Chevrolet Equinox First Drive

The Chevrolet Equinox is one of the most popular compact SUVs in the U.S., offering a blend of practicality, comfort, and value. In its latest iteration, the Equinox has undergone some significant updates, making it more competitive in the crowded compact SUV segment. Here’s a breakdown of a first drive review based on its performance, comfort, features, and overall driving experience:

Performance and Driving Experience
The Chevrolet Equinox provides a comfortable and composed ride, making it an ideal choice for daily commuting or family road trips. While it’s not the most exciting SUV to drive, it offers a solid balance of performance and efficiency.

Engine Options: The 2024 Equinox comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces around 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, which is sufficient for the majority of daily driving situations, though it lacks the quick-shifting responsiveness of some competitors.

Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) is standard, but you can opt for All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for better traction in inclement weather.

Acceleration and Ride: The Equinox’s turbocharged engine provides decent acceleration, but it’s not as quick or punchy as some of its competitors like the Toyota RAV4 or Mazda CX-5. It takes around 8 seconds to go from 0-60 mph, which is perfectly fine for most drivers.

The ride quality is smooth, and the suspension absorbs road imperfections with ease. However, it’s not as refined as some higher-end SUVs, and the handling feels more utilitarian compared to sportier rivals. On highways, the Equinox is relatively quiet, with minimal road or wind noise seeping into the cabin.

Interior and Comfort
Inside, the Chevrolet Equinox focuses on practicality with a comfortable, straightforward cabin design. It doesn’t boast the luxurious touches of more premium vehicles, but it offers good value for the price.

Seating and Space: The front seats are comfortable with decent lumbar support, though they lack the higher-level adjustments or plush feel of more premium competitors. Rear seat passengers will find ample space, with enough legroom and headroom for adults on long trips. The 60/40 split-folding rear seats make it easy to expand the cargo area when needed.

Interior Materials: The materials are mostly hard plastics, but they feel sturdy and well-assembled. The higher trims add some soft-touch materials and accent stitching, giving the cabin a more upscale feel.

Cargo Space: The Equinox offers 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which expands to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. This is on par with many competitors in the segment, providing plenty of space for luggage, groceries, or camping gear.

Technology and Features
Chevrolet packs the Equinox with a wide array of tech features that are easy to use and intuitive.

Infotainment: The Chevy Infotainment 3 system comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base trim and 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. It’s compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to integrate your smartphone with the vehicle’s interface. The system itself is responsive, with simple navigation and clear graphics.

Audio: The 6-speaker audio system on the base models is decent, but higher trims offer an optional 7-speaker Bose premium audio system for a richer sound experience.

Safety and Driver Assistance: The 2024 Equinox comes standard with Chevy’s suite of safety features, including:

Forward collision warning

Automatic emergency braking

Lane-keeping assist

Blind-spot monitoring

Rear cross-traffic alert

Higher trims also offer additional features like Adaptive cruise control and Parking sensors. The inclusion of these technologies as standard is a big plus, especially at this price point.

Exterior Design
The Equinox has a clean, modern design, but it doesn’t stand out as much as some of its rivals in terms of boldness. It has a wide, sculpted grille, sharp headlights, and a streamlined profile. The rear features a subtle rear spoiler, adding to its sporty yet family-friendly appearance.

It’s a more conservative design compared to something like the Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage, but it works for those who prefer a more traditional SUV look. The overall proportions are balanced, giving it a solid, sturdy presence on the road.

Driving Impressions
On the road, the Chevrolet Equinox provides a stable and smooth ride. The steering is light, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces or during city driving. However, it lacks the precise handling of sportier competitors like the Mazda CX-5.

The suspension handles bumps and road imperfections well, and the Equinox feels comfortable on longer drives. It’s not particularly engaging to drive, but it’s competent and easy to live with for daily use.

Towing Capacity: The Equinox offers a respectable 1,500 lbs of towing capacity with the standard engine. While not the highest in the class, it’s adequate for small trailers or boats, and it’s a good option for buyers who need some towing capability without stepping up to a larger SUV.

Fuel Economy
The Chevrolet Equinox is reasonably fuel-efficient for its class:

FWD: 26 mpg city/31 mpg highway.

AWD: 25 mpg city/30 mpg highway.

These numbers are competitive in the compact SUV segment, making it a solid choice for those looking to save on fuel costs while still enjoying the versatility of an SUV.

Verdict
The Chevrolet Equinox is a practical and well-rounded compact SUV that offers a comfortable ride, a solid set of standard features, and competitive pricing. It’s not the most exciting to drive, but it meets the needs of many buyers with its smooth ride, decent performance, and family-friendly interior.

Pros:

Spacious and comfortable interior

Strong suite of standard safety features

Good fuel efficiency

Competitive pricing

Cons:

Lacks sportiness compared to some rivals

Interior materials could be more upscale

Mediocre acceleration and handling

If you’re looking for a reliable, no-frills SUV that covers the basics well and offers good value for money, the Equinox is a solid option. However, if you prioritize sportier driving dynamics or a more premium interior, you might want to consider some of its rivals, like the Mazda CX-5 or the Toyota RAV4.