Chevrolet's Compact Crossover has Economy, Engineering to Excel by Mark Maynard on Creators.com

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Chevrolet's Compact Crossover has Economy, Engineering to Excel

As American consumers learn to do more with less, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox crossover makes economic sense.

It has more room than a midsize sedan but comparable pricing and fuel economy. The standard model of Equinox has an EPA fuel economy rating of 32 mpg on the highway from a sophisticated four-cylinder engine. That's one mpg less than the Malibu sedan — and a notable accomplishment for any vehicle that weighs close to two tons with a couple of passengers.

Fuel economy and vehicle development were aided by an engineering investment to build what it took to compete in this segment of compact, five-passenger trucky crossovers. It is dominated by imports, such as the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and others. The Detroit three automakers have offered small sport-utility vehicles, such as the Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty. But the new Equinox, with its carlike, independent suspension, steers directly onto import turf.

Equinox applies ingenuity and innovation in a good-looking package that multitasks with storage areas, interior room and ride comfort.

Among its unique features are:

— A power, programmable lift gate that allows the owner to set the height at which the lift gate stops its ascent to account for various garage and person heights.

— An Active Noise Cancellation that locks the torque converter at lower RPMs. Then the sound system in the cabin emits noise-canceling sound waves for any objectionable noises.

— MP3 audio connectivity and seat comfort are also strengths.

Sold in three trim levels with two engine choices, two six-speed automatics and front- or all-wheel-drive, Equinox pricing ranges from $23,185 to about $30,540 with all-wheel drive (a $1,750 option.) The 3.0-liter V-6 would add $1,500 (with 17/25 mpg).

I tested a midrange Equinox 2LT front-wheel drive that had a starting price of $26,190 and was a believable $28,625 with a few option packages. Among the extras was Black Granite paint, $195, that contrasted nicely with the Chrome Appearance Package, $695, which added bright door handles, lower fascias, mirror caps, luggage rack side rails with chrome inserts.

Leather-trimmed seats added $1,050 — and the surfaces actually looked and felt like leather, rather than the thick vinyl-like material that GM used to pass off as cowhide. And the seats were stitched in red with perforated backs and bottoms that also had three-temperature heaters for the backs and bottoms. Anybody with back pain knows seat heaters aren't just for cold weather.

The 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine is a balance of power and economy. For many users, its 182-horsepower will feel more than adequate. A V-6 has more kick for traffic-signal takeoff or passing power on the interstate, but pushing hard on the throttle didn't rattle this four cylinder.

Equinox also continues with the new GM standards for assembly. A good visual test of the emphasis on clean lines is in how the door panels align with the dashboard. The Equinox layout created a huge challenge for the sweeping arcs of the instrument panel to meet evenly and continue onto the door panels. The lines matched perfectly in the test vehicle.

Much of the plastics on the dashboard and doors are a soft-touch, flat-finish plastic. It is attractive and non-reflective, but the surfaces were beginning to show marks and scuffs, which will need an occasional wipe down.

Also attractive is the fabric headliner and sun visors with large, lighted mirrors. The interior materials have the appearance of higher quality than those used by the imports.

The back seat scores well for family duty in all areas but one.

The doors open wide with a generous opening for adult-size feet to move gracefully in and out. The seating area is roomy with good legroom on a flat floor. The seat back will recline a few inches, and there are about 8 inches of fore-aft travel to adjust for more cargo space or more foot room. A fold-down center armrest has two cup holders.

Families who plan to seat three children in the back seat, however, should look closely at the center position.

It sits higher than the window seats, is more narrow, and there is no center head restraint.

But Equinox is fully equipped with other safety features, including six air bags (with side curtains), Stabilitrak stability and traction controls and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

DRIVABILITY

Equinox has a command-of-road driving position and a smart layout to gauges and the center stack of controls. Brake response and steering effort are balanced and smooth. The cabin is very quiet, with little variation in tire noise from concrete highways to smoother surfaces.

Objections for some users may be the 40-foot turning circle, which is wider than most of the competition, and the width increases to 42.6 feet with the optional 19-inch, tire-wheel package.

"By using a longer wheelbase than the competitors (and associated greater legroom and cargo flexibility), there was a trade-off in some turning radius," a spokesman said.

And the fast styling can get in the way of sightlines. The out-swept windshield pillars help aerodynamics but can block views of pedestrians in crosswalks. Over-the-shoulder views are restricted by the rear quarter and the back-seat head rests. But the standard rearview camera on this model took away most of the concern. Also useful is the rear park assist feature (part of the Chrome package), which alerts with tones to the nearness of objects.

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is such an improvement over last year's model that it is a surprise Chevy didn't give it a new name.

SPECS BOX

2010 Chevrolet Equinox FWD 2LT

Body style: compact, five-passenger crossover in front- or all-wheel drive

Engine: aluminum 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter, DOHC four cylinder with direct injection with variable valve timing

Transmission: six-speed automatic with Eco mode

EPA fuel economy estimates: 22 mpg city, 32 highway (20/29 AWD); 87 octane recommended

Fuel capacity: 18.8 gallons

Cargo space: 31.4 cubic feet, 63.7 back seat folded

Length/wheelbase: 187.8/112.5 inches

Curb weight: 3,770 pounds (base model)

FEATURES

Standard equipment includes: remote locking with remote start, automatic air conditioning, rearview camera in rearview mirror, tilt-telescopic steering wheel, floor mats, compass, eight-speaker Pioneer audio system with XM satellite radio and digital input, power (heated) mirrors, power windows-locks, leather-wrapped steering with cruise and audio controls, USB port, sliding rear seat with 60/40 split seat back and three-position recline, fog lights, 17-inch aluminum wheels, tinted glass, roof rack side rails

Safety features include: six air bags, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, stability and traction controls

PRICING

Base: $26,190, including $745 freight charge; price as tested, $28,625

Options on test vehicle: Chrome Appearance Package, $695, includes ultrasonic rear parking assist; leather-trimmed seats with heated front buckets, $1,050; power lift gate, $495; Black Granite paint, $195

Where assembled: Ontario, Canada

SIDEBAR

Comparing Three, Five-Passenger Compact Crossover Vehicles

Honda CR-V EX

Length/wheelbase: 177.9/103.1 inches

Engine: 166-hp, DOHC 2.4-liter four cylinder iVTEC

Transmission: five-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 20/27 37 mpg; 87 octane

Curb weight: 3,415 pounds

Cargo space: 35.7/72.9 cubic feet

Turning circle: 37.8 feet

Price: $21,995 to $29,655, with 4WD