Wheels
road that was simply the
worst, which was the best for
me to do some NVH (noise,
vibration and harshness)
testing.
The Equinox got over
the short stretch well but I
did hear a couple of inter-
nal squeaks but they didn’t
alarm me. And though the
interior was nicely done,
Chevrolet chose to use satin
silver plastic. I hate the stuff
no matter who uses it.
In this case, I thought it
was little too shiny especially
on a sunny day. Still, the in-
terior of my test vehicle was
black and brown and the sil-
ver satin plastic provided an
steering wheel, express
aesthetically distinctive con-
Chevy Equinox
down power windows, a USB
trast.
plug, auxiliary jack, sunroof,
Frank S. Washington
19-inch wheels, remote start
is managing partner/editor
and a rearview camera.
of AboutThatCar.com and
Simply a stunner
I had an LT all-wheel-
AboutThatCarBlog.com.
drive version of the Equinox.
It was powered by a direct
fuel inject 3.0-liter V6 (there
Driver:
checked the back of the front
is a four cylinder engine) that
seats and there was a fold up
made 264 horsepower, 222
Frank S. Washington
screen on each seat.
pounds-feet of torque, mat-
What surprised me was
ed to a six-speed automatic
Vehicle: 2010
that a DVD-based rear seat
transmission.
Chevrolet Equinox
entertainment system was
The LT is the midlevel
in a Chevrolet. And better, it
trim model; there are also LS
Type: Mid-sized
was in a Chevrolet with stick-
and LTX versions. And the
er of $33,325. That, to me,
Equinox can be ordered with
Horsepower/Torque:
was astounding. But it does
front-wheel-drive only.
264/222 lbs-ft. make sense.
If I hadn’t known what
For years, I think Chev-
kind of vehicle I was driving, I
wouldn’t have thought it was
I was stunned. While
rolet delivered so-so styled
a Chevrolet. I mean that in a
browsing through the new
cars but it was their equip-
good way. The interior was
2010 Chevrolet Equinox, I ran
ment that fueled sales.
supple, fit and finish were
across a pair of headphones
Those creature comforts are
very good and there was am-
in the center console – as in
one area in which I think the
bience that was really sooth-
rear seat entertainment sys-
old GM used its size well and
ing.
tem. I looked up and there
it seems as though the trait
The ride was smooth,
was no fold down screen at-
will be carried forward.
the handling was impres-
tached to the headliner so I
Although my test vehicle
featured OnStar with all sorts
sive. There was no play in
In short?
of services including turn-
the steering which made

by-turn navigation, an emer-
the Equinox adept at dodg-
gency button, stolen vehicle
ing unexpected potholes. A
location service, the door un-
slight turn of the wheel sent
lock feature, hands free call-
the vehicle in the direction I
ing and vehicle diagnostics, I
wanted and it was clad with
was impressed that the auto-
effective brakes. I had to ex-
maker has adapted and now
ecute quick stops a couple of
includes Bluetooth.
times and I experienced no
In short, my test vehicle
problem.
told me how to connect my
My test vehicle had an
cell phone. For a guy who
EPA rating of 18 mpg in the
always finds it an adventure
city and 25 mpg on the hwy,
Prices start at $23,185.
connecting Bluetooth in dif-
which was respectable. The
Even though my test ve-
ferent vehicles, I was sold
four-cylinder has an EPA rat-
hicle listed at more than
on the Chevrolet Equinox.
ing of 22 mpg in the city and
$33K, I still thought it was
Everything else was gravy
32 mpg on the hwy.
a good value for the dol-
– and there was a lot of it.
Not all was right with the
lar because of the equip-
There was a power lift-
Equinox; I found a couple
ment. The quality was up
gate, rear park assist, sat-
of things to quibble or beef
to snuff, too.
ellite radio, tilt/telescoping
about. I found a stretch of
12 The Michigan FrontPage • December 4, 2009
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