Local review: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

[RocNrolla]

Last picture for now until I can figure how to post properly...

[EllwynX]

Looks good.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by RocNrolla

2010 Equinox LTZ, Granite Black/Jet Black Interior

Here are some pics;

Looks great, I love it.

[AndrewGS]

I saw an LTZ in Mocha Steel on a transporter wednesday and it looked great! I think I'm going to go check it out tomorrow.

[SAngelo]

Originally Posted by RocNrolla

Any questions about the 2010 equinox and I'll be glad to try and answer them.

I love the ebony interior with the silver trim, it looks awesome. This crossover will sell like crazy !!!!!!

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by RocNrolla

Any questions about the 2010 equinox and I'll be glad to try and answer them.

I'm guessing you have the 3.0L SIDI, yes?

[RocNrolla]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I'm guessing you have the 3.0L SIDI, yes?

Yes I do. Even with the increased horsepower in the Equinox with the 3.0L i still get a little better gas milage compared to my old 2006 Torrent.

[AndrewGS]

I stopped by the a local Chevy dealer and had a look at their only Equinox so far, a FWD V6 LTZ. It's Mocha Steel over Brownstone and was loaded up with every option but had a blank sticker. The salesman, who was less than completely knowledgeable, said it was "about $40,000". I couldn't drive it, but I did start it up and gave it a good once around.

The seats are quite soft but feel supportive, the gaps on the inside are level and tight, all the switchgear feels nice, the windows are all automatic-down with auto-up only for the driver, the sunroof is now auto-open as well as auto-close, the rear child door locks are controlled by a center stack-mounted button, the switchblade key is very nice and the new displays, both the DIC and navigation, are fantastic. The problems are that the center stack-mounted central locking and integrated controls will confuse some people. I had to show the salesman where the central locking was located and after a few minutes I felt a little overwhelmed by the number of controls and functions on the center stack.

I liked basically everything about it except that for the price the LTZ can climb to I'd expect a power passenger's seat, rear climate control (vents, at the very least), cooled front seats, keyless ignition, nicer wheel options for the 4-cyl. and dual-zone climate control for the front. I'd also like to see active head restraints, blind spot and lane departure warning, rear torso airbags, HUD, 110v rear seat outlet and bi-halogen projectors like those on the Astra. It's a great little crossover though with lots of room and comfort as well as some nice touches to make it feel of high quality.

[Zephyr]

Originally Posted by RocNrolla

Yes I do. Even with the increased horsepower in the Equinox with the 3.0L i still get a little better gas milage compared to my old 2006 Torrent.

Congrats on your new 'Nox. Two days ago I test drove the 2.4L and it was smooth but perhaps a little underpowered. I'm going to take another test drive next time with the 3.0 when a dealer has one.

How would you compare the 3.0 with the 3.4 in your Torrent, acceleration wise?

[Mahidibal]

Originally Posted by hotrod1949

SOP was less than one month ago, no major problems, and the line is almost up to full speed. I believe the ramp up gives 24 days from SOP to full production, so yesterday might have been that day. Terrain trials have also been running, so it is a very interesting time at Cami.

My dealer ordered my equinox on June 24. Any idea on how long it will take to get to Texas ? I called the dealer today and he did not see a delivery date. It is a red LT with sunroof and navigation. Can hardly wait.

[PistonsFan]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

I stopped by the a local Chevy dealer and had a look at their only Equinox so far, a FWD V6 LTZ. It's Mocha Steel over Brownstone and was loaded up with every option but had a blank sticker. The salesman, who was less than completely knowledgeable, said it was "about $40,000". I couldn't drive it, but I did start it up and gave it a good once around.

The seats are quite soft but feel supportive, the gaps on the inside are level and tight, all the switchgear feels nice, the windows are all automatic-down with auto-up only for the driver, the sunroof is now auto-open as well as auto-close, the rear child door locks are controlled by a center stack-mounted button, the switchblade key is very nice and the new displays, both the DIC and navigation, are fantastic. The problems are that the center stack-mounted central locking and integrated controls will confuse some people. I had to show the salesman where the central locking was located and after a few minutes I felt a little overwhelmed by the number of controls and functions on the center stack.

