![]() More than likely, Equinox buyers won’t be too concerned about how it goes around a corner and will worry about ride comfort instead. Zero feedback from the road is transmitted to the steering wheel, but most buyers will see that as a plus in this category. If the tires didn’t start protesting at the littlest provocation, it'd be more impressive. Instead of tire squeal and front-end shove in the middle of corners like the front-wheel-drive version, the rear wheels come to the rescue and allow you to power through and out. All-wheel drive works wonders when powering out of corners, too. Body roll is minimal - and narrow, winding roads can’t seem to shake it. The center stack is notably easier to navigate and use on the new Equinox compared to the button overload found on the old one.Įxpectations for handling ability were low going in, but the Equinox impresses. That’s OK, though, because this car isn’t meant to compete with the Porsche Macan and its ilk. Sport mode is nonexistent in the Equinox, so unless you put the transmission in low, it tries to shift up if you let off the throttle momentarily. Compared to other nine-speed offerings out there, this transmission is way more smooth and predictable. There’s no abrupt gear wandering around town, and the only time I was able to catch it off-guard was diving in and out of corners through some technical Tennessee twisties. Shifts come when you expect them to, and acceleration is seamless even when you mat it. GM introduced the 9T50 auto with the 2017 Malibu, and the smooth-shifting gearbox does a wonderful job in most situations. One area where the 2.0-liter Equinox outshines its 1.5-liter sibling is the standard nine-speed automatic transmission. In theory, it should work, but if an ill-informed owner activates all-wheel drive, they’re possibly sending some percentage of the power to the rear wheels, hurting the EPA-rated 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway fuel economy. ![]() The assumption here is that most owners will leave the Equinox in front-wheel drive until inclement weather presents itself, and they’ll get better mileage because of it. Most of the time all-wheel drive isn’t necessary, and fuel economy is enhanced when the rear wheels aren’t being powered. The 2018 Equinox with the 2.0-liter turbo ends up being more expensive than most of the competition, but it's also faster.Ĭhevy's rationale is simple. Once activated, it remains in all-wheel drive until it’s deselected, even after you shut the car off. The extra power scoots the Equinox around at a respectable pace for a grocery-getter, reaching 60 in a Chevy-estimated 7.2 seconds.įront-wheel-drive models are straightforward enough, but all-wheel drive is integrated a bit differently here: Instead of automatically transferring power to the rear when the system senses it needs it, the Equinox remains in front-wheel-drive mode until a button by the gearshift is pressed, activating all-wheel drive. The power bump is substantial: Now making 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, the 2.0-liter Equinox produces 82 hp and 57 lb-ft more than the 1.5-liter. In fact, drive one back-to-back with the previous generation Equinox, and you’ll wonder how Chevy managed to sell almost 250,000 of the old buggers last year.Ĭhevy's finally dropped the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder into the new Equinox after the popular crossover initially debuted with a 1.5-liter turbo. Drive the 2018 Equinox like most of its owners will - as a suburban commuter - and you’ll be as pleased as can be.
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