Long Term Main Page

2005 Chevrolet Equinox

Date: August 2005	Miles: 19,700
The trend in SUVs is towards car-based models with lighter, unitized frames, like the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox LT. As proof, recent Equinox sales are topping 17,000 a month, and one reason for that popularity is fuel economy. With an extremely smooth 185-horsepower 3.4-liter V-6 powertrain, and automatic all-wheel drive, our Equinox returns a solid 19.9 miles per gallon. While we've had no mechanical problems in 19,700 miles, the design does have some flaws. The front seats are hard, and we miss expected items like grab handles above the doors. On the other hand, a sliding rear seat makes this compact SUV a big hauler. So, while not a "real truck" the Equinox and its unit-body trend can clearly meet and even exceed the expectations of most urban SUV buyers.
Date: July 2005	Miles: 16,000
While much has been written about the sagging sales of GM's full-size SUVs, little has been said about their latest compact utility success story, the 2005 Chevrolet Equinox. Right now buyers are scooping up the Equinox to the tune of about 12,000 a month. No wonder. This biggest of the small SUV's car-based chassis provides lower step in and load heights. A smooth, also car-like driving experience, and the kicker, much better fuel economy than truck-based SUVs. Since October, we've driven our V6 all-wheel drive Equinox about 16,000 mostly urban miles, with total average fuel economy of 19.9 miles per gallon. The most recent period topped 22 miles per gallon. The hard seats in our Equinox are also giving a bit and with that are far more to our liking. The intelligent dash and cabin layout is hampered only by a lack of details like grab handles. And, thanks to the long rear doors and sliding rear seat, this is one small SUV that carries everyone in comfort. The Equinox shows that a pure truck stalwart like GM's Chevrolet can indeed adapt well with the times. Now, they just need more user-friendlier utilities like the Equinox, and fast!
Date: May 2005	Miles: 14,000
Our long term 2005 Chevrolet Equinox is proving to us why new, car-based, unibody SUVs are rapidly replacing traditional body-on-frame truck designs. Step in height and load height are lower. It drives smoothly, more like a car than a truck, and it is lighter and thus has better fuel economy. On that note, since October we've driven this V6 Equinox about 14,000 mostly urban miles, with fuel economy of 19.6 miles per gallon. That's about 25% better than a traditional mid-size SUV. And we give up nothing in versatility. Our Equinox has excellent all-wheel drive, good for all weather and all roads. The long rear doors, sliding rear seat, and folding front passenger seat, make the Equinox unusually flexible. Some of our staff find the interior a bit cold and hard, but it is well laid out. And our only problem in 6 months has been a balky CD-player. The Equinox speaks well of Chevy's first attempt at building a family sized SUV without the truck bulk.
Date: March 2005	Miles: 13,000
Let's quickly check in on our 2005 Chevrolet Equinox LT with all-wheel drive. Since this largest of the compact SUVs arrived in October, we've driven it almost 13,000 miles. Fuel economy is doing well, at 19.7 miles per gallon, although it did slip a bit from our last report. The long rear doors, sliding rear seat, and folding front passenger seat, make the Equinox unusually flexible. The cargo shelf, on the other hand, just gets in the way. While we find the interior somewhat plain and lacking in features, our only problem so far is a balky CD player. But overall the Equinox delivers. It's a good value in a high volume, high capacity utility.
Date: February 2005	Miles: 10,000
Since we took delivery of our 2005 Chevrolet Equinox sport-utility in October, we've noticed more and more of them on the roads. This unit-body, biggest of the ''compact'' SUVs is going over well with consumers, and is actually outselling the more traditional Tahoe. Buyers, and our staff, like the long rear doors, the sliding rear seat, and folding front passenger seat, all giving the Equinox high versatility. We also like the smooth powertrain. Equinox comes standard with a 185-horsepower V-6. Most rivals start with 4-cylinders. We are having an intermittent problem with the CD player, and while the seat bottoms leave most of us in good shape after long trips, some staffers find the seat backs too flat. And boy do we miss the coat hooks over the rear doors. Fuel economy for a V-6 SUV is another high point -- 20 miles per gallon at nearly 10,000 miles. Obviously buyers agree with us that the Equinox is a fine addition to the Chevrolet utility-line, and one with a bright future.
Date: December 2004	Miles: 4,200
After only 6-weeks, we're still getting to know this 2005 Chevrolet Equinox compact sport-utility. We use the term compact carefully since this is the largest of the small SUVs, and it's only 3 inches shorter than the mid-size TrailBlazer. Still, the Equinox is unique among smaller-utes in several ways. The rear doors are extra-long, and the sliding rear seat provides great leg room, making it a hit for long trips. For long cargo the front passenger seat folds flat. Equinox also has a standard 185-horsepower V-6. Most rivals start with 4-cylinders. But then Equinox is not your typical Chevy either. The ride is almost European firm. The seats are firm too, yet very comfortable. But surprisingly there are no grab handles around the doors, and no coat hooks above the rear doors. Seems penny wise and pound foolish to us. Still, for a V-6 SUV it's pretty stingy on gas at 19.9 miles per gallon after 4200 miles. Some 4-cylinder rivals will do no better. So, our all-wheel drive Chevrolet Equinox is off to a good start with us.