- suv 166,919
- 1,540 below average
- 3,490 great
- Morton, IL
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,540 below average suv 166,919 silver
2005 chevrolet equinox review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. introductionwith the 2005 chevrolet equinox, general motors finally has a compact suv to challenge the ford escape, honda cr-v and toyota rav4. It's bigger inside and out than most of the suvs in this class, and that's deliberate. Like the honda, toyota and ford products, the equinox is car-based, using the new gm theta front-wheel-drive architecture and adapting it for all-wheel-drive versions. This same architecture is under the saturn vue suv as well. the equinox's dimensions blur the line between compact and midsize suvs. It is 13. 9 inches longer than the arch-competitor and market leader ford escape, and only three inches shorter than a trailblazer, and that extra room will make all the difference on some families' buying decisions. It rides on a wheelbase that is 9. 4 inches longer than the escape's, yielding a generally smoother ride. When the rear bench and front passenger seat are folded flat, there's room inside this truck for eight-foot-long loads. The rear seatback is split 60/40 for added cargo/people hauling flexibility. lineuponly two equinox models are available, including the basic ls 20,995 fwd, $22,970 awd) and the more luxurious and better-appointed lt 22,710 fwd, $24,335 awd) versions. The 1se package 3475) for the lt adds to that onstar, leather seats, power sunroof, premium sound system with seven speakers, the six-cd changer, heated front seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, and redundant radio controls on the wheel. Aside from the packages, the equipment is offered as 18 different freestanding options including two colors of metallic paint, with most options available on either the ls or the lt. But its side-view shape is quite a bit different from the rest of the family, and for that, we like it. the pillars and the sheetmetal between the tops of the glass panels and the roof seem to us to be extra-thick, imparting a feeling of extra solidity and strength, perhaps important for a truck made on a car platform. The bigger size is evident everywhere. Up front, equinox carries flexible net storage pockets on both sides of the console. The center armrest has dual cupholders, a small storage cubby and a coin holder for toll money. Under the armrest is more storage, an open floor console with cupholder, cd holder and purse or briefcase storage. the rear seat sits on a track that allows it to slide back and forth by up to eight inches, to bring kids, brief cases, purses or cargoes closer or to provide extra room for tall passengers in the second seat. Gm calls this innovative feature the multi-flex rear seat. There is a 12-volt power outlet and dual slide-out cupholders for rear passengers. gm's designers have used the space above the wheel wells to create a unique cargo storage system like the adjustable shelf in its larger suvs. A lightweight reversible panel slides into slots on the equinox's wheel wells at three different heights. Carpeted on one side and plastic on the other, the panel can serve as shelf, cargo cover or even a picnic or tailgating table. The tops of the wheel wells contain storage bins for small items. It starts, it runs, and it's relatively smooth. The new five-speed automatic transmission shifts up and down just fine. As we said, this is a 25-year-old engine design that is without benefit of balance shafts, variable-valve timing or variable intake, but it's perfectly adequate for family suv use. Chevrolet rates it to haul families plus trailer loads of up to 3500 pounds, and it has the guts to do it. we found the long-wheelbase chassis of this 3600-pound car/truck provided a plush ride, good cornering performance, relatively crisp handling, and long-trip comfort. The brakes are well matched to the size and weight of the equinox fwd that we tested, with good, progressive pedal travel and linear braking force application. equinox and the saturn vue have an electric power steering system. An electronic control unit programmed for a variety of performance characteristics controls an electric motor mounted adjacent to the steering column to provide the right amount of assist for a given driving situation. The steering ratio is variable, so the equinox has good, steady road feel in highway driving and low effort at low speeds for easier parking. We don't think the average american driver can tell it apart from hydraulic power steering, and that's a good thing, especially when combined with the fact that engine power isn't used to drive the system and can be used to move the vehicle, saving gasoline. summarywith its unique look and larger size than the american and asian competition, the equinox is in a position to please the more demanding customers looking for more power and more space than the norm in this segment. The equinox has a very flexible interior design with lots of space for family goods, and lots of space for american-sized people in both rows of seats. equinox is a chevrolet, with chevrolet-level quality and materials at a chevrolet price. It has a distinctly japanese feel to it, inside and out, but it's american, built in canada, and a heck of a deal for the money, we think. Cruise Control✔ Bucket Seats✔ CD Changer✔ Air Conditioning✔ Leather Seats✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Alloy Wheels
3,490 Morton, ILMorton, IL at autoshopper.com