The Concept of Equinox and Global SUV Competition

An equinox is a moment when day time equals night time all around the world, where the sun's rays strike the Earth at a specific angle. Likewise, the redesign for 2018 Chevrolet Equinox works to even things out among global SUV competition. The Chevy Equinox and its near-twin, the GMC Terrain, were once considered tweeners, not quite lining up with other SUV competitors. General Motors (GM) lacked a direct competitor to popular models such as the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and the larger and heavier Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot.

These midsize SUVs excelled in terms of manoeuvrability, efficiency, refinement, and interior space. However, the larger and heavier Equinox struggled to match its competitors in these areas. To address this issue, GM has introduced a redesigned GMC Acadia that fills the gap left by the Equinox. The third-generation Equinox has shrunk to better fit into the small Chevy field, measuring 5 inches shorter and weighing 400 pounds less than its predecessor.

The new Equinox has also shed its optional V6 engine, replacing it with three different turbocharged 4-cylinder options. Most models will come equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo that produces 170 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The team behind the Equinox has driven this combination in the Chevy Malibu, where it has worked well. The uplevel engine is a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder producing 252 horsepower, which comes with a GM-first 9-speed automatic transmission. This transmission aims to avoid the problems seen in other 9-speed transmissions from Chrysler and Honda.

The Equinox's fuel economy has been improved through several features. A standard start/stop system is included, as well as an optional oil drive system that can be turned off when not needed. However, the biggest boost for fuel economy comes from the optional 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine, which Jim claims achieves approximately 40 miles per gallon on the highway. This is a unique engine choice, as other car manufacturers have shied away from offering diesels since the Volkswagen emissions scandal.

Despite this, GM has continued to offer diesels in both the Cruze and Equinox, possibly attempting to capitalize on post-VW buyback TDI owners. The interior of the Equinox features an easy-to-use GM dashboard with a MyLink touchscreen infotainment system, plenty of rear seat room, and seats that fold completely flat to maximize cargo space. Advanced safety equipment such as Ford collision warning and automatic emergency braking is available only on higher trims.

The Equinox now lines up with the heart of the small V market, providing a properly sized mid-sized SUV. It will be interesting to see if this equates to success against strong competition in the market. For more information on SUVs, including reviews and comparisons, check out Consumer Reports.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enan equinox is when day time equals night time all around the world likewise the redesign for 2018 Chevrolet Equinox works to even things out among global SUV competition you see the Chevy Equinox and it's near twin the GMC Terrain they were sort of tweeners not quite lining up with other SUV competitors GM lacks a direct competitor to super popular smarsh abhi is like the Toyota rav4 honda cr-v or subaru forester the larger and heavier Equinox didn't have their manoeuvrability or efficiency it also couldn't rival popular midsize SUVs like the toyota highlander honda pilot for their refinement or interior space now the redesigned GMC acadia solves that problem meanwhile the third generation equinox shrinks to better match the small Chevy field it's now 5 inches shorter and acclaimed 400 pounds lighter than before gone is the optional v6 engine now you get a choice at three different turbocharged 4 cylinders most will come with a 1.5 liter turbo that makes 170 horsepower paired with a 6-speed automatic we've driven this combination the chevy malibu where it works pretty well the uplevel engine is a 2-liter making 252 horsepower it comes with a GM first nine-speed automatic hopefully this transmission avoids the problems we've seen in other nine speeds from Chrysler and Honda several features do help fuel economy there's a standard start/stop system and you can turn off the oil drive system when it isn't needed but the really big boost for fuel economy comes from the optional 1.6 liter turbo diesel engine Jim is claiming about 40 miles per gallon on the highway with that engine now this is a really curious engine choice other car companies have shied away from diesel after the VW emissions scandal but GM is sticking to offering diesels in both the Cruze and the equinox maybe they'll went over some post VW buyback TDI owners inside is a typical easy-to-use GM dashboard complete with the MyLink touchscreen infotainment system it's plenty roomy inside with lots of rear seat room the rear seats fold completely flat to maximize cargo space advanced safety equipment like Ford collision warning and automatic emergency braking is optional it's available only on higher trims we wish this stuff was standard on every car just like the GMC Acadia gives GM a properly sized mid-sized SUV now the equinox lines right up with the heart of the small V market we'll see if that equals success against strong competition for more on SUVs check out consumerreports.organ equinox is when day time equals night time all around the world likewise the redesign for 2018 Chevrolet Equinox works to even things out among global SUV competition you see the Chevy Equinox and it's near twin the GMC Terrain they were sort of tweeners not quite lining up with other SUV competitors GM lacks a direct competitor to super popular smarsh abhi is like the Toyota rav4 honda cr-v or subaru forester the larger and heavier Equinox didn't have their manoeuvrability or efficiency it also couldn't rival popular midsize SUVs like the toyota highlander honda pilot for their refinement or interior space now the redesigned GMC acadia solves that problem meanwhile the third generation equinox shrinks to better match the small Chevy field it's now 5 inches shorter and acclaimed 400 pounds lighter than before gone is the optional v6 engine now you get a choice at three different turbocharged 4 cylinders most will come with a 1.5 liter turbo that makes 170 horsepower paired with a 6-speed automatic we've driven this combination the chevy malibu where it works pretty well the uplevel engine is a 2-liter making 252 horsepower it comes with a GM first nine-speed automatic hopefully this transmission avoids the problems we've seen in other nine speeds from Chrysler and Honda several features do help fuel economy there's a standard start/stop system and you can turn off the oil drive system when it isn't needed but the really big boost for fuel economy comes from the optional 1.6 liter turbo diesel engine Jim is claiming about 40 miles per gallon on the highway with that engine now this is a really curious engine choice other car companies have shied away from diesel after the VW emissions scandal but GM is sticking to offering diesels in both the Cruze and the equinox maybe they'll went over some post VW buyback TDI owners inside is a typical easy-to-use GM dashboard complete with the MyLink touchscreen infotainment system it's plenty roomy inside with lots of rear seat room the rear seats fold completely flat to maximize cargo space advanced safety equipment like Ford collision warning and automatic emergency braking is optional it's available only on higher trims we wish this stuff was standard on every car just like the GMC Acadia gives GM a properly sized mid-sized SUV now the equinox lines right up with the heart of the small V market we'll see if that equals success against strong competition for more on SUVs check out consumerreports.org\n"