2009 Chevy Equinox Philadelphia

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2009 Chevy Equinox Design

The Equinox looks solidly planted on its wheels. Equinox is based on a car-type platform, with unit-body construction rather than body-on-frame construction for better ride and handling

In the broadside view, Equinox looks different from the rest of the Chevy Truck family. The roof pillars and the sheetmetal above the windows but below the roof seem to be extra-thick, imparting a feeling of extra solidity and strength, important for a truck made on a car platform. When you shut the doors, the sound is more like the muted mating of plastic than the hollow clang of sheetmetal. It's a sound that no other Chevy truck makes.

The Chevy Equinox is aerodynamically smooth, thanks to a subtle shaping of front and rear fascias as well as the rear spoiler. From the front, Equinox still looks the part of a Chevy truck, with its requisite single-bar grille sporting a large gold Chevrolet bow-tie emblem.

Handling of the 2009 Chevy Equinox

StabiliTrak electronic stability control helps drivers maintain control during sudden maneuvers or in low-traction conditions by using a comprehensive series of sensors to measure acceleration, deceleration, steering angle and yaw rate. The system steps in when the Equinox doesn't seem to be going where the driver intended. When that happens, StabiliTrak regains control by regulating acceleration or applying the brakes at individual wheels, a feat no driver can perform. Trailer sway control is built in to the system but doesn't replace a proper hitch setup. All-wheel drive improves stability on wet pavement, which makes it a valuable safety feature. The system sends the power to the front wheels in normal conditions on dry roads; it automatically transfers power to the rear wheels only if the front wheels slip.

The Equinox has good road feel in highway driving, yet steering effort is lighter at low speeds for easier maneuvering in tight parking lots. The steering ratio is variable, and the Equinox uses electric, rather than hydraulic, power steering. We don't think the average driver will feel the difference between this system and more conventional hydraulics, and that's a good thing. Unlike a hydraulic servo, the electric booster doesn't use engine power, resulting in slightly better fuel economy.

2009 Chevy Equinox Lineup

Equinox Sport FWD and Sport AWD get the bigger V6 and six-speed automatic, a sports suspension, 18-inch forged alloy wheels with 50-series tires, aerodynamic spoilers and rocker moldings, dual chrome exhaust tips, gauge package, and sport seats. Options include the tow package, audio upgrades, and sunroof.

Equinox LTZ FWD and LTZ AWD add leather seats, front-seat heaters, chrome-clad aluminum wheels, Pioneer seven-speaker sound system with subwoofer, body-color bumpers with charcoal trim and chrome inserts on the roof rails, and body-color mirrors. Options include a tow package navigation/radio upgrade, DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and sunroof.

Equinox LT FWD and LT AWD add carpeted floor mats, deep tinted glass, power mirrors, leather-wrap steering wheel, and iPod/MP3/RDS audio system. Door handles and roof-rack side rails are body-color rather than charcoal or black. Option Package 2LT adds fog lights, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror with temperature display and compass, six-way power driver seat adjuster with manual lumbar adjustment and map pocket, remote start, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Options for LT include a 6CD audio system upgrade, a tilt-and-slide sunroof, a remote starter, luggage rack crossbars, 17-inch chromed aluminum wheels, and Pioneer sound system.

Equinox LS FWD and LS AWD come with cloth upholstery; air conditioning; cruise control; tilt steering; a fold-flat front passenger seat; a Multi-Flex 60/40 split rear bench seat that folds, slides, and reclines; six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio; power windows, power mirrors, power locks with remote keyless entry, side curtain airbags and OnStar. Tires are Bridgestone P235/65 all-season radials on 16-inch alloy wheels. A driver information center comes standard. Options for LS include an upgraded audio system with MP3 capability, engine block heater, and carpeted floor mats.

Interior of the 2009 Chevy Equinox

The Sport interior is trimmed in dark ebony, with the requisite leather-wrapped steering wheel and more heavily bolstered front seats. All the practical flexibility of the regular Equinox remains, however.

OnStar offers interaction with live human beings who provide information and respond to questions. You can ask them for the location of the nearest Italian restaurant, for example. OnStar's Turn-by-Turn Navigation service lets the driver or passenger to talk to a live adviser, who sends complete step-by-step audio directions, as needed, that can be played through the vehicle's stereo speakers after the OnStar operator hangs up. The directions are triggered as needed by the OnStar system's GPS capabilities. This enables drivers to find their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. OnStar operators will dispatch rescue crews to the scene should your airbags deploy and you fail to respond to their calls, an excellent safety feature for you or your loved ones. OnStar always knows the location of your vehicle. Simply press the blue button and a human operator responds, to provide directions and other assistance. They can unlock your doors if you lock your keys inside. They can direct you to the nearest gas station or help find a motel. If your vehicle is stolen, OnStar can pinpoint its location and direct the authorities to apprehend and recover.

Rear-passenger legroom in the Equinox is excellent. The rear seat rides on a track that allows it to slide back and forth up to eight inches, to bring kids or briefcases closer to the front, or to provide extra legroom for tall second-row passengers. With both front and rear seats in the full rearward positions, there's more rear-passenger legroom in the Equinox than you'll found in many larger SUVs: a full 40.2 inches. With the rear seat completely forward, there's 35.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind it. But even with the seat pushed back into limousine position, there's still plenty of room for your stuff. GM calls this innovative feature the Multi-Flex rear seat.

Conclusion

The Chevy Equinox is larger than other compact SUVs. Its flexible interior design provides room for five full-size people and their gear, featuring a sliding second-row seat. Equinox comes standard with a V6 and, with an ongoing set of improvements, offers good value. The Equinox Sport is more responsive and more fun to drive with little impact to fuel economy.

Some information for this review was obtained from NewCarTestDrive.com