The six-speed automatic transmission is astutely tuned for the 1.6’s unique properties and makes no qualms about downshifting at the slightest provocation of the throttle to make the most of it.

Now that is something we rarely read about regarding GM's transmissions. Usually "lazy", "bad", etc. are descriptions we hear.

 

The six-speed automatic transmission is astutely tuned for the 1.6’s unique properties and makes no qualms about downshifting at the slightest provocation of the throttle to make the most of it.

When I read that, I have flashbacks and my mind fills with negative attributes of the past............. (thinking about some of our 4.3L/4-speed OD units of yesteryear).

If the engine had more (enough) torque, shouldn't it just be able to pull-through the load, instead of downshifting?

Nice looking wagon,however that motor is too small for a 4 seater, should have Duramax like CC trucks,,and rear wheel drive standard,,front drive just doesnt do it for my needs.

Nice try GM but you still dont get it..

Appears to be the case, I'd still like to drive one, despite the very heavy price premium.

 

Now where is a mid sized RWD based diesel powered 4x4?

 

The Colorado?

Meanwhile, I do not get why GM powertrain is still producing the old 6 speed. Would it not be more efficient to go to the all new 9 speed across all product lines?

 

I'd be willing to try this powertrain in my Soul. Bring it on!

 

In other words, Trailblazer is sold everywhere but North America..

 

Flashback to 1977 to my mom's yellow '77 impala wagon. 5.0L V8 with 145 hp and 240 tq. basically identical to the Equinox diesel. 0-60 was 14 seconds though.

 

2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel AWD
Please ignore the idle clatter.
Car and Driver
By Andrew Wendler
December 2017

*Full Article at Link

Nice looking wagon,however that motor is too small for a 4 seater,,should have Duramax like CC trucks,,and rear wheel drive standard,,front drive just doesnt do it for my needs..
Nice try GM but you still dont get it..

 

Chevy's likely to find a couple three hundred thousand customers this year who apparently don't get it either.

 

Why is the braking performance so mediocre with the Diesel? The curb weight seems to be about the same.

 

In cases like this, where similar vehicles post disparate braking and grip numbers, tire selection usually is the culprit. Our diesel Equinox wore 225/65R-17 Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 all-seasons, while the 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter models were shod with 235/50R-19 Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 all-season rubber. Upgrading to 19-inch wheels and tires on the diesel will cost you $1995, although we’d think twice before doing so as we definitely preferred the diesel’s much more forgiving ride quality on the 17s.

 

Putting your foot to the floor results in a lackadaisical step-off followed by a swell of torque that comes on and breaks the tires free while rolling at about 5 mph.

Our Cruze diesel does this too... not too much at tip-in followed by a BIG rush.

 

I understand asking for a larger (midsize) SUV with proper diesel power and RWD with AWD option.

But what exactly would be the point of having a 183" cute ute with RWD? The Nox doesn't have enough ground clearance or the proper suspension to do serious offroading, and even then, wouldn't you choose AWD? This isn't a first gen SRX that is trying to hang with canyon carving German utes.

Which brings me to its real competition: the CR-V. I've been raising concerns about cargo volume with the new Equinox since day one. The new CR-V is selling like hotcakes. At least one reason for that is the UTILITY of it. It has around 33% more cargo capacity than the Equinox. Roughly 40 cu ft, versus roughly 30 cu ft. That's a big difference to a family. GM chopped the Nox's size too much, and I'm not sold regarding the raked roof that tapers towards the rear. It makes the vehicle look more "cute" than "ute" while stealing cargo capacity.

I know it's selling well now, but we'll see in 5 years. Gen 2 was selling briskly right into retirement, I think Gen 3 will taper away.

 

I agree. Honda made the CR-v bigger. The Equinox got smaller in terms of feel. The front row feels cramped and the cargo area seems tiny in comparison. And the SUV muscular styling seems to have been tossed aside into something far too cute instead of ute.

I think GM tried too hard to reconcile the small ute size of the Captiva and the American ute size of the last Equinox into one size fits all. Also like GM has done so much is cut away at the space and volume of their offerings as part of gaining an extra tiny bit of MPG to satisfy CAFE.

