![]() GM introduced the 9T50 auto with the 2017 Malibu, and the smooth-shifting gearbox does a wonderful job in most situations. One area where the 2.0-liter Equinox outshines its 1.5-liter sibling is the standard nine-speed automatic transmission. In theory, it should work, but if an ill-informed owner activates all-wheel drive, they’re possibly sending some percentage of the power to the rear wheels, hurting the EPA-rated 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway fuel economy. ![]() The assumption here is that most owners will leave the Equinox in front-wheel drive until inclement weather presents itself, and they’ll get better mileage because of it. Most of the time all-wheel drive isn’t necessary, and fuel economy is enhanced when the rear wheels aren’t being powered. The 2018 Equinox with the 2.0-liter turbo ends up being more expensive than most of the competition, but it’s also faster.Ĭhevy's rationale is simple. Once activated, it remains in all-wheel drive until it’s deselected, even after you shut the car off. The extra power scoots the Equinox around at a respectable pace for a grocery-getter, reaching 60 in a Chevy-estimated 7.2 seconds.įront-wheel-drive models are straightforward enough, but all-wheel drive is integrated a bit differently here: Instead of automatically transferring power to the rear when the system senses it needs it, the Equinox remains in front-wheel-drive mode until a button by the gearshift is pressed, activating all-wheel drive. The power bump is substantial: Now making 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, the 2.0-liter Equinox produces 82 hp and 57 lb-ft more than the 1.5-liter. In fact, drive one back-to-back with the previous generation Equinox, and you’ll wonder how Chevy managed to sell almost 250,000 of the old buggers last year.Ĭhevy's finally dropped the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder into the new Equinox after the popular crossover initially debuted with a 1.5-liter turbo. What’s more, our test vehicle had a panoramic roof.Drive the 2018 Equinox like most of its owners will - as a suburban commuter - and you’ll be as pleased as can be. Two more USB jacks were in the center console. There was an auxiliary jack and 12V plug as well. Two USB plugs underneath the control pod provided more connections. We had collision alert, lane departure warning which we turned off, stop/go to save fuel and pushbutton lock and unlock. We didn’t have to lower them to load four bags for a trip to the airport. They folded and formed a flat cargo floor. There was plenty of room in the back seats. Oh, it was its own rolling Wi-Fi hotspot too. It had OnStar as well as Apple Play and Android Auto. The steering wheel was heated and the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox was connected. These days you expect a navigation system, satellite radio, voice controls and Bluetooth.īut there were heated and cooled front seats as well as heated rear seats. We had the Premier trim line and it struck us that just a few years ago much of the equipment that came with this package was exclusive to luxury vehicles. The odometer and speedometer were separated by a TFT screen and the fuel and temperature gauges were above them. And there was also stitching Chevrolet is getting better at creating premium interiors. It looked folded and there were layers and each section had a different texture. Soft touch material was used on the dash and the doors. The Equinox was nimble, light on its treads and really easy to drive. That’s a lot of weight even for something as hefty as an automobile. It had been redesigned for 2018 model year and had shed some 400 lbs. It was thick but not so thick as to be too big. We don’t know the size of the steering wheel but it felt good in our hands. Either or, we found the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox very maneuverable. The size of the rubber depends on what trim level you got. The 2018 Equinox had a turning radius of 37.4 inches with 17-inch wheels but we had 19-inch aluminum wheels. It was equipped with electric power assisted rack and pinion steering which was quick and responsive to driver input. The MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension smoothed out the road. Our House First Time Home Buyer’s Series.2018 Chevrolet Equinox Small but Strong - The Washington Informer Close
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