2010 Chevrolet Equinox

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability
• Photos & Videos

Performance - What the Auto Press Says

Test drivers find the 2010 Equinox, armed with new engines, accelerates better than its predecessor and boasts excellent fuel economy. However, the Equinox's ho-hum driving experience just can't match those of the best SUVs in its class.

• "With either engine, the Equinox driving experience is more appliance-like than invigorating. However, the four-cylinder Equinox uses a new rack-mounted electric power-steering system that offers good feel and solid feedback. Mix that in with the standard traction control, and the result is a stable, solid ride that inspires driver confidence." -- Popular Mechanics
• "The drive is what's important to us and here the Theta-platformed Equinox delivers like its Japanese competitors don't. Despite the Michelin low rolling resistance tires, road feel is actually not too bad, body control is excellent for the segment, pushing the vehicle further into the territory of car-like feel than its predecessor." -- Jalopnik
• "Don't expect much from the chassis, which itself starts with a stiffening of the last-generation's Theta architecture. The electric power steering drains feel in order to save fuel, and the brakes are merely ho-hum. The CR-V and particularly the RAV4 offered much more steering feel, although both were far noisier than the whisper-quiet Equinox." -- Car and Driver
• "Quiet, comfort and luxury are the impressions you get from behind the wheel of the new Chevrolet Equinox." -- Kelley Blue Book

Acceleration and Power

The Equinox's new engines include a direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 182 horsepower and an optional 3.0-liter V6 that makes 264 horsepower. Fuel economy is a high point. According to the EPA, the FWD Equinox achieves 22/32 mpg city/highway, while the AWD model achieves 20/29 mpg - highway figures that trump even the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid, which formerly boasted the best fuel economy of any SUV.

• "The four-cylinder Equinox is no speed demon (neither is the V6 for that matter), but it has enough acceleration that you'll never worry about merging onto freeways or making a pass with a reasonable amount of room. Both six-speed automatic transmissions have been re-calibrated and have much improved shift quality compared to previous versions, especially the larger unit used with the V6." -- Autoblog
• "Powertrain refinement is excellent. The transmission shifts smoothly and the Active Noise Cancellation keeps engine noise intrusion to a minimum." -- Automobile Magazine
• "The 3.0-liter doesn't pack the torque punch of the old motor (222 pound-feet of torque at 5,100 rpm compared to 250 lb-ft of torque at 2,300 rpm) and you can feel that this is a small V6 in passing maneuvers." -- Edmunds
• "Now, while the Equinox is certainly on the porky side no matter what's under the hood, we found ourselves attracted to the four-cylinder models. With a claimed 0-60 time of a leisurely 8.7 seconds according to GM, it isn't all that much slower than the V-6, which GM puts at an unimpressive 7.8 seconds." -- Car and Driver
• "Boot the four-cylinder Equinox's electronic accelerator and you'll notice that this is an engine that has to work hard to move the Equinox -- the lightest version of which comes in at 3770 pounds. Fortunately, the six-speed automatic shifts with precision and extracts every bit of thrust available." -- Popular Mechanics

Handling and Braking

While reviewers were unimpressed with the previous Equinox's steering and suspension, most find the new model rides more smoothly. However, test drivers are still disappointed at the overall driving experience, which they find adequate but boring.

• "The Equinox rides on a strut-type suspension up front and a multi-link arrangement in the rear. The ride is comfortable, quelling bumps as well as the Honda and Toyota with the exception of some small, high-frequency oscillations that will mostly go unnoticed." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Power steering with the V-6 is a hydraulic system, while the I-4s get a new rack-mounted electric power-steering system. Steering feel is noteworthy for a direct-acting electric rack, better than some electronically controlled hydraulic systems." -- Motor Trend
• "The full-boat Equinox V6 LTZ we've driven feels a little stiff in the knees. This example is shod with 18-inch tires; and while the ride doesn't feel harsh, it nevertheless feels a bit unyielding on the lumpy Michigan roads." -- Edmunds