The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is not the same crossover you know now. It’s smaller, now categorized as a compact, and rides on identical architecture as the 2016 Chevrolet Cruze.
These monumental changes obviously meant for an all-new design direction, and we’re here to ask if the 2018 Equinox is a looker or a loser in today’s Hot or Not.
We’ll start with the good, at least from our vantage point. The rear of the 2018 Equinox looks good. Really good. Designers are getting pretty talented at skewing consumers into thinking a crossover is really an SUV. That’s apparent in the 2018 Equinox’s rakish rear profile, ditching the round liftgate for, dare we say, something akin to the global Chevrolet Trailblazer. It works.
Up front, it’s a toss-up after discussing with the staff here. We’ve heard Honda HR-V, bloated Cruze hatchback and more. Chevrolet will tell you, though, that the front end design is sleek and slippery. It’s unoffensive, but it may not be the best implementation of Chevy’s latest design face.
The side profile once again looks better from the caboose, as a frontal side profile glance gives off just a smidge of multi-purpose vehicle. It’s not a bad thing, but the side profile is certainly the most awkward angle of the 2018 Equinox.
Overall, the 2018 Equinox exhibits a very coherent design. And its fresh looks will certainly move buyers clamoring for the latest crossover into dealerships. But, it’s your turn to speak up. Vote in our poll and talk to us down below.
Comments
I agree with you on the front. They could have done a better job. Too busy I like clean and simple.
It’s okay. There is something Mazda about the arching of the front wheel wells.
Without wrap around real glass effect this would look like a Dodge Durango which is never a bad thing.
I don’t mind front facada. A departure is needed from the current Chevy face.
Overall good changes. GMs biggest change with it’s vehicles are in the structural and weight changes, while looks are evolutionary not revolutionary.
While I’m confident that the new vehicle on the D2XX platform will be a major upgrade, I think the design is way too conservative. Without seeing them side-by-side it actually looks so much like the current model that some folks might not think they changed it.
THE Bob Lutz?
With the over all size change, rear end treatment and the non slab side panels I think it will stand out very well from the present model.
I rather think few will mistake it.
But if they do it is the second best selling Chevy in the line up so that would not be all bad.
We must remember this is going to be about the size of the Buick Envision and much of the weight loss is due to the smaller and lighter platform with better packaging.
I voted hot because it does look better. You sure can tell one from the other without a side by side comparison. The only thing I don’t care for is the front and the way they did the grille design.
I have a 2012 Equinox LTZ V6. It turned 5 years old last month and has 62,000 miles on it. It has been bulletproof, with no problems and not a rattle or squeak. It still looks new inside and out. As my first new Chevy since 1981, I am very pleased. My only gripes included the old fashioned foot operated parking brake, the hard plastic where I rest my left elbow on the window sill and the fact that I can’t put golf clubs in the back without lowering half of the rear seat back. It looks like Chevy has “fixed” those concerns. I like the looks of the new Nox. I wish the V6 was optional but the 2.0 turbo should suffice. I hope it doesn’t require premium fuel as that would offset the improved fuel economy. I also wish they had retained the sliding rear seat but I will definitely be in the market for this vehicle when the 2.0/9-speed becomes available.
It looks like everything else on the road. Chev has adopted the same shaped gril as everybody else: Ford, Subaru, Audi, Genesis and so many more.
Love it. But like the Malibu, it would have to be available with a V6 for me to drive it home.
The 2.0 turbo might surprise us. It does well in the Camaro and the ATS.
I think Chevy did a fantastic job with this one! The overall design is quite attractive; save for the face, which isn’t ugly but looks a tad awkward. The same could be said about the Malibu’s “frumpy”, “catfish-looking” front facial design. The interior looks to have taken the most out of the D2XX platform and created a spacious looking cabin. I also like that this CUV will feature a 40 mpg diesel option along with a 9-speed automatic! All this certainly makes the Equinox a worthy contender in this segment!
Not hot. But thankfully no longer bland.
Eh, well now it’s too small. And why can’t it have a proper V6 engine?
Regulations unfortunately. My current SUV/CUV has a v6 and I would not want an inline 4 in it, even if it’s a turbo
I recently drove a Cruze which had the four cylinder turbo, and I didn’t like the power band at all because it seemed to get really anemic over 4000 RPM. I have an Enclave with the 3.6 liter V6, and it has a very nice torque curve, but also screams our power to almost 6000 RPM.
That’s what I like about my car as well. The higher the RPM the more power. I’ve decided on a 3.6 ATS over 2.0T because of this. The turbo is quick and peppy but the v6 is so much more raw power.
Would have liked to see the back quarter a little more stylish with styling cues similar to the Murano or Lexus RX.
looks better than Buick Envision.
barely
If gm thinks about making a “sport” model with the 3.6L supercharged engine then I will definitely trade my 2008 Equinix Sport for it. But in the meantime im not convinced by it.
The more I look at it the less I like that pillar by the backseat. The first reason is that I’ve seen competitors using that pillar the same way… making this design blend in too much with those competitors… reducing the WOW factor to ME TOO.
If you can do this in your mind — I’d rather the angle of that pillar reverse. So that it is parallel with the panel in front of the front seat. I believe that one switch would instantly make the car unique.
I’ve owned 6 new Equinox’s in the past 5 years and this is ugly and being on a Cruze (D2XX) platform, ah no thanks.
The two new ones I have now are excellent and deliver 4-5 more MPG than the window sticker shows!
Which engine? 4 or 6?
I think it would totally outsell the Malibu….it looks ten times better than the sloping roofline Malibu.
Elroy,
The 4 cylinder 29-30 mpg (FWD) combined
JP
Hey GM..let’s get an SS line back on this model..how about some typoon and cyclone 2.. supercharged 3.6 motors.. get some pep back in the step..it would be sellers for sure. People in many forums have been talking and asking for it for years. Your leaving us to have to make our own up.
Agreed, but super high performance SUVs haven’t been very politically correct for the last eight years. And don’t help with meeting CAFE standards either. Maybe now things will change.
I can’t believe how Fugly this thing is And these half wits are saying it’s nice? That front grill is beyond fixing up door Chevy. That was the biggest mistake. Then we get a look at the rear were they thought of copying Nissan and Toyota with a floating roof line and failed. Is to old people for me. I bet people who think it’s nice are Chevy people. Wrenched Domestic junk.
This is a old thread but after 2 years observing this 2018 refresh on the road I still don’t like anything about it. The 2017 Equinox was the perfect size for me and I really dislike the squashed rear roof and the odd side door belt likes that makes the vehicle look like it has been in a collision.
We bought a new 2017 Equinox and love it. Our problem is that for unknown reasons the ever popular Equinox was downsized in 2018 and adorned with some really odd styling that we still object to even after three years on the road. Things like the squashed down rear roof that one reviewer described as looking like “a droopy baby diaper” and the really odd belt line curves that make the sides of the vehicle look like it has been in a collision.
Looking online it appears there is no styling refresh set for Equinox out to 2021 and nothing on offer for us at GM as the comparably sized Buick Envision styling is becoming dated and all other offerings from GM are either too big or like the Chevy Trax too small for us.
The size of 2017 Equinox was neither too big or too small. it was perfect GM should have left it alone.