Chevrolet’s Equinox SUV outsells every other vehicle in the automaker’s lineup except the Silverado pickup. Since its introduction for model year 2005, nearly 2 million Equinoxes have been sold.
The Equinox was a midsize SUV from its birth year until the new 2018 version. Redesigned into a smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle weighing about 400 pounds less than the outgoing model, Equinox is now in the compact SUV category.
Don’t imagine a scrunched-up 2018 Equinox interior as a result. Passenger and cargo space are still of midsize SUV proportions.
Turbocharged four-cylinder engines, including a diesel option, power all 2018 models, with city/highway EPA fuel economy ratings ranging from 22/28 mpg to 28/39 mpg.
The 2018 Chevy Equinox is available in L, LS, LT (1LT/1.5L, 2LT/2.0L and 3LT/diesel) and Premier (1LZ/1.5L, 2LZ/2.0L and3LZ/diesel) trims, with all-wheel drive available.
I tested the LT Diesel with AWD. Its 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. An Equinox in this configuration garners an EPA city/highway/combined rating of 28/38/32 mpg. Acceleration is as satisfying as the excellent fuel economy, and the car’s compact dimensions make it a pleasure in tight parking situations as well as on winding roads.
All-wheel drive doesn’t kick in automatically but is driver-controlled as needed by the push of a button on the center console.
The new Equinox has a sophisticated ride that is comfortable even on bumpy surfaces and for long-distance driving, as proven during my round trip from eastern Snohomish County to Lake Oswego, Oregon.
Equinox’s new styling looks great, inside and out. My tester’s premium cloth seat coverings were a particular highlight of the interior. “Denim-style” is the term Chevrolet uses to describe the fabric, which is unfortunate because it could conjure images of old jean jackets stitched together. In fact the fabric looks thoroughly modern and stylish, and feels very durable, built to last. The supportive seats also contribute meaningfully to the car’s comfortable ride.
The rear seat has tilting bottom cushions that create a flat load floor for the cargo area, enhancing the existing area to significant dimensions and the ability to carry a serious amount of stuff.
Standard features on the test model include a driver eight-way power seat with two-way lumbar support, a six-speaker audio system, a full suite of connectivity technology with a 4G LTE Wi-fi hotspot, satellite radio, OnStar, rear park assist, rear cross traffic alert and blind spot alert.
2018 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AWD LT DIESEL
Base price, including destination charge: $33,235
Price as driven: $33,630
Mary Lowry is an independent automotive writer who lives in Snohomish County. She is a member of the Motor Press Guild, and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturers as a one-week loan for review purposes only. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the reviews.
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