182 horsepower and gets an impressive 22 mpg in the city and a very nice 32 mpg highway which is superior to even a Ford Escape Hybrid. The second engine is a V-6 that is the same that can be found in the Cadillac SRX crossover at 3.0 liters and 264 horsepower. The V-6 only gets 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg in the highway which is still exceptional considering its performance capabilities.

Six-speed automatic transmissions control both engines and have significant torque and upshift ability for a decent zero to sixty capability. The smaller engine seems to have some issues with performance at high speeds, especially in generating passing power, but the larger engine does not suffer from this flaw. The Equinox handles corners very well with minimal body roll and capable steering response.

Exterior Features

Photos of the 2010 Equinox show a vehicle that is 100% Chevrolet but with a few nice exterior changes. With a nice profile that seems sleek rather than blocky. The fender flares, and wrap-around rear window look much like what you would find on the M-Class by Mercedes-Benz. Well-shaped headlamps and thick rocker panels connect the fender flares between the standard 17-inch aluminum wheels.

Interior Features

The interior of the 2010 Equinox is comfortable and offers lots of room for the rear seat – suitable for children and adults. A large cargo area includes available trays and customizable storage solutions to suit a variety of different needs.

Unfortunately there are a few cheap plastic holdouts to the two-toned interior features of the Equinox, but even though they look cheap, the interior controls are solidly built and work well. The noise cancellation system for the engine gives the interior cabin a very quiet feel which makes the vehicle seem more like a luxury SUV ride than a bargain $21,318 invoice crossover.

Standard interior features includes an CD/MP3 player with auxiliary input, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows and doors and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Those sitting in the front will also appreciate the standard height and lumbar adjustment features of the comfortable and supportive seats.

Safety & Specifications

Six airbags are now standard on the Equinox, as are antilock disc brakes and a backup rear camera which displays through the rearview mirror. Car safety is obviously an important point for Chevrolet, as the Equinox scored a perfect 5 stars for frontal and side impact crash test ratings from the government. In 2009, the Equinox was a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway and Safety, so consumers may be able to get cheap car insurance with the new Equinox.

Upgrade Options

The optional power liftgate for the 2010 Equinox is definitely something to keep in mind for an option, as it can be programmed to open only to a specific height which may save heads or the paint job for the car.

The Equinox is available in the standard Chevrolet trim assignments of LS, 1LT, 2LT and the LTZ based on the equipment level and pricing. Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for iPod connectivity are options across the lower trim levels but are standard features available on the two upper level trims. Also optional on the less-expensive trims but standard on the higher is an eight-speaker audio system upgrade which includes controls mounted in the steering wheel. A hard-drive based navigation system is optional across all trim levels which includes 40-gigabytes worth of storage space for music.

Improvements from the 2009 Chevy Equinox

The lower price is one of the best improvements that one can expect in the new Equinox. In addition, the new interior design features are a great plus. Engine modifications that give the added power while reducing overall weight and drastically improving fuel-efficiency give other crossover SUVs reason to blush.

How the Equinox Compares to Other Crossover SUVs

Though they have less horsepower, both the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CRV feel more spry and quicker than the Equinox thanks to the curb weight and smaller engine of the base trim. The impressive gas mileage feature tops the line on the highway, even beating out the Ford Escape highway, but in the city the Toyota RAV4 gets the same mileage as the Equinox.

Even though the price on the Equinox has been lowered from previous years’ models, it still comes in more expensive than the competition and that price tag can easily leap up and over $30,000 with expected option choices.

Conclusion: Is the 2010 Chevy Equinox a Smart Buy?

Scoring “Above Average” across all levels for the IntelliChoice 5-Year Cost of Ownership, in 2009, a rating that is likely to improve in 2010 thanks to improved fuel economy, the Equinox is still not quite a bargain-buyer’s dream. Despite potential savings on car insurance due to the excellent safety overview and the impressed auto reviews the Equinox still has its thorny side. With a higher base-price than much of the competition, the short-sighted may not look past the initial sticker price or lackluster road test to see the savings down the line. It certainly doesn’t help, Chevrolet’s less-than-stellar 3 year/36,000 standard warranty either.

Still much improved over its predecessors, the Chevrolet Equinox is now well worth a second look and being given a fair shake for your crossover dollars.