General Motors will move the next-generation Chevrolet Equinox to an updated version of its Delta vehicle architecture shared with the Cruze, GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with the automaker’s future product plans.
The platform switch will give the Equinox a smaller exterior footprint while making it a global product available in markets around the world, which is in stark contrast to the situation with the current model that’s only available in North America. In addition, the next-generation Equinox will replace the Chevrolet Captiva that serves as Chevy’s only crossover in markets outside North America, although sources said that the Captiva name may remain and not be replaced with the Equinox nameplate. The Captiva shares the Theta II architecture with the Equinox, but the two vehicles are notably different.
Moving the Equinox to Delta will place the vehicle directly into the compact crossover segment where it will battle with the new Hyundai Santa-Fe and segment stalwarts Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4. Currently, the Equinox occupies a segment that’s between the compact and midsize crossover space, since the vehicle is large enough to be a midsize CUV yet lacks a third row — an aspect we’ve come to discuss (and criticize) frequently here at GM Authority as it serves as a disadvantage for GM. Nevertheless, the all-new third-generation Delta-based Equinox is expected to come to market as a 2016 model-year vehicle in 2015.
Comments
Does that mean that another SUV/CUV will fill in the gap between next gen. Equinox and Traverse? could it be new Trail Blazer?
Or a global Epsilon?! 🙂
but then if the Equinox is going on Delta? Then what about the GMC terrain??
We’re hearing a couple of different things right now, but it appears that they haven’t yet made a decision on the matter.
The obvious choice, of course, is that the Terrain will move to Delta as well. But they could also keep it on the Theta for the sake of differentiating Chevy and GMC… if it makes financial sense to do so. My guess is that the Terrain will follow the Equinox in moving to Delta.
Because GM would need a Midsize crossover if both are moving to Delta. When I saw the news first I was surprised that they would do that. If this happens, GM would have to have the midsize crossover based on the Epsilon 2. Just like how the Edge will be based on the Mondeo platform
I’m thinking that Lambda will go away, even though Lambda II is under development as we speak. Instead, Traverse and Acadia will move down to become true mid-sized crossovers riding on an Epsilon derivative. Remember this?
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/02/next-gen-gmc-acadia-to-ditch-lambda-move-to-premium-theta/
What if it’s not Theta, but actually Epsilon?
True but I don’t think ditching the Lambdas isn’t such a good idea not unless this new midsize crossover platform can make about the same size as the Lambda platform in terms of space. People buy these Lambda triplets in terms of lots of space. They don’t want a cramp backseat like the ones in the Highlander, etc. Or not unless they can make the Equinox/Terrain going Delta and then introduce a new midsize crossover in their lineup and then the fullsize crossovers.
Or killing the Theta and Lambda platforms and put them in terms of Epsilon 2 and Super Epsilon platform.
I’m liking this. They need less platforms. Most car companies have crossovers and sedans on the same platform.
GM absolutely needs to do this. My wife and I (am GM employee) just purchased an AWD Mazda CX-5. By comparison, the Equinox is heavier, more expensive when similarly equipped, has LESS cargo space, less ground clearance and gets no where close to the 31mpg hwy that the AWD CX-5 easily achieves. I actually got an average of 35 mpg over 190 miles two weekends ago with a slight tailwind and mixed freeway and back-roads driving.
Additionally, I think the Hyundai Tucson will be a more appropriate competitor to the new Delta-based Equinox. The Santa Fe would be a better comparison to the current gen Nox.
Not surprised that even a GM employee would go to Mazda. Those who work in the industry are probably more discerning, if not driven by discount incentives and peer pressure.
We usually read a list of Ford, Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai in discussions comparing CUVs in this class, but it is Mazda that probably has a better product than all of them. (Why do people leave out Mazda?) The Mazda 3 would also clean up if Mazda were a bigger company in the base. Read up on SkyActive and have a look at lots of independent reviews. If GM came out with this technology in the same body styles it would absolutely crush the competition. I’m particularly intrigued by the SkyActive transmission. I have to believe that GM’s engineers are just as good, but are probably not given free reign to do what’s best in an overly slow and conservative organization. As an engineer in a big organization, I know all about this sort of thing.
Think about it. We’re having a discussion here about a car slated (MAYBE) to come out in the 2015/16 time frame. SkyActive will be in a second generation by then, and that much further ahead.
I was referring to the new Santa-Fe, which has two variants — short and long. The short one would is a direct competitor to the new Escape, CX5, RAV4, and the 3rd gen Equinox. The Tucson is somewhat of a subcompact given its dimensions.
