Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Chevrolet Equinox Review (2014)


Whats New For 2014

Newcars-reviews.blogspot.com - For 2014, the chevrolet equinox is essentially unchanged.

Introduction

Since its introduction around the time of 2010, the chevrolet equinox has also been one amongst our favorite small crossover suvs due to its combination of excellent appearance, comfort and practicality. Compared to firmly more cash recently introduced or redesigned models, the 2014 chevy equinox isnt quite as desirable because it once was, other then its still a model youll probably wish taking a inspect if youre buying a compact crossover.

High by the equinoxs positive attribute list happens to be the availability of the robust v6 engine. Additional and additional automakers are dropping the optional v6s from their small crossover lineups thanks to fuel economy considerations or perhaps a claimed lack of consumer demand. This leaves the equinox ( and its gmc twin, the terrain ) as one amongst merely a couple of models in 2014 that offers six-cylinder grunt for towing or hauling or merely to firmly satisfy your desire for speed.

The equinox too gets a thumbs-up to its overall ride comfort and also the quietness of its cabin. This small chevy doesnt provide quite as abundant cargo capability as a few rivals, other then theres still enough to simply subsume the typical items that almost all individuals will certainly be wishing to haul. And, we probably love that the equinoxs rear seat each reclines and slides back to present second-row occupants first-class legroom.


Less impressive happens to be the equinoxs 2. 4-liter four-cylinder engine thats customary for all trim levels. It really has solid epa fuel economy ratings, other then out within the whole real world, weve been underwhelmed by each its performance and its fuel economy. Handling isnt a robust suit for our equinox either, and its steering isnt terribly precise even by budget crossover suv standards.

If practicality will be your prime priority, youd be wise to verify out the roomier and multitalented honda cr-v or probably the kia sorento, that too possesses a v6 possibility and an on the market third-row seat. Shoppers searching for a additional entertaining driving experience will additionally wish to appear at sportier models just like the ford escape, mazda cx-5 or volkswagen tiguan. Other then all things thought-about, the 2014 chevrolet equinox is really worth a look, significantly if youre fascinated by alittle crossover with the use of a truly upscale interior while a v6 engine possibility.


Body designs, trim levels, and options

The 2014 chevrolet equinox could be a compact crossover suv thats offered in 3 trim levels : ls, lt and ltz.

Customary equipment by the entry-level ls includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, a driver seat with power height adjustment, a 60/40-split second-row seat that slides and reclines, cruise management, a trip laptop, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls, bluetooth phone connectivity, onstar communications while a six-speaker sound system with the use of a cd player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio input jack while a usb/ipod interface.

The lt trim level is really split into 2 subsets : 1lt and 2lt. The 1lt adds heated mirrors, rear privacy glass, roof rack aspect rails, premium cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rearview camera and an upgraded audio system that possesses a 7-inch touchscreen ( chevys mylink interface ), bluetooth audio connectivity, voice controls and smartphone integration for internet radio apps like pandora.

Moving up to firmly the 2lt gets you foglights, remote begin, automatic climate management, heated front seats, an eight-way power driver seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror while a pioneer sound system with eight speakers.

Springing for our top-of-the-line ltz gets you a few nice extras, as well as 18-inch chromed alloy wheels, a power liftgate, rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, an eight-way power passenger seat, driver memory settings while a lane departure warning system with forward collision alert. Ltz models equipped in the v6 engine too get firmer suspension tuning.

A few as to the customary features on higher trim levels are bundled into possibility packages will be'>which might be added to firmly the less expensive models. Alternative choices embrace 19-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels ( ltz v6 merely ), a sunroof, a navigation system ( 2lt and ltz ) while a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system ( ltz merely ).


Powertrains and performance

The 2014 chevrolet equinox is offered with one amongst 2 powertrains. A 2. 4-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque is customary across the model lineup, as absolutely really undoubtedly are a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. An all-wheel-drive system is optional.

Lt and ltz models are too on the market with the use of a 3. 6-liter v6 that produces 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque. In testing as to the essentially identical gmc terrain v6, we recorded a 0-60 mph time of 7. Zero seconds, a formidable time among small and midsize crossovers with the use of a six-cylinder or upgraded turbocharged engine. Not surprisingly, epa fuel economy estimates to get this engine are considerably lower at 17/24/20 with front-wheel drive and 16/23/19 with all-wheel drive.

Properly equipped, four-cylinder models can tow up to firmly 1, 500 pounds. In the v6, towing capability climbs to firmly 3, 500 pounds.


Safety

Customary safety features by the 2014 chevy equinox embrace antilock disc brakes, traction and stability management, front seat side-impact airbags and aspect curtain airbags. Too customary is gms onstar emergency communications system, that includes automatic crash notification, an emergency assistance button, remote door unlock and stolen vehicle assistance. A rearview camera is customary for all trims except the ls. Customary by the ltz and optional by the 2lt are rear parking sensors and frontal collision and lane departure warning systems.


Interior design and special features

Within, the 2014 chevrolet equinox offers a stylish cabin utilizing a distinctive dual-cowl design that appears all the additional appealing when using the offered two-tone color theme. The quality of one's materials is simply average, however the overall impact is quite pleasing, particularly compared to actually a number of the chevys competitors, that dont place as abundant priority on design.

Another strength here will be the audio systems touchscreen interface ( 1lt and higher than ) that features customizable menus similar to actually those on modern smartphones. The mylink system incorporates bluetooth streaming audio capability, that allows it to actually work with famous smartphone apps like pandora and stitcher. Weak spots here embrace the touchscreens occasional slow processing times and missed responses to actually bit inputs.

Seating comfort and legroom is sensible all around, and also the sliding and reclining second-row seats enable you to actually expand the number of legroom within the whole rear. The downside to actually all this space being devoted to actually passengers is the fact that the equinox offers less cargo area than several competitors, with 31. 4 cubic feet of storage behind the 60/40-split rear seats. Fold each sections of these seatbacks down and also the interior maxes out at 63. 7 cubic feet of cargo space -- the cr-v and sorento supply a little over 70 cubic feet of capability.


Driving impressions

The driving character of one's 2014 chevrolet equinox is largely dictated by whats underneath the hood. Though the four-cylinder equinox matches the acceleration times of different compact crossovers during this value vary, it doesnt feel as potent out within the whole real world. Youll have the gas pedal floored throughout routine merging and passing maneuvers, and this isnt terribly relaxing. In distinction, the v6 is downright impressive. It provides robust and swish performance in any situation.


The equinoxs handling abilities are nothing special. The steering isnt terribly precise, and also the chevys suspension is tuned to actually favor comfort over sharp handling around turns. The upside, in fact, could be a swish ride thats enhanced from the overall serenity of one's cabin.