I liked basically everything about it except that for the price the LTZ can climb to I'd expect a power passenger's seat, rear climate control (vents, at the very least), cooled front seats, keyless ignition, nicer wheel options for the 4-cyl. and dual-zone climate control for the front. I'd also like to see active head restraints, blind spot and lane departure warning, rear torso airbags, HUD, 110v rear seat outlet and bi-halogen projectors like those on the Astra. It's a great little crossover though with lots of room and comfort as well as some nice touches to make it feel of high quality.

Ha. I knew you couldn't say all those good things without throwing in something negative.

It sounds like you want it to be a Cadillac. Lane-departure in a Chevy?? HUD? Seriously?

But really though, glad you like it.

The dealer was wrong about the price. $40k is impossible. If you chose every possible option, it's still under $37k MSRP.

LS starts at $22,440
LTZ starts a $29,795

If you're still interested in Equinox, check out the "Build Your Own Equinox" site:

http://www.chevrolet.com/vehicles/2010/equinox/build.do

A family member of mine is considering a new Equinox, that's why I have interest in it.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by PistonsFan

Ha. I knew you couldn't say all those good things without throwing in something negative.

It sounds like you want it to be a Cadillac. Lane-departure in a Chevy?? HUD? Seriously?

But really though, glad you like it.

For the price that these things can climb to those features should be included. Look at the competition's products and the fact that GM has these features in other models of similar or lower price. The LTZ should have a power passenger's seat standard with the option of ventilated seats. HIDs, HUD, lane departure and blind spot warning should be part of a visibility package and front and rear adjustable active head restraints should be standard on all GM products.

You shouldn't have to buy a Cadillac to get Mazda, Ford and GMC features. Remember, Ford is about to put Active Park Assist on the competing Escape.

The dealer was wrong about the price. $40k is impossible. If you chose every possible option, it's still under $37k MSRP.

LS starts at $22,440
LTZ starts a $29,795

I know, but I was surprised that the sales guy would trow out such a high number when the actual price was $35,440. That could've easily scared off your average Chevrolet customer.

BTW, did you see my quite POSITIVE review of the lowly G3? I give credit where it's due.

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

For the price that these things can climb to those features should be included. Look at the competition's products and the fact that GM has these features in other models of similar or lower price. The LTZ should have a power passenger's seat standard with the option of ventilated seats. HIDs, HUD, lane departure and blind spot warning should be part of a visibility package and front and rear adjustable active head restraints should be standard on all GM products.

You shouldn't have to buy a Cadillac to get Mazda, Ford and GMC features. Remember, Ford is about to put Active Park Assist on the competing Escape.

The Chrysler minivans offer cross path alert and blind spot monitoring now as well, just to give another non-luxury model example.
The rear headrests should be adjustable in the first place.
I don't know about ventilated seats and maybe even the power passenger seat - at the fully loaded price I'd agree the power passenger seat. But, I do agree about dual-zone automatic climate control (CR-V and RAV4 have it along with most uplevel trim midsize cars that are at similar price points) and maybe even the keyless ignition - lots of other cars for inexpensive prices offer it, so at least as an uplevel (LTZ maybe) feature it would be nice. In the meantime at least they have an integrated switchblade key.

Is the HUD an option on the Terrain? I could see them reserving it for that model as the Acadia offers the HUD.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by cdp326

Is the HUD an option on the Terrain? I could see them reserving it for that model as the Acadia offers the HUD.

Nope. HUD is only offered the Acadia for some reason. No other GM trucks, SUVs or CUVs have it, but it's a valuable safety feature that should be standard on anything over $20,000. GM will wait until it's commonplace on competitor's models and then slowly offer it on more of their models and it will be another GM innovation that they don't capitalize on.

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

Nope. HUD is only offered the Acadia for some reason. No other GM trucks, SUVs or CUVs have it, but it's a valuable safety feature that should be standard on anything over $20,000. GM will wait until it's commonplace on competitor's models and then slowly offer it on more of their models and it will be another GM innovation that they don't capitalize on.

Thanks, I didn't think it did. I wonder if the upcoming smaller Buick crossover will have it, whenever in the future that is, while the new RX350 offers it now. With a nod towards the lineage, it would be nice if the Terrain offered it, as while the Torrent it effectively replaces didn't offer it ,the Aztek (and Rendezvous) did.