Even so, the Mazda makes a good crossover. Too bad GM is still reactively transforming its lineup.
isn’t Tucsun a CR-V competitor?
Not really. It’s quite a bit smaller, being a subcompact. The new Santa-Fe is becoming a compact (Sport) and a midsize (“regular”).
Not really…. Tucson’s wheelbase is slightly longer than the CR-V even though the length is shorter but headroom, leg room are bigger in Tucson
Lol drive the RAV, CR-V and Tucson back-to-back. The Tucson and Sportage are clearly a size below the first two.
I saw it on the dimensions area and that’s what it says…. I already felt like Tucson feels more smaller than my Terrain but that’s “According to Hyundai”
Sonic hatch / Encore competitor?
JeremyK needs to check the name on his paycheck. You build product you won’t drive. You should probably find a better job.
I like the Equinox, but it’s not the “best” for what my family needs. I’m also an engineer, so I’m an independent thinker and objective by nature. The Mazda is actually my wife’s car and she brings in her own money (not from GM). I own a Volt!
It’s his money, he can buy whatever car he wants from whatever manufacturer he wants.
@Grawdaddy I think someone would call that “economic sanctions”… or something… 🙂
Nuh-uh! It’s a form of consumer protest!
The protest is so quiet, you can’t even hear it in action…or even give an ounce of care.
😉
And where is the Voltec Equinox? GM is taking too much time to bring in a EREV CUV or SUV. The original Equinox had a EV power train in 2008 when GM produced the FCV, thus it was GM’s second EV (after the EV1), and the Volt is the third. Adding a larger battery and a smaller gasoline or CNG fuel cell would make it the “perfect” EV.
If GM brings in the EREV Equinox for the 2014 model year, it will kill off all the hybrid SUVs!
That’s like working at Walmart shopping at Kmart. like taking a bus to work when you drive a cab for a living. Like brown bagging your lunch when you work in a restaurant. Like going to war when the UN tells you when you’re the President of the United States.
I hope you’re not suggesting that the workers should be able to afford what the build. I’m sure Marx said something about that too.
Tell that one the Rolls Royce assembly workers about being able to buy what they make.
Does this mean its going to lose its independent rear suspension?
What I think GM should do is if they want a FWD full-size crossover, have it based on the Super-Epsilon Platform even though it is only a stretched version of another platform. If they want to produce a RWD full-size crossover, have it based on the Alpha or Zeta Platform for the ability to have a V8. For a midsize FWD crossover, the Epsilon II and Sigma II for RWD (I don’t know why they would want to do that, but that is how I think of it.)
For a compact FWD crossover, GM should have it based on the Delta II, while a RWD should be on the Alpha. Anyone is free to correct and criticize, for this is merely an opinion and I’m not clearly sure if it is possible.
So, for 2014 no change in the Nox. And after that a smaller Nox. So, when I am ready for another Nox in 2014 my choice will be the ford Edge. You cannot win with GM. I have been a verbal champion of the Nox. GM had a bail-out, and it has been replaced by poor management.
SO YOU LOST A CUSTOMER…..BIG DEAL….YOU SAY, PLENTY MORE WHERE HE CAME FROM.
But, comming up………you will “not” be too big to fail….and fail you will.
Disgusted…
Richard
Cornwall, PA
When this happens, though, there could be a new vehicle introduced between the new smaller Nox and the Traverse.
As far as the market goes, the bulk of crossover sales take place in the compact segment that the new Nox will occupy… So they will likely sell even more copies of the smaller one. Everything GM is doing today is a best business practice… a bailout is not in the cards by a long shot.
Equinox on Delta and smaller? NOOOOOO!!
…..and not bigger either (like Traverse.) There has always been a just-right feel about our AWD Equinox, and dropping to a smaller-sized Equinox will not earn my repeat business. It’s a good thing, Martha, just the way it is!
If you want to know,, I want the same AWD in a big car, and I drive Chevies. I have five in the driveway right now. Don’t tell me about AWD buicks and Caddies — put AWD on the new Impala, and I’ll bet it will even handle better as well as becoming a safer, more predictable ride, especially in Michigan winters that I am forced to enjoy.
Don’t we already have the downsized version of the Equinox? I think it’s called the Buick Encore.
@mikeb The Encore/Trax are subcompact crossovers. It’s not the sweetspot of CUV demand, since the market is moving (en masse) to compact units (about 180 inches in length) such as the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, and the upcoming 3rd-generation Equinox.
Alex what does the Saturn Vue/Chevrolet Captiva count as?