It’s no secret that people really love crossovers, including the Chevy Equinox. As a result, that section of the automotive industry has become fiercely competitive, which is good news for car shoppers. To help keep the Equinox competitive, the powers that be at Chevrolet decided to give it a good refresh, keeping it updated and relevant in the quickly evolving field. The result is an even better crossover to take you and up to four passengers wherever you need in comfort and style.
Chevy used the 2015 Chicago Auto Show to unveil the changes in dramatic fashion, most of which alter only the look of the vehicle. One of the most notable differences is the revised front fascia. The dual-port grille looks more like the one on the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze. Buyers can also option for stylish LED daytime running lights, which are a wonderful safety measure.
The refresh continues at the back end of the Equinox. Dual-element taillights have been added, creating a more utilitarian and yet modern feel. A sleek rear bumper cover is also included in the revision, plus models packing the V-6 engine come with some nice chrome exhaust tips.
When people climb inside the 2016 Equinox, they’ll be greeted by a huge seven-inch touchscreen that will make using the Chevy MyLink infotainment system a truly luxurious experience. As if that alone weren’t enough, Chevrolet revised the entire center stack, adding a nice storage shelf where owners can stash useful items and grab them quickly as needed, such as a smartphone or parking pass.
With all the changes, under the skin the Equinox’s mechanicals have stayed the same. The base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that is capable and efficient, putting out 182 horsepower and 172 lb.-ft. of torque. Those who need even more utility can go for the more potent 3.6-liter V-6 engine, which produces 301 horsepower and 272 lb.-ft. of torque. The only transmission for the crossover is a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic. Buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
Chevrolet has really been pushing the envelope lately when it comes to technology, and the new Equinox certainly isn’t going to be an exception. People riding in the vehicle will have access to high-speed internet, thanks to the OnStar 4G LTE with built-in WiFi hotspot. That means passengers can check their email, stream music tracks using services like Spotify, and even watch