Equinox

Make
Chevrolet
Segment
SUV

Appropriately launched on the autumnal equinox, the all-new Chevrolet Equinox is here. Chevrolet say it's "a fresh and modern SUV sized and designed to meet the needs of the compact SUV customer." This new Equinox comes after refreshing the Chevrolet lineup to include the new Volt, Cruze and Malibu and the fresh new design puts the styling in line with the rest of Chevrolet's products. The Malibu-inspired styling is something we can definitely get used to.

There's projector-beam headlamps, LED daytime running lights and rear horizontal taillamps that are also available as LED on the higher specced models. The car has a wider and therefore more aggressive look to it, which is not a bad thing in this segment. The new cabin features the shared GM Mylink infotainment platform, a nice and intuitive system. There are also new elements in play such as a high-durability denim-style seat fabric and a new "kneeling" rear seat function that enhances functionality. This allows the bottom cushions to tilt forward when the split-folding seatbacks are lowered, allowing a flat floor for easier loading.

The all-new Equinox offers three turbocharged engines that includes the compact SUV segment's first turbo-diesel in North America. There's a 1.5-liter turbo motor, a 2.0-liter turbo and the 1.6-liter turbo-diesel. These can be had with GM's new nine-speed automatic transmission. Certain models will feature a switchable AWD system to enhance efficiency by disconnecting power from the rear axle when not needed. "It is an all-new SUV from the ground up and one that takes on the industry's biggest competitors with a stronger architecture, greater efficiency and more technology," said Rick Spina, executive chief engineer."And it looks great doing it." Pricing has yet to be announced with deliveries to commence in the first quarter of 2017.