The Fast Lane Car has gone prototype hunting yet again. This time, it seems the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has been the target in the latest video. It’s not certain, but there are some cues that lend itself to the upcoming, compact Chevy CUV.
Foremost, the grille shape looks undeniably Chevrolet, notably in the split looking design. The wheels also look very GM for a test vehicle. Furthermore, the shape of the vehicle also mimics what we’ve seen from previous spy shots.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox will shrink over its current generation, and will ride on the D2XX platform shared with the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. In the process, its smaller footprint will open up space for a proper midsize crossover to slot between the Equinox and full-size 2018 Chevrolet Traverse.
Other than that, details are obscure on the next-generation Equinox. We don’t expect Chevrolet to rush this vehicle though, while current Equinox sales stay hot in the midst of the crossover sales boom.
Comments
As a current Equinox owner, I am looking forward to the next generation Equinox. My current one is a 2012 LTZ that is now 5 years old. In 61,000 miles it has been totally trouble-free and is very pleasant to drive. 3,000 mile round trip vacation drives have been absolutely pleasurable, with a quiet, comfortable ride and plenty of space for cargo. My V6 easily delivers 25mpg on the highway. I know the next generation model will be smaller. I hope improvements include elimination of the old foot style parking brake, soft material on the doors for resting my elbow and better interior packaging without losing the awesome rear legroom. I can’t put golf clubs in the rear without lowering half of the year seat. Really need more width back there. I’d still prefer a V6 but that may not be in the cards. If they go turbo-4, I hope it will run on regular gas, not premium like the requirement for my wife’s Buick Cascada.
You will see this one packaged a little better than the last one. It may have about he same space but more usable room.
I do not expect a V6
The Turbo will be Premium recommended not required. GM and Chevy both like the recommended status as not to scare off those who do not want to pay the extra few cents for fuel in a value leading brand.
Keep in mind this will be a down sized vehicle vs. todays model. It will be smaller outside and about the same inside. The price will drop slightly too.
The Terrain will also drop in size since the new Acadia is now just slightly larger than the Terrain and it also came down in price. GM is moving these vehicles in size range and we will see newer larger AWD and RWD models in the future to take the larger slot.
The Chevy slots will be
Trax
Nox
Traverse
new Colorado based model
Tahoe
Suburban
They repositioning will better align GM and make room for more profit centered models.
I thought that the Traverse was going to remain full size? And the new mid sizer would rank below the Traverse. Or has that changed?
It will be a long wheel based version of the Acadia platform. Yes it is called fulls size but not like it is now.
I would also expect a short wheel base Chevy after the long arrives.
I expect many Present Terrain owners to move to an Acadia and the Nox will remain in the same or move to the Traverse if they do the SWB.
GM is looking to exploit any part of the CUV and SUV segment as this is where the volume and money is.
Like em or not this is where the profits are and GM has one of the most complete lines coming to deal with it on all levels, types and sizes.
Still kind of thinking if whether if I should jump to the next gen terrain or go for the envision as right now I have a 2012 terrain with the V6
I looked at the Envision. It is small in the rear compartment and expensive. Low $40’s until the 2wd version come in this fall. I wasn’t as impressed with this vehicle as I thought I would be. Think I will wait on the new Equinox or Terrain.
The Nox and Terrain will be similar size but cheaper
I mean I like the way it looks on the Envision. I understand that the Nox/Terrain/Envision are going to be smaller than that of the Theta II platforms in general because now it’s based on new Cruze platform and I expect to be smaller. I guess I’ll just wait and see how the next Nox/Terrain looks. As well as I’m kinda liking the 4 year 50k miles warranty instead of 3 year 36k miles.
I have a 2009 Equinox, but I will replace it only with a EREV or hybrid Equinox.