The recent boom in the compact crossover segment has small utility vehicles eating into sedan’s piece of the market.

With the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevy is trying to break into this segment by launching a competitive model. Chevy has nailed every aspect from styling to technology, taking the best of powertrain models and integrating it into their upcoming SUV. The all new Chevy Equinox will come with a diesel option that is unheard of in the compact crossover U.S. market.

Equinox has also brought in a much needed balance between style and safety, without forgetting about performance enhancements and its entertainment system, to make every drive safe and enjoyable.

Specifications: Interior and Exterior

On the outside, the upcoming 2018 Equinox utilizes the two-tier grille design from its sedan models, the Cruze and Malibu. At the back, the parallel taillights accentuate the crossover’s width.

Chevrolet has attempted to give it a tougher yet sleeker look with its blackened trim. Amazingly, the Detroit-based carmaker shaved off 400 pounds from the SUV, reducing the weight by 10%. From the looks of it, Equinox appears more muscular with a smoother appearance.

As far as the interiors are concerned, they too got a complete facelift. The all new Equinox will come with a central touchscreen and an additional digital display wedged in the driver’s pit.

The SUV mimics driving in a lower car by providing low seating. However, this can put some SUV buyers off as they are used to sitting higher while driving. The cargo area has plenty of space to make bulky item stowage easy. The rear seats do not provide generous legroom, but they are still decent for a comfy ride.

The Chevy Equinox drivers will also get a remote app which will allow them to perform functions such as locking, unlocking and starting the engine remotely. The plush interiors have been designed to make driving and traveling a comfortable experience.

It can easily accommodate you, the passengers and all their luggage in the SUV. Everything is within the driver’s fingertip distance, thanks to the cockpit design.

Pricing

2018 Chevrolet Equinox will start at $24,475 for a base front wheel model, including destination but no taxes or dealer fees. AWD is optional.

Performance

The 2018 Chevy Equinox will feature three turbocharged engines, one of them being diesel. The upcoming SUV has not only been revamped on the outside but under the hood. The powertrain components have also witnessed an overhaul.

The new 2018 Equinox comes powered with four-cylinder turbocharged engines. The base model starts at 1.5-liter producing 170 horsepower with a torque of 203 pounds-foot. The 2.0-liter turbo model may be optional but is definitely the sportiest, with a horsepower of 252 and 260 pounds-foot torque. Additionally, the SUV has a nine-speed automatic transmission. The 1.6-liter diesel engine produces a horsepower of 136 and 236 pound-foot torque and comes with a six-speed auto transmission.

While the front wheel drive is standard on all models, you can also go for the all-wheel drive option. This all-new SUV has been rebuilt from the ground up, fixing the mistakes of its previous models and giving strong competition to existing players in the same space. With strong architecture, better technology, and great efficiency, Equinox has all the makings of a successful car.
Entertainment

Chevy took extra care of the infotainment system, providing a 7.0-inch touchscreen, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Some models have 8.0-inch screens with similar features.

To help you on the go, they’ve equipped the new model with built-in Wi-Fi hotspots to keep you connected on the go. The audio system features 6-speakers, with active noise cancellation and noise control abilities.

Safety

Safety is something GM has never failed to acknowledge. This is why the new 2018 Equinox comes with a long list of safety features that offer you a better ride. The new Surround Vision camera allows the driver to have a 360° view of his surroundings through the infotainment screen.

Additionally, when Equinox is driving below the speed of 50 mph, the system is designed to predict front-end collision and automatically applies the brake to help minimize the impact. It can also help in preventing a collision altogether, especially when driving at low speeds.

If you accidentally leave your lane, the Lane Keep Assist will automatically, but gently steer your wheel and alert you to keep your vehicle in the lane. With the help of camera technology, this advanced feature will also alert you to vehicles that have slowed in your path.

Drivers can set the distance indicator to far, medium, or near. They also have the option to turn off the indicator, although it is advised not to. For those who hate noisy safety alerts, or for those with hearing impairments, the Equinox comes equipped with the Safety Alert Seat. Instead of a loud noise, the driver seat will vibrate to let you know of a possible collision.

Most importantly, Teen Driver technology incorporated in 2018 Equinox ensures safe driving for your teenagers. The features include Side Blind Zone Alert, Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking, Forward Collision Alert, and muted audio until all passengers are buckled.

Competition

The 2018 Equinox is competing with the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 head-on. The last time Honda CR-V refreshed its model, it was 2015. This means that the next model will be out around the same time as the 2018 Equinox is launched. CR-V, too, will come in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options.

The SUV will seat up to five passengers and offer similar cargo space, if not more. CR-V has a much sportier exterior, as compared to Equinox, and provides more impressive interiors, compared to other high-priced SUVs in the market.

For now, the CR-V has just one engine, a 2.4-liter iVTEC model with a horsepower of 185 and torque of 181 lb-ft. The automatic transmission offers fuel economy of 29 mpg on their FWD SUVs. The base model starts at $23,745 and the top model at $33,395, complete with Sports mode.

Another Equinox competitor is Mazda CX-5 which was recently inducted into the SUV segment in 2013. Mazda gave it a refresh in 2016, so it is safe to assume that the next one will be out along with CR-V and Equinox.

The current CX-5 is a sporty SUV with an impressive sleek profile and fascinating exteriors, offering a tough profile with a smooth look. The interiors are also very fashionable, but the infotainment system is mediocre. Considering that CX-5 is still in its first generation, the next-gen model is likely to launch with some considerable changes.

Fuel Economy

According to preliminary estimates of Chevrolet’s highway driving, the 1.5-liter engine delivers 31 mpg.  That is a lot better than its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine which gets 22 mpg, 32 mpg and 26 mpg in city, highway and combined, respectively.

Chevrolet claims that their 2.0-liter variant should deliver 28 mpg on the highway. Chevy’s estimate for the turbo-diesel variant is rather striking with a 40 mpg on the highway, clearly beating other competitors, such as Mazda CX-5, Nissan Rogue, Subaru Forrester, that offer 32-33 mpg.

2018 Equinox: The Good and the Bad

Pros

  • Available in a diesel option, which is not a very common thing for an American SUV market. Its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine can deliver up to 40 mpg on the highway.
  • The new design for the Chevy Equinox will give a fresh look to their older first-gen models. However, the latest design takes inspiration from existing models, keeping the exterior tied into the Chevrolet brood.
  • Reducing 400-pounds from the new Equinox will help the SUV maintain fuel economy.
  • New safety features will keep the driver and passengers safe.

Cons

  • Equinox 2018 has a fresh design but not revolutionary. The side profile looks similar to its older versions.
  • The latest wheelbase design is not very impressive.
  • It’s not be suitable for you if you are looking to tow a lot of weight.