Considering it has been quite a while since we reviewed an SUV, we thought May would be a good time to look into what SUVs are out there and what’s competitive in today’s market. Our search for the right SUV, however, came with a twist. It was less about finding the newest SUV on the market and more about which SUV is having the largest impact with buyers. After looking over the sales numbers, the decision was obvious and the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox was the clear victor and worthy of our “Car of the Month” for May. The 2010 Chevy Equinox expands GM’s roster of competitive crossover SUV’s and after two generations it appears that GM’s finally got it right as the Equinox is perfect for the usual family tasks such as family hauling, cargo carrying and commuting without sacrificing on comfort, style and a quiet ride. This is good for GM because the automotive stalwart needs all the good news it can get. First Drive From our first impression it is obvious that the ride and handling characteristics have substantially evolved with the 2010 Equinox, as the overall feel is much more of a car than an SUV. The steering is light and the body lean is reduced from previous versions making this crossover worth the effort. It’s not sporty but it is on par with its competitors such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. What's missing from the cabin is noise. GM’s engineers clearly went out of their way to make the Equinox incredibly quiet. With acoustic glass surrounding the front passengers, spray-in-place sound deadening, triple door seals, and active noise cancellation through the standard subwoofer, the result is a quiet and comfortable cabin. Not just for the segment, for the market. It's not quite at the level that many luxury SUVs and CUVs often brag about, but it clearly shows that Chevrolet is onto something. Under the Hood GM was wise by equipping the Equinox with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which is good for 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. Available on all but the LS is a 3.0-liter V6 that pushes out 264 hp and 222 lb-ft of torque. Both powerplants come with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional. In our opinion, opt for the V6 with all-wheel drive. Fuel economy is a pleasant surprise, as GM says the 2.4-liter four-cylinder version will achieve 22/32 mpg (city/hwy) with front-wheel drive and 20/29 with all-wheel drive. The 3.0-liter V6 tops out at 18/25 mpg with front-wheel drive and 17/24 mpg with all-wheel drive, allowing the Equinox to shrug off today’s ever-increasing gas prices. If you want to compare apples to oranges, the four-cylinder 2009 Toyota RAV4 returns just 21/27 while making nine less horsepower. The Interior and Exterior The Equinox comes in four different trim levels, LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ, each of which features attractive and variably designed interiors offering plenty of space for passengers and cargo. The front seats are comfortable and supportive allowing drivers of all sizes to ride in comfort. The useful 60/40 divided MultiFlex rear seat carries over and offers nearly eight inches of travel, so tall passengers can ride in back or the driver can push the rear seat forward to carry more cargo. Its roomy cabin and reasonable pricing proves that buyers can still get some nice amenities they wouldn't expect in this category. A few amenities and options that we like for 2010 include: blue ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, a hard-drive audio system, an integrated rearview camera with rear park assist, power rear lift-gate, a navigation system with voice recognition, a 40-gigabyte hard-drive, premium speakers and a USB port. Families can also splurge on a rear DVD entertainment system that comes with a screen in the back of each front seat and a USB port. Safety equipment is unabated and includes dual threshold front airbags, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, a tire-pressure monitor, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, hill start assist, traction control, and GM's StabiliTrak electronic stability control, making this crossover SUV one of the safest in its category. From the outside, the Equinox looks impressive and features Chevrolet’s now-signature two-tier grille with gold bowtie insignia. The headlights wrap around the front fender for modern appeal and the Equinox has pronounced fender flares and a wheels-at-the-corners stance, especially up front. The roof features wraparound side glass at the rear and tinted rear and rear side windows. All but the LS have luggage side rails; they're charcoal on LT models and they add chrome inserts on the LTZ and the 2LT with the Chrome Appearance Package. That package also adds chrome door handles and side mirrors. Seventeen-inch aluminum wheels are standard and 18- and 19-inch wheels are available to add more flair. In the rear, the Equinox features Chevy’s dual round taillights, a spinoff of the Malibu design and a roof spoiler. The tailgate opens upward, and a class-exclusive power, programmable tailgate is available. One cool feature that we learned about is that owners can program the tailgate to open to different heights so shorter drivers can reach it. Overall, the look of the 2010 Equinox is attractive and the LTZ's additional chrome trim adds a touch of class, especially with the chromed 19-inch wheels. The Bottom Line The 2010 Equinox has all the right improvements and amenities that make it stand out amongst its competitors, and with a starting price ranging from $22,016 up to $35,000 for a fully loaded LTZ, consumers are certain to find an Equinox that fits their lifestyle and budget. For the complete video review, pricing and image gallery, please visit NADAguides.com, and click on the Chevrolet Equinox on the homepage.

 
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2010 Chevrolet Equinox – May “Car of the Month”