2018 Chevrolet Equinox: What We Like And Dislike
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We’ve had around two months to digest what what we think of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, and there’s a lot to like. There’s also a bit of criticism that perhaps you also empathize with. After reading, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
What We Like
- Focus On Intended Function: Evolutionary improvements and a more compact size will make the new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox a winner in most circles, set to deliver what consumers deem most valuable to them. These qualities include technology, safety and efficiency. The 2018 Equinox aims to be abundant in all three.
- Diesel Powertrain: the biggest surprise is perhaps Chevrolet’s intent to launch the 2018 Equinox with a 1.6L diesel engine shared with the new Chevrolet Cruze. It’s expected that the 2018 Equinox Diesel will feature 136 hp at 3,500 to 4,000 rpm and 236 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm, while providing an estimated 40 mpg on the highway. Hopefully it’s not too expensive.
- Streamlined Positioning: No longer is the Chevrolet Equinox a “tweener” crossover SUV slotted between two segments. While highly successful, Chevrolet saw it more strategic for the Equinox to shrink itself in order to fit exactly into the C-segment of crossovers, helping contribute to a 400-lb weight loss. This will inevitably leave room for a methodically-positioned midsize crossover to slot above it, likely the size of the 2017 GMC Acadia.
What We Dislike
- Genericore Design: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we have beheld the following conclusion: The design of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, while clean and modern, could also be mistaken for something Japanese or Korean. Granted, this vehicle is bound to sell all over the world, including China, but there seems to be less and less American flair coming out of the Chevy design studio as the years go on. Only because Chevrolet is an American brand is there some expectation for the bold designs it’s been known for. Yet, perhaps it’s better than some gimmicky taillight design and calling it “Corvette-inspired.”
- None Too Daring: At times, the 2018 Equinox comes off as far too clinical – an overarching theme of our criticisms. Though we’re coming from a place where we consider an automobile to be an expression of oneself, whereas most Equinox buyers simply view the vehicle as a necessity. An appliance. There’s nothing super-groundbreaking at the moment that’s going to make the industry worry.
- No Hybrid Version: For whatever reason, Chevrolet chose to implement a diesel engine over a hybrid engine for the 2018 Equinox. We wager that a hybridized model isn’t too far down the road, so we’ll eagerly wait and watch in the meantime.
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Well if that is all the worse that it presents it should do well.
This is a class where radical can be a major risk that seldom pays off and Conservative and functional pays the bills.
This is a segment you need to get the functional details right and not overthink the rest. Polarization can often lead to isolation. GM can not afford to risk the number of sales they have and worry about not garnering the increased sales they will get.
Hybrids will come but systems like the Voltec would generally not give as good of results as a smaller frontal sedan like the Malibu and Cruze. In time we will see one but more range needs to be found. The taller profile here could lose as much as 10 miles in electric range easily.
On the other hand the Diesel has no such issue and would only excel. That is as long as people are willing to pay extra for it.
As for styling I have to see it in person. I am not excited yet but as with many models anymore few photograph well. The Lacrosse was a disappointment till I saw it in person where it was stunning.
I find that perhaps the biggest weakness is overall cargo volume and passenger space compared to the Rav4 and especially the new 2017 CRV. This is the problem with having the Acadia smaller, it forces the Equinox/Terrain into too small a size. This is my opinion, but we will see what the market decides.
Lack of V6 is my biggest complaint. If you want a car to make it 300,000 miles, a turbocharger is your natural enemy. It might help make CAFE’s day… but it gives aged Dodge Journey another ace in the hole… namely, the Pentastar V6 delivering 25 mpg highway all day long.
Dodge Journey has been extended out to 2020, it’s a little sad to see a 1980’s DSM-era platform manage to put C1XX Chevys to shame in the powertrain department.
But then the journey has been in the problematic side as well
You may want to check out the new engines a little closer as many are reaching 300,000 miles with no issues to the turbo.
With better materials, oils and water cooling it is not like it was in the 80’s where many turbo engine only made 36,000 miles before they burned up with carbon it the oil line.
Like stated Dodge product have a bad enough time in many other areas from rust to failed suspension.
Note we are seeing many GM Eco Tubo vehicles now entering the 100,000-300,000 mile range with no ill effect. At least with the engine.
Scott – Tell that to the timing chain on my LNF. Failed after 75,000 miles. Caught it just before the engine tore apart. $1,500 picked up by my CNA extended warranty. Just went into the black on it.
