Equinox

[TooOne21]

If you own one of these...
What are the pros and cons that you have found?

I know this is a forum of rice burners but I would hope there are a few that could give me an insight on this car from an owners stand point.

I currently own an '02 Civic EX. I want to get higher up and AWD for the winter.

 

[TheAudit]

I like the looks of the Equinox.

Car and Driver thought it was pretty good.

 

[PricklyPete]

I've only seen and sat in one at a dealership while looking at some trucks and being intrigued for a possible car for my mom. The interior is light years beyond the normal GM standard and is very versatile while still having decent power and a pretty decent looking design. You would be really hard pressed to find a better car for the money in that type of vehicle/price range.

I feel like a read a Car and Driver or Automobile magazine where they tested small sport-utes and the Equinox one. They were thoroughly impressed all around...especially since it came from Chevy.

 

[mpitts]

I just bought one on Saturday and it is awesome.

Pros:

Very clean layout inside. I absolutely love the layout of the dash and instruments. It looks nothing like a GM dash
Tons of room in the back seat
Sliding rear seat
Looks very nice

Cons:

185HP V6 - It is good, but not great. My wife's 250HP Vue is more powerful. I still think it is adequate, but some here might disagree
Blind spot - It has a pretty wicked blind spot on the passenger's side. As long as you look twice, you are good to go.

I got it in silver. It has the sunroof and leather seats. A great car and no one knows it is a Chevy. I am definitely happy with my decision.

 

[mpitts]

Originally posted by: TheAudit
I like the looks of the Equinox.

Car and Driver thought it was pretty good.

That is pretty much what my car looks like.

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: mpitts

Originally posted by: TheAudit
I like the looks of the Equinox.

Car and Driver thought it was pretty good.

That is pretty much what my car looks like.

That's pretty nice! I don't normally like SUVs but this is one I would definitely drive.
Have fun with your new ride!

 

[DougK62]

My dad bought one recently that I've driven several times. The interior is awesome - the leather is a MUCH higher quality then what you'd be used to from GM. The 5spd automatic is one of the nicest automatics I've ever driven.

My dad got a white one with graphite leather. LT AWD. There is nothing better in its class.

 

[TooOne21]

Thanks for the help everyone.:beer:

 

[MikeMike]

the only issue i have heard is steering feedback due to the fact that it is electronic and not power sterring or something like that.

MIKE

 

[Vortex22]

Cons:

185HP V6 - It is good, but not great. My wife's 250HP Vue is more powerful. I still think it is adequate, but some here might disagree

WTF? That's abysmally low. Why would GM put such a weak engine in one of their SUVs and such a strong one in another? What kind of MPG does it get?

Edit: Oh the engine in the VUE isn't made by GM, is it?

 

[MikeMike]

its not an "suv" per say but more of a crossover minivan ute

MIKE

 

[TooOne21]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
the only issue i have heard is steering feedback due to the fact that it is electronic and not power sterring or something like that.

MIKE

I took it for a test drive:

The Electronic assisted steering is amazing. I makes it so easy to manuver the larger vehicle through the crowed lot of a dealership. I could steer it with my finger it was so simple to turn.

The salesman said that when you get to highway speeds that feature shuts off and the power steering takes in effect so that you do not go flying off the road by just a little jerk of the wheel.

This feature I liked very much.

 

[TooOne21]

Originally posted by: Vortex22

Cons:

185HP V6 - It is good, but not great. My wife's 250HP Vue is more powerful. I still think it is adequate, but some here might disagree

WTF? That's abysmally low. Why would GM put such a weak engine in one of their SUVs and such a strong one in another? What kind of MPG does it get?

Edit: Oh the engine in the VUE isn't made by GM, is it?

19 - 24

 

[TheAudit]

Originally posted by: Vortex22

Cons:

185HP V6 - It is good, but not great. My wife's 250HP Vue is more powerful. I still think it is adequate, but some here might disagree

WTF? That's abysmally low. Why would GM put such a weak engine in one of their SUVs and such a strong one in another? What kind of MPG does it get?

Edit: Oh the engine in the VUE isn't made by GM, is it?

Acura.

