COMPACT, AGILE EQUINOX TARGETS CROSSOVER LEADERS
We’re more than 4,800 feet above the Pisgah National Forest, where mist envelops the shoulders of the Appalachian Mountains. Below us lies the Pink Beds Valley.
We’d been given the option of making our own way across the Carolinas. My driving partner had a hankering to experience the Tail of the Dragon, 18 kilometres of serpentine road that’s virtually a rite of passage for any driving enthusiast. I pointed out that our trip gave us a chance to visit one of the remote, mountainous creeks where we could search for the elusive Hellbender, an exceedingly rare giant salamander.
The Blue Ridge Parkway proved an acceptable compromise, though its abundance of looping curves had us yearning for a nimble two-seater instead of the crossover we’re piloting. To be fair, our Chevrolet Equinox handled the hairpin twists quite admirably, with none of the lumbering wallow once characteristic of this segment.
Completely revised for 2018, the third-gen Equinox returns with a shorter, stiffer platform, an available nine-speed automatic transmission and the choice of three engines. Based on the same D2 architecture underpinning the Buick Envision, the Equinox sheds 400 pounds (180 kilograms)— a 10 per cent weight reduction — over the previous platform.
As with nearly every other vehicle in the industry-wide quest for better fuel economy, the chassis has been lightened by using high-strength and hot stamped steel, fewer welds and more industrial adhesives. This gives the new Equinox an added bonus of great torsional rigidity and less flex, meaning a more stable ride. Visually, the Equinox isn’t as compelling as the Mazda CX-5 or Ford Escape, but it is neat and tidy, if rather unremarkable.
In this segment, space and utility are paramount. Despite its compact size, the Equinox’s cabin space remains virtually the same as the outgoing model. The rear seats have given up their ability to slide fore and aft, providing a more usable and flatter floor when folded. Maximum cargo space increases to 1,798 litres, including a hidden compartment beneath the trunk floor.
The cabin’s overhaul follows the same conservative yet functional design principles as the Cruze. Premier models feature more soft-touch materials and leather, but cheaper plastics creep into use as you move down through the trim levels. The Equinox follows Chevrolet’s familiar packaging strategy by offering three models (LS, LT and Premier) and two packages (Confidence and Convenience, and True North) are available on the LT and Premier.
New for 2018, the AWD system can help conserve more fuel by directing power to just the front wheels when extra traction isn’t needed, or torque to all four wheels can be manually locked in by the driver.
The mid-range LT AWD is predicted to be the volume seller, but even the base LS has a good level of standard features. They include keyless entry with pushbutton start, Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system, rear-vision camera, Teen Driver (which lets you restrict and monitor driving habits), one-touch folding second-row seats, heated front seats and heated rear-view mirrors, a remote starter, start/stop technology and both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Moving up through the trim lines adds extra goodies, such as a heated steering wheel and rear seats, HID headlights, a handsfree power liftgate, an eight-inch in-dash touch screen and 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, and wireless charging. The Premier trim gets rear park assist, plus side blind-zone and rear crosstraffic alerts.
Our sole available choice was the base 1.5-L turbocharged fourcylinder engine paired to a sixspeed automatic. It seemed quiet enough on the highway, thanks to noise cancellation provided by the audio system and an abundance of sound-deadening material. But it was slow to respond after braking through the tight turns, which was probably a combination of the engine’s modest 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, the transmission’s limitations and perhaps the altitude’s effect on the power output.
While we’ll have to wait to see if the Equinox’s new powertrains match the impressive handling, the more compact size and better manoeuvrability should help it chase down segment leaders. And with its all-in base price of $26,995, including PDI, it should finally be able to succeed.