The Chevy Equinox is among the few compact sport utility vehicles that offers a V6 engine, which delivers good acceleration and is smooth enough. EPA fuel economy estimates are 19/24 mpg city/highway for front-drive models and 18/23 for the AWD version. The 3.4-liter V6 is an old overhead-valve design that lacks modern features such as variable valve timing and variable-length intake runners, and feels strained when pushed at high rpm. Power-delivery is modest at 185 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque.
The V6 engine is aided considerably by the five-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet says the Equinox can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, which should be adequate performance for most families. And while it may not excel at acceleration, Equinox is rated to pull a 3500-pound trailer.
Its long wheelbase and 3600-pound heft give the Chevy Equinox a decent ride, making it a suitable companion for long trips. Its handling is responsive and it's easy to modulate the brakes for smooth stops.
The Equinox has good road feel in highway driving, yet the driver may notice that steering effort is very low at low speeds for easier maneuvering in tight parking lots. The steering ratio is variable, and the Chevrolet Equinox uses electric, rather than hydraulic, power steering. An electronic control-unit programmed for a variety of performance characteristics regulates an electric motor mounted adjacent to the steering column, providing the right amount of assist for a given driving situation. 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.
In AWD guise, Equinox still sends power to the front wheels in dry-road conditions, automatically transferring power to the rear wheels only if the front wheels slip. The system is designed primarily for improved wet-pavement performance, but is rugged enough for some light off-road duty.