 

[mpitts]

Originally posted by: Vortex22

Cons:

185HP V6 - It is good, but not great. My wife's 250HP Vue is more powerful. I still think it is adequate, but some here might disagree

WTF? That's abysmally low. Why would GM put such a weak engine in one of their SUVs and such a strong one in another? What kind of MPG does it get?

Edit: Oh the engine in the VUE isn't made by GM, is it?

I really wish they would have put the Honda V6 that they put in the Vue in the Equinox.

It isn't horrible. It isn't overwhelming. It is right in the middle.

 

[Mr N8]

I've never driven one, but I think they are ugly as sin. Chevy has once again over-branded the front end.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: mpitts

Originally posted by: Vortex22

Cons:

185HP V6 - It is good, but not great. My wife's 250HP Vue is more powerful. I still think it is adequate, but some here might disagree

WTF? That's abysmally low. Why would GM put such a weak engine in one of their SUVs and such a strong one in another? What kind of MPG does it get?

Edit: Oh the engine in the VUE isn't made by GM, is it?

I really wish they would have put the Honda V6 that they put in the Vue in the Equinox.

It isn't horrible. It isn't overwhelming. It is right in the middle.

Yeah the 3.4 V6 in it really isn't too bad. It gets good gas mileage for a vehicle of that size and is a torquey little sucker.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Vortex22

Cons:

185HP V6 - It is good, but not great. My wife's 250HP Vue is more powerful. I still think it is adequate, but some here might disagree

WTF? That's abysmally low. Why would GM put such a weak engine in one of their SUVs and such a strong one in another? What kind of MPG does it get?

Edit: Oh the engine in the VUE isn't made by GM, is it?

There are a lot of reasons.

1) Cost. The 250HP engine in the Vue is a Honda Engine that GM purchases. The engine in the Equinox is a tried and true GM engine that they assemble in China on the cheap.
2) Adequete performance. The car goes from 0-60 in 8.3 seconds. While slow by car standards, that is fast by SUV/econobox standards. The car has plenty of low end torque and power for what it needs. It is not supposed to be a hotrod. The Vue with the 250HP engine is their "Red Line" model which is their performance line they are pitching to the "ricer generation". The Equinox is a family vehicle.

 

[Uppsala9496]

I was looking at the Equinox and the Aztek. Ended up going with the 2004 Aztek due to the rebates they were offering (bought it last Thursday). I had a GM discount that let me get any GM vehicle just below invoice pricing, and then add on top of that any rebates/cash back. The Equinox was nice, but only had $1,000 off, while the Aztek had a total of $5,000. Considering both models fully loaded were about $29,000, it was an easy choice.
Yes, the Aztek back end is ugly, but you don't see it when driving. And it has more room, and better interior options (in my opinion). All in all, both are a good choice, but price ruled.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
I was looking at the Equinox and the Aztek. Ended up going with the 2004 Aztek due to the rebates they were offering (bought it last Thursday). I had a GM discount that let me get any GM vehicle just below invoice pricing, and then add on top of that any rebates/cash back. The Equinox was nice, but only had $1,000 off, while the Aztek had a total of $5,000. Considering both models fully loaded were about $29,000, it was an easy choice.
Yes, the Aztek back end is ugly, but you don't see it when driving. And it has more room, and better interior options (in my opinion). All in all, both are a good choice, but price ruled.

Good choice! I'm looking at buying a used Asstek next spring. They're really nice vehicles that you can pick up cheap used - no one wants them since they're so ug-o.

 

[MikeMike]

im amazed at the good reception a domestic suvish vehicle has received on here.

MIKE

 

[NutBucket]

I can't believe two ppl have admitted to owning/wanting to own an Aztek!!:Q:Q

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I can't believe two ppl have admitted to owning/wanting to own an Aztek!!:Q:Q

Yeah, it's like someone wanting/bragging about having VD

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: NutBucket
I can't believe two ppl have admitted to owning/wanting to own an Aztek!!:Q:Q

Yeah, it's like someone wanting/bragging about having VD

does nsf4 have an opinion on the equinox?

MIKE

 

[Uppsala9496]

It's a nice vehicle. The ultimate tailgating vehicle with the radio controls available in the back. The internal cooler is also nice. HUD, dual climate control...
I picked this one over all the other GM offers out there (looked at the TrailBlazer, Rainer, Equinox, Envoy, and Vue). Aztek was the best in terms of options and price.