Equinox gets three new engines
Chevrolet picked the autumnal equinox to reveal its new compact crossover, the Equinox, bristling with new technologies and powertrain options.
The latest Equinox is 180 kilograms lighter than the outgoing model, with three turbocharged engines: a 1.5-litre turbo, a 2.0-L turbo and a segment-first 1.6-L turbodiesel. The 2.0-L turbo arrives with a new nine-speed automatic transmission; the other two engines retain the sixspeed automatic.
The 1.5T makes 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, and the 1.6-L turbodiesel produces 138 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Both promise plenty of pop off the line and decent fuel economy (GM estimates an average of 7.6 and 5.9 L/100 km, respectively). The big dog is the 2.0T. It cranks out a very respectable 252 hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque — enough, says GM, to get the Equinox to 96 km/h in 6.5 seconds, with a 1,591kg towing capacity. Its switchable all-wheel-drive system with a rear axle disconnect system is aimed at better fuel economy.
In the cabin, fit and finish are top notch. The top-of-the-line models were finished in a handsome two-tone leather combination. The new Equinox will offer Chevy’s My Link infotainment system with seven- and eightinch touch screens that support Apple Car Play and Android Auto, and deliver a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot. Heated seats and a remote starter are standard on Canadian models.
The length drops by 120 millimetres, while the wheelbase is 132 mm shorter. It still has plenty of space for rear-seat passengers with up to 1,798 L of cargo space and a flat load floor.
The key safety technologies include surround vision that gives a bird’s-eye view around the Equinox, forward-collision alert, low-speed forward automatic braking, lane-departure and lane-keep assist systems plus blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The warnings from these systems come both visually and via the “safety alert seat,” which vibrates — also reminding the driver to check the rear seat for precious cargo.
The Touring model also includes the Teen Driver system, which offers several safety features, from muting the audio until front-seat occupants are buckled up to automatically turning on the available active safety technologies, such as side blind-zone alert, forward-collision alert and front automatic braking.