CHEVY’S NO. 2 SELLER, EQUINOX SHEDS

A FEW POUNDS IN 2018 REDESIGN

Chevrolet has managed to do with the Equinox what I wish someone, or something, would do for me in 2018, which is reduce my weight by 10 percent.

Not that I need to shed 400 pounds, which is what Chevy did in getting the Equinox down to just over 3,300 pounds, but 10 percent of that would get me down to my weight in college. (Quit laughing. I’ll accept 5 percent.)

Alas, Chevy is a bit light on details when it comes to what it did to get those pounds off other than referring to “an all-new, mass-efficient body structure,” which is a good idea but not very practical for me. At 183.1 inches long, the new Equinox is also nearly 5 inches shorter than its predecessor, and I don’t think I can get 5 inches shorter.

Oh, well. I’ll keep looking.

Back to the Equinox.

Chevy says the use of high-strength and ultra-high strength steel in the body structure has added to the safety and improved the ride and handling of the 2018 Equinox while making for a quieter, more fuel-efficient ride.

Among new safety features available in the upgrading for 2018 are a safety alert seat (it vibrates the driver’s seat if a crash risk is detected), surround vision system, forward collision alert with a following distance indicator, low-speed automatic braking, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, new rear-seat reminder (don’t forget the baby!), lane-change alert with blind-zone alert, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Equinox is offered with three engine choices, all 4-cylinder turbos with a 1.5-liter (26 miles-per-gallon city, 32 highway) as standard. Optional are a 2.0-liter gas engine (22/29) and a segment exclusive 1.6-liter diesel (40 mpg highway).

At 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, the 1.5L seems a bit underpowered. The optional 2.0L carries the day with 252 ponies and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the torque-heavy diesel is rated at 240 lb.-ft. to go with 137 hp.

The base and diesel get their own version of a 6-speed automatic transmission while the 2-liter turbo gets a 9-speed. The Equinox is offered in either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive configuration.

A five-passenger vehicle, the Equinox comes in four trim levels starting with the base L and continuing with the LS, LT, and Premier. The latter two are broken down into 1LT/1.5LT, 2LT/2.0L, and 3LT diesel and Premier into 1LZ/1.5L, 2LZ/2.0L and 3LZ/diesel.


My test vehicle was the top-of-the-line Premier with the 2.0L engine.

Standard equipment included keyless open and start, rear vision camera, teen driver technology (which allows you to set limits for speed and volume and provides a “report card” on your teen’s performance), rear park assist and rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot alert, 19-inch wheels, LED headlamps and tail lamps, power hands-free liftgate, trailer package, leather appointed seat trim, dual zone automatic A/C, leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 6-speaker audio system, and connectivity systems such as Chevy’s MyLink with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, OnStar, and a 4G LET wi-fi hotspot.

There were no options, leaving the total cost to $34,480 with the $895 destination charge thrown in.

The cabin is roomy and nicely appointed, a big improvement over that found in earlier Equinox models. Legroom in the back is 39.7 inches, about an inch less than the 40.9 offered up front.

Without a third row to contend with, cargo capacity is a generous 29.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 63.5 with those seats folded. Chevy has somehow managed to reduce the overall size without making riders feel cramped.

Reducing overall size. If only I could accomplish a similar achievement.

What I liked about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox: It’s big enough to handle five passengers comfortably with lots of room for their stuff. The wi-fi is very easy to sign on to.

What I didn’t like about the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox: There seemed to be a an excessive amount of road noise when driving on the interstate. It made conducting a conversation with the radio on difficult.

Would I buy the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox? It’s a very functional, competitive crossover and easy to see why it is Chevy’s second-leading selling vehicle behind the Silverado pickup. I’d certainly give it a look if I was shopping in the segment.