2016 Chevrolet Equinox deserves more respect as a crossover

AHHH, NICE: Roomy, technically sharp, and nice looking, Chevy’s new Equinox is hood and shoulders above its competitors. Keith Griffin

By Keith Griffin @indepthauto

February 6, 2016

4 minutes to read

The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox is a crossover that rarely gets its due. Yet, it’s a consistently strong vehicle that stands up against anything on the market. Maybe its problem is people just don’t think Chevrolet when it comes to compact crossovers.

But they should, especially because this is a compact crossover in name only. Its interior cabin space is, well, spacious. This has always been a compact on the exterior that feels more like a midsize on the interior.

What makes it especially family friendly is its cargo space. There is 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 63.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. It’s going to handle a lot of what you can throw in it.

My love for the Equinox goes back to 2008. At the time, I was founder of the short-lived Internet Car and Truck of the Year. The Equinox was the first winner for truck of the year and has gone through a constant evolution of consistently being a better and better vehicle to drive.

There’s a choice of powertrains. The LTZ I drove was equipped with the 182 horsepower, 2.4-liter, inline four cylinder with variable valve timing. It has 172 lb.-ft. of torque. The 3.6-liter is rated at 301 horsepower and 272 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Chevy Equinox holds up well to the competition. I’ve driven the new Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 and I find the Equinox simply better to drive. It’s more comfortable over long drives and rides more quietly.

Plus, the Equinox redesign makes it the best looking of the three. For 2016, it receives a new front fascia and chrome-accented, dual-port grille design. Chevrolet is making the vehicles in its lineup more familial and it’s a look that works well on the Equinox.

Also, hands down, the Equinox 18-inch aluminum wheels on the LTZ trim level that Chevrolet loaned me for a week, are stunning. They were the first things I noticed on the car after it was delivered.

SEE AND BE SEEN: The Equinox’s premium projector-beam headlamps make it better to see by and more visible at night.

There are some technical additions I like about the Equinox for 2016. It gets new, premium projector-beam headlamps on all models that help make it more visible at night. After all, headlights aren’t just for seeing; they’re there to help you be seen, too.

The LTZ I drove comes available with OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Equinox was the first in the segment to offer 4G LTE and it provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected. The hotspot is on whenever the car is on and comes with a three-month/3GB data trial (whichever comes first, but something tells me 3GB is going to go quickly). It supposedly offers a stronger signal than your cellphone can, which could be appealing if you want connectivity in poor cellphone reception areas.

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The Chevy Equinox and other great auto insurance deals

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There are some other neat features. Enhanced connectivity and convenience with MyLink includes text message support and Siri Eyes Free. With text message support, the driver can be alerted to new messages and can have them read aloud, view, and respond to them (depending on the smartphone). Siri Eyes Free enables uses of iPhone4S and later to access Siri via the steering wheel controls and check calendar entries, have text messages read and respond to them, place calls, or call up music.

The Equinox comes with six standard air bags, including dual frontal air bags, head curtain side air bags, and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side air bags. Also standard are four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, traction control, and rollover mitigation. It also comes standard with a rear backup camera.

The Chevrolet Equinox LTZ trim level comes pretty loaded for $31,490. Add bells and whistles like MyLink radio with navigation for $890 and the enhanced convenience package with passenger power seat and power reargate for $890 and the price starts to climb north of $33,000. The Equinox is so well equipped, though, you might consider skipping those options.

2016 Chevrolet Equinox AWD

THE BASICS

Price, base (with destination): $32,385. Fuel economy: 20 city/29 highway/23combined. Drivetrain: 2.4-liter, four-cylinder with variable valve timing. Body: Four-door, all-wheel-drive, compact crossover.

THE SPECIFICS

Horsepower: 182 @ 6,700 rpm. Torque: 172 @ 4,900 rpm. Overall length: 187.8 in. Wheelbase: 112.5 in. Height: 66.3 in. Width: 72.5 in. Curb weight: 3,777 lbs.

THE GOOD

The Chevrolet Equinox is a nimble crossover with plenty of space and an interior that seems a cut above its pay grade.

THE BAD

It’s economy mode is just too underpowered. Has to be some kind of balance to give you power for acceleration when needed. Didn’t seem to be there.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The 2016 Chevrolet Equinox demonstrates how far Chevrolet has come as a manufacturer in just the last few years. It should top any consideration list in the compact crossover segment.