Local review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

[PistonsFan]

Originally Posted by bone

If I could only get beyond 2010 Equinox's incredibly ugly snout, I would give the car a B+. A good friend just purchased a new V-6, 6-speed auto Escape. I am very impressed with how it looks and drives. I hope the Equinox is as good.

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I would say the majority think the new model is much more appealing (visually) compared to the outgoing model.



From a "design" view, it is a play on proportions. The new Equinox is actually shorter in height as the outgoing model and equal in height to the CR-v but visually it looks like a regular SUV more so than a small SUV/CUV. This is done through the proportions. Take note of the size of the windows/windshield relative to the size of the front end (hood to air dam). GM used proportions similar to a regular SUV while maintaining small CUV dimensions (w/ the exception of length). If you compare it to the CRv, you'll see that the nose proportions are much more attractive on the Equinox. The CRv nose looks skinny and "pushed-in".

[EllwynX]

Originally Posted by PistonsFan

Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I would say the majority think the new model is much more appealing (visually) compared to the outgoing model.



From a "design" view, it is a play on proportions. The new Equinox is actually shorter in height as the outgoing model and equal in height to the CR-v but visually it looks like a regular SUV more so than a small SUV/CUV. This is done through the proportions. Take note of the size of the windows/windshield relative to the size of the front end (hood to air dam). GM used proportions similar to a regular SUV while maintaining small CUV dimensions (w/ the exception of length). If you compare it to the CRv, you'll see that the nose proportions are much more attractive on the Equinox. The CRv nose looks skinny and "pushed-in".

Let's be just a tad more fair. Compare the new Equinox in your pic (which I assume is an LTZ) to the most attractive trim of the current Equinox, the Sport.

They're both great looking vehicles in those 2 trims.

[1487]

Current model looks pretty good but the body gaps and level of refinement are superior with the new design. Most CUVs have the same general profile so it comes down to the details and the front ends.

[hotrod1949]

Originally Posted by KCXLT

Keep an eye for mine, should have been ordered yesterday. If you can throw in a Nav system . You should recognize mine, its red.

Thanks for ordering, I'll do my best

[Hatter23]

Originally Posted by mjd1001

I have seen a few new Equinoxes at local dealerships in the last few days, and I have one major styling complaint....the 4 cylinder LS and LT models without the foglights...they plastic piece they put in the spot the foglights would go in looks terrible. What they should have done is something more like what they did on the Malibu (put a Chrome strip across that location.)

Other than that I like it.

I didn't think we would see these to late summer?!?

Are these hitting lots as we speak???

[KCXLT]

Originally Posted by Hatter23

I didn't think we would see these to late summer?!?

Are these hitting lots as we speak???

My dealer in SW Ontario has 1 and is expecting a loaded one and a base one shortly.

[jorgesalazar521@msn.com]

Originally Posted by 2648562

I don't care for the nose, in fact I hate it, but it seems pretty darn impressive otherwise.

is there a better nose out there ---no .... so like it
before i saw the malibu in person i did think it was a looker----there is nothing beter looking than a malibu--im surprized it has not aged at all.

[91 s-10baja]

I don't think the current Eq was given much respect from consumers or GM. GM should have continued development and refreshing it. Saturn vue got a revised interior and engines part way through, I think the EQ should have recieved the same treatment. I have always liked the eq, and love the new one just the same.

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by 91 s-10baja

I don't think the current Eq was given much respect from consumers or GM. GM should have continued development and refreshing it. Saturn vue got a revised interior and engines part way through, I think the EQ should have recieved the same treatment. I have always liked the eq, and love the new one just the same.

The VUE got those updates because it was out two years longer, and was the real-world tester for the later Equinox. It took until about 2004-05 before a number of the bugs with the VUE were worked out, and some of those bugs were fixed by the new powertrains.
Actually I don't think there's a huge difference between the updates to the VUE and the Equinox. The VUE always had a 2.2L Ecotec as the base engine (just not always the same transmissions with it), and the Equinox had the 3.4L OHV V6 as its base engine. The VUE moved from the 3.0L V6 to the Honda 3.5L V6 in its third year, the Equinox added the 3.6L Sport model in its fourth year (which was also an appearance package like the VUE Red Line). The Equinox received an interior update a year after the VUE did, it just didn't bring an exterior facelift with it like the VUE.

[markthewood59]

I bought my wife the 2008 Saturn Vue Redline, which is basically the same vehicle. She has the 3.6 liter mated to the 6-speed tranny with FWD, and it is an extremely capable vehicle that is much more fun to drive than the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe that it replaced. I absolutely love the 6-speed because the gear ratios keep the engine torque in the sweet spot, and it is equipped with the tap-shift feature which is fun. Exterior fit and finish are vastly improved. Very nice interior materials including suede buckets front and rear. No back-up camera, but the navigation system is really sweet. The Redline's suspension is a tad too taut on bumps, and the cupholders are not ergonomically friendly, but those are my only complaints. The Equinox has addressed the cupholder complaint, and I think the DI 3.0 is a more efficient engine than the 3.6, so there are good improvements on the 2010 Equinox. I like the Equinox front end better than the euro-inspired Vue Redline's, but I like the Vue better from the C pillars back. (the 2010 SRX is just like the Vue from the c pillars back).

GM hit this one out of the park and if you are considering a RAV 4 or CRV, or just about anyone else's compact CUV, you should drive the Equinox before you buy. GM is ahead of the curve in my opinion.

[Minarets]

when will these finally show up at dealers here in the south!?!!? i am oh so anxious to drive one and see em up close. id also love to get my greedy hands on some 2010 literature that the dealers are always slow to get.

i had a 2007 LT that for everyday driving was great. the sliding rear seat was nice to have and the space was nice. the 8 speaker pioneer speaker system was a tad weak and the center console was a bit annoying for me. it was small and it was nice it lifted up to expose all that space below, but for me, it wasnt real usuable space. i prefer a deeper console like the 2010 apparently has.

the looks of the 2010 are fantastic to me--inside and out.

my wife totalled that car (go figure) but i drive a 2008 v6 Ford Escape now (company car) but my company car is soon to go by the wayside thanks to the economy and my allowance is screaming for a new nox.

here is to hoping i am as impresses in person as i am looking at them online!


now, i just need some dealers here in TN to get some.

[Minarets]

that red sure looks good.

[RocNrolla]

Just bought a Graphite Black metalic LTZ Equinox. Awaiting its delivery to dealer. Called GM CAN with the order number and its still sitting at the CAMI plant. CAn't wait for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Minarets]

congrats. we need to see some pics when you get it! i want one. the cardinal red i posted abover looks good to me. i also want to see the brown that the enclave has. also, the silver ( which i thought would be too mundane on this car with its chrome trim) looked real good on the leftlanenews article.

but that graphite and red i think are my two favs so far.

congrats again.

[EllwynX]

Originally Posted by RocNrolla

Just bought a Graphite Black metalic LTZ Equinox. Awaiting its delivery to dealer. Called GM CAN with the order number and its still sitting at the CAMI plant. CAn't wait for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Congrats! Can't wait to see pics.