I don’t find it even slightly ironic that GM chopped their powertrain warranty on Chevrolet from 100,000 miles to 60,000 miles at the same time these more-reliable V6 engines got de-emphasized.
Never had a single issue with a GM high feature V6 like that. Ever. Miss the 3800, but the Holden-derived HFV6’s are proving just as reliable.
This is why I defected from GM with my 200S V6. 300 horsepower, lifetime Mopar warranties, 30 mpg highway – zero worries.
Hardly to shame.
A V6 is not necessary in this segment . CRV, Escape, Rogue, CX5, etc. are all 4 cylinder only
That’s kinda the point. GM and Dodge/Jeep stood out by being the only V6 CUVs (I failed to mention the 200 CUV counterpart, the Jeep Cherokee also offers the Pentastar V6 on the newer D-Evo/CUSW platform).
And believe me, Jeep is selling those V6 Cherokees like hotcakes. And yes, Jeep views the Cherokee as a CUV.
Now FCA stands alone. You don’t “need” it – but it was a key differentiator, and a really good one too.
But it is also to say the Cherokee is a pig.
face it, this isn’t too much of a passion vehicle, its premier function is a runabout. it performes well there. hope chevy places in a new light SUV. the Colorado SUV global platform would be interesting, especially as a zr2 option
Hybrid drivetrain is even more complex and expensive than the diesel, and for not a lot more benefit (at least right now). If and when gas prices go back up, yes, people will be a lot more excited about hybrids.
And yes, the styling is very… competent? It is a crossover, I don’t think anyone has figured out how to style them well yet.
Definitely interested to see how the Mazda diesel on the CX-5 compare to the Equinox diesel
Probably much faster. The Equinox will pull down great fuel economy numbers, but it will be slow – like Prius slow. The diesel CX-5 should be about as fast as it’s gasoline version and probably not far behind the Equinox’s fuel economy.
But CX-5 are slow in general though
Could the Equinox be a precursor to what the planned XT3 crossover will be based on?
Cadillac will be making a crossover to slot below the XT5 and they have already shown that their crossovers do not have to be on unique platforms so putting on the same chassis as the Equinox is not out of the question.
“We wager that a hybridized model isn’t too far down the road” And I will wager that, too. GM must produce new hybrid or EREV versions of the Chevy Equinox, Buick Envision, and GMC Terrain soon. This is GM’s second best selling vehicle for several years (only the Chevy Silverado sells more), and it has to be upgraded into the hybrid arena, as the world is electrifying most vehicles due to the evolution from the oil and gas legacy. I have a 2009 Chevy Equinox,, and I love it! I will only trade it for a newer hybrid Equinox!
Good article and comments.
My only observation is that diesel seems to be moribund in this country and it probably will never take off. Remember, most oil will be depleted sometime in the 2040s, so a hybrid option would seem to be a step in the right direction as we move completely to electric and/or some other alternative (hydrogen?).
It probably also makes sense for them to make a hybrid version using the Malibu hybrid technology and make it AWD only as that’s how it is for the RAV4 hybrid
I am waiting for the 2018 Traverse to be released in January! Hopefully, rumor say it is boxy shape design instead of rounded like the Equinox! Otherwise I going buy the Tahoe!
Chevrolet’s new 2018 Equinox looks if it shares design elements of the Cruze and Malibu as it looks sporty and modern as well as being 400 lbs lighter without sacrificing interior efficiency. The addition of even a mild hybrid would add most of the 400 lbs back to the weight of the Equinox as well as costing approx $3,500 while improving overall mileage by 5-10 percent as the usage of the turbo-diesel with urea injection affords 40 mpg mileage without increasing overall weight or cost to the design.
Good point, Omega!
I’ve had a 2013 Equinox 6 for over 4 years, and love it (except for a hard down-shift now and then). I test drove 4s and 6s, before deciding on the 6. The 4, IMO, did far too much shifting. I feel the grill re-design of the 2016 screwed-up a nice looking front end, but that would not be a deal killer.
HOWEVER, the 2018 smaller size, “sculpture mania” styling, and no 6 available, will have me looking elsewhere next year, sad to say.
So Ford Edge it is?
Maybe a 2018 Traverse. Looks better than the current, plus has a 9-speed V6 (25 hwy). However, don’t need seating for 8, and extra cost is ?.
Well you can always put the third row seat down so then it’s only 4-5 passengers… or the next option is to get Murano or Edge