2012 Chevrolet Equinox Philadelphia

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2012 Chevy Equinox Design

The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox styling doesn't change beyond some new exterior color choices from the 2011 model. It continues as a four-door wagon with a one-piece rear liftgate. Styling highlights include a single-horizontal-bar grille that's nice interpretation of Chevy's strong family face. Bold wheel arches, a raked-forward stance, and the illusion of wrap-around tailgate glass complete a clean, confident look. Equinox's exterior dimensions are smack dab in the middle of the midsize-SUV field. The 2012 Equinox should return in four trim levels, base LS, volume 1LT, slightly plusher and 2LT, and top-of-the-line LTZ.

2012 Chevrolet Equinox Interior

There are some nice touches. The ice blue ambient lighting is a delightful feature. It's standard on all models, but you get more as you go up the range. Equinox LS models have it on the center stack surround and in the center console cupholders. Equinox LT models add it on the instrument panel and center console, and the Equinox LTZ gets it in the door handle recesses, in the footwells and in the door map pockets. Equinox offers dual-zone automatic climate control, a hard-drive audio system and a dual-screen rear DVD entertainment system. Space is not a problem in the Equinox. Cloth or leather, the front seats are comfortable and supportive. GM obviously spent some money here. They are especially attractive in leather, with their two-tone coloring and contrast stitching. The front seats have 10 inches of travel and the steering wheel tilts and telescopes, so everyone from the very short to the very tall will be comfortable.

2012 Equinox Handling

Anyone who avoided the first-generation Equinox due to its cumbersome handling characteristics no longer has to worry about that problem. The Equinox is now more carlike. The copious body lean is gone and passengers can ride in comfort without their heads being tossed side to side with every flick of the steering wheel. The steering is light and somewhat numb, and the brakes are easy to modulate, but the new Equinox is every bit as good as a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 in terms of handling.

To find happiness with a four-cylinder Equinox, you need to understand what this vehicle carries for weight. Around-town pep is fine, and merging onto the highway is slightly slow, but expected in a 4000 pound vehicle. The V-6 generates more power which translates into extra acceleration in situations that require it. You might expect more from 265 horsepower but soon realize the important figure is this 3.0-liter's 222 pound-feet of torque, which is sufficient to scoot a 4000-pound wagon with reasonable pep.

If you make peace with a four-cylinder Equinox's leisurely pace and you'll free yourself to enjoy this crossover's many other dynamic virtues. Atop the list is that well-calibrated suspension with European DNA. Equinox handles with pleasing competence: grip is good, body lean in directional changes is never exaggerated, though there's never much power to pull you through corners quickly. Straight-line stability is great, with Equinox's steering flawed only by a reluctance to return to center after low-speed turns.

 Conclusions Chevy Equinox

The Chevrolet Equinox is sized like a midsize and priced like a compact. Equinox offers useful interior space for people and cargo, as well as class-leading fuel economy. It looks good, has a smooth, comfortable ride, and now handles much better than its predecessor. Small families looking to downsize from a large, inefficient SUV will find the Equinox a good value. Completely redesigned for 2011, today's Equinox is a vast improvement over the first-generation models.. For more info on this vehicle visit the official 2012 Chevy Equinox website.