The Equinox hits a snag when you examine its pricing. We like its overall proportions, but competitors such as the Mazda CX-5 and the Hyundai Tucson look more athletic and appealing to our eyes. Engine stop-start, a fuel-saving feature found in few competitors, is standard on the Equinox, and it’s among the smoothest and least obtrusive of these systems we’ve sampled-a good thing, considering the only way to turn it off is to move the shifter to the L position.Ĭompact crossovers aren’t known for design flourish, and the Equinox’s relatively nondescript exterior doesn’t move the needle. The 1.5-liter’s fuel-economy numbers (28 mpg combined for front-drive models and 26 mpg with all-wheel drive) are above average for the class, although its EPA ratings fall a few mpg short of the CR-V’s optional 1.5-liter turbo. A 1.6-liter diesel four-cylinder also joins the menu later this year, promising an impressive 40 mpg on the highway. Luckily, a more powerful, optional turbocharged 2.0-liter paired with a newer nine-speed automatic transmission arrives in a few months, and it should mitigate these concerns.
#Chevy equinox reviews vs toyota rav4 manual
Manual shifting capability is possible in the transmission’s L setting but can be operated only by an awkwardly placed toggle switch atop the gear lever (paddle shifters aren’t available).
The little four-cylinder also seems buzzier and less refined than it is in the Malibu sedan, likely because it’s working harder to move this heavier crossover. The transmission is keen to shift into higher gears, presumably to benefit fuel economy on the EPA test cycle, which would be more tolerable if the downshifts weren’t so sluggish when more power is requested. The turbo 1.5-liter inline-four produces a decent amount of low-end torque, but the lazy six-speed automatic doesn’t make the most of the output. With such solid and composed handling, it’s a shame that the standard powertrain isn’t more eager. Combine the Equinox’s overall sense of solidity with its nicely weighted, accurate steering and firm, progressive brake pedal, and it adds up to impressive dynamic capabilities. Road and wind noise are impressively hushed, something that two of our favorite small crossovers, the CR-V and the Mazda CX-5, struggle with. There’s remarkably little body roll and the ride is expertly damped, with well-controlled wheel motions and no sensation of body float. Indeed, the new Equinox soaks up bumps with nary a quiver through the cabin. HIGHS: Composed chassis, hushed cabin, roomy rear seat.
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