ShareThisBusting out of bankruptcy, General Motors submitted the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox as evidence of its new direction. It's a very positive economic indicator.
With pricing pegged at Middle America, the compact crossover has remarkably broad appeal. It offers the functionality of a sport utility vehicle without the costly fuel consumption.
If you buy the front-drive version with the 182-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine, you can expect to cover 22 city miles and 32 on the highway for an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,097, which is quite good. Honda's CR-V is rated at 20/27 mpg, and the Toyota RAV-4 earns marks of 22/28.
While the virtually all-electric Chevrolet Volt's 230 miles per gallon garnered most of the ink out of GM's recent technology launch, the Equinox is more likely to deliver a solid customer base.
Equinox arrived in 2004 as a 2005 model, back when oil and gas prices were soaring toward record levels. Full-size SUVs were in disfavor as automakers sought to retarget the shifting affinities of nervous buyers. And those were the good old days, as we later learned.
The second-generation Equinox rides on the same 112.5-inch wheelbase as its predecessor, but is about an inch shorter and an inch wider. It also has a wider front track to improve ride and handling.
Equinox is built at the CAMI Automotive GM/Suzuki joint venture plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. GMC's Terrain, the Saturn Vue and Pontiac Torrent share the Theta platform until GM officially sheds its Saturn and Pontiac divisions at the end of 2010.
The second-generation Equinox went on sale in June with a base price of $23,185, including a $745 destination charge, for the front-drive LS model. Pricing at the entry level actually fell $1,800 below that of the previous generation.
Higher trim levels are the LT and LTZ, which can be upgraded to all-wheel-drive with a 3-liter, 264-horsepower. The new engine cranks 264 equines and delivers an estimated 18 city miles per gallon or 25 on the highway.
The LT review car with front-wheel drive was base priced at $25,445, with $3,630 worth of options.
The crossover's tailored and tucked exterior is well complemented by an interior that features tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power driver seat and a number of well-placed storage bins as standard equipment. A closable storage compartment under the large center armrest accommodates a laptop computer.
The cargo compartment is easily accessed through the high-rising liftgate, making shopping trips a painless experience. The middle row of seats split in a 60-40 ratio and can fold flat to expand the cargo capacity.
The back seats are comfortable and provide good head and leg room, as well as a good view of the road.
Other standard features include OnStar communications for directions, road service, emergency notification and other guidance. Never stingy with standard features, Chevy also provides a year of XM Satellite Radio.
The exterior is designed to echo the styling of the Chevy Malibu, with a two-tier grille and prominent gold bow-tie emblem on the nose. Slightly bulging fender designs express muscularity without unbalancing the proportions. A nicely arching roofline flows smoothly to the liftgate and double round tail lamps that serve as attractive jewelry.
Structurally, the crossover is designed to provide a solid, quiet drive with the four-wheel-independent suspension tuned for greater control and driver feedback.
Standard features include power disc brakes with anti-lock system and stability and traction control. Buyers can enlarge the alloy wheels from the standard 17-inch diameters to 18 or 19-inchers.
Safety features include six standard air bags: dual frontal air bags; head curtain side air bags and seat-mounted side air bags to protect passengers' hips and chests.
General Motors faces some fierce competition in this segment, not only from Toyota and Honda, but also from the Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Escape and Jeep Liberty. The great unknown is how much impact GM's bankruptcy will have on buying behavior.
While sales have fallen for six straight quarters, the company saw some significant increases when owners of clunkers cashed in on the new federal subsidies in July. Overall, GM sees pretty strong indications that bankruptcy will not prove the company's death knell as originally feared.
"The key to restarting this company lies with GM's customers, cars and culture," GM Chief Executive Fritz Henderson said at this week's unveiling of the Volt. "With four focused brands, we are committed to exceeding our current customers' expectations and giving consumers plenty of reasons to choose a Chevy, Buick, GMC or Cadillac car or truck."
WHAT'S NEW: All new second generation for 2010.
PLUSES: Styling, comfort, utility, fuel economy.
MINUSES: GM's uncertain future.
BOTTOM LINE: Strong comeback car for GM.
(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)
AUTOS TODAY
With sidebar: AUTOSSIDE
