The Equinox, you see, is not a Mazda CX-5. By dynamic competence we aren’t referring to track-worthiness, but to real-world, on-road expertise: the ability to ignore a road’s imperfections, the skills with which it makes a commute tolerable, its lack of sporting ambition. For consumers who are downsizing from, say, a Chevrolet Traverse, the Equinox naturally results in a decrease in size but not dynamic competence, à la the downsizing from an Impala to the Cruze. Like the Cruze, the Equinox applies the aura of a bigger machine in its smaller package. Though a bit disappointing given the number of kilometres we drove on the highway, it’s not that surprising when the extreme cold and heavy load is taken into account. This all-wheel-drive four-cylinder Equinox’s odometer displayed fewer than 9000 kilometres and consumed fuel at a rate of 11 litres per 100 kilometres, equal to 21 mpg, just enough to beat its EPA city rating. Yes, I sometimes found myself wishing for the terrific V6 option, but not often, and I didn’t miss its accompanying fuel bill. In Eco mode, you’ll either accept the electronic constraints or push through the drivetrain’s resistance, thereby defeating the purpose of the Eco mode.
2014 CHEVROLET EQUINOX DRIVER
Undoubtedly, this 2.4L, four-cylinder Equinox isn’t spectacularly motivated, but the 6-speed automatic transmission makes the most of the engine’s output to provide the driver with the sensation of sufficient power. The cabin isn’t infiltrated by the wind and road noise you’ll encounter in many small crossovers. Our findings? Reminiscent of the Chevrolet Cruze which GoodCarBadCar has twice reviewed – in gas and in diesel form – the Equinox has a strong air of maturity about it.
To understand why, we loaded up this 2014 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD with our three-member family and our newly rescued dog and headed for Prince Edward Island in the dead of night and in the dead of winter. Even as it ages, even as fresh competition arrives, more North American consumers purchase or lease a Chevrolet Equinox every year.
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