To repeat, you're pretty spot on.

 

Someone please explain what the problem is with a 6A? If it works, is reliable, non-jerky non-intrusive, does its job, does it really matter if it's 6 or 8 or 10? This sounds like some sort of middle school status contest.

 

More is better. This is America, and more is progress

 

The six-speed automatic transmission is astutely tuned for the 1.6’s unique properties and makes no qualms about downshifting at the slightest provocation of the throttle to make the most of it.

Diesels don't have throttles. The driver's foot operates the fuel rack and controls the amount of fuel injected, not the amount of air ingested. Sheesh, these authors bug me sometimes.

 

Check out modern common-rail turbo diesels with boost control - but more to the point diesels DO have throttle pedals.

 

When going from 8AT to 9AT, the change is not so much but going from 6AT to 9AT or 10AT is transforming.
The difference that 10AT makes to Mustang is just sensational, the auto GT is now "up there" with SS Camaro.

 

I went from a 6A to an 8A and I didn't find it transformational. Both were excellent, smooth, unobtrusive trannies. They did their jobs.

A mill like Mazda's 2.5 Skyactive is more transformative IMHO.

What specifically does the 10A do to make the Mustang sensational?

[While there may be or may not be any correlation between these various IC critters and bicycles, I think back of my first few 10-speed bikes. Going up from a "3-speed English racer" as they were often called, to a 10-speed, that WAS transformational.

Later bikes had 15 or 20 or 23 gears. That was and has been overkill in my world. Enough is enough.]

 

Not forgetting that the Captiva actually dates back to the Saturn Vue and the companion Equinox
was on a longer 110" wheelbase version. The current equinox taps into where the compact Utility
segment is heading - a vehicle almost the size of the defunct Mazda CX-7, space efficient and
giving mid sized driving feel..

Chasing the sweet spot on cars and utiities are hard because they are moving targets,
as GM found out when it delivered its ATS and CTS.....BMW released larger 3 and 5
immediately gapping the new Cadillacs.

 

"Compact" has a different meaning in Tall Wagon/Ute World vs. Sedan World.

Mini SUV
Main article: Mini sport utility vehicle
A mini SUV (also called subcompact SUV or subcompact crossover) is a class of small sport utility vehicles. The term usually applies to crossovers based on a supermini (B-segment cars in Europe) platform.

Examples: Category:Mini sport utility vehicles ( 57 )
Compact SUV
Main article: Compact sport utility vehicle
A compact SUV is a class of smaller SUVs that are commonly built with less cargo and passenger space, and often with smaller engines resulting in better fuel economy, the term is often interchangeable with crossover SUV.

Examples: Category:Compact sport utility vehicles ( 124 )
Mid-size SUV
A mid-size SUV is a class of medium-size SUVs whose size typically falls between that of a full-size and a compact SUV. This term is not commonly used outside North America, where fullsize and midsize SUVs are considered similar.

Examples: Category:Mid-size sport utility vehicles ( 76 )
Full-size SUV
Full-size SUVs have greater cargo and passenger space than midsize SUVs. Full Size SUVs are usually given higher safety ratings than their smaller counterparts.

Examples: Category:Full-size sport utility vehicles ( 62 )

Cadillac Escalade ESV (Extended-Length SUV)
Extended-length SUV
An extended length SUV, also sometimes called a long-wheel based SUV, are vehicles that are similar to a full-size SUV, except that these vehicles have a larger cargo area of around 130 in (3.30 m) and passenger space that can seat up to 8 or 9 people (with the available third row seating that when folded or removed adds more cargo space). Although these extended length SUVs are mostly sold in North America because of their size and the roads are made and designed differently, they can also be found in other countries, exported to such places like The Philippines and The Middle East. The vehicles are 221 in (5.61 m) to 223 in (5.66 m) in length and can be distinguished by the rear wheel area not touching the rear doors.

Examples: Category:Expanded length sport utility vehicles ( 10 )

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_utility_vehicle

 

Chevrolet should have kept Equinox same size, added a diesel and kept the V6.. dropped weight on it. It would be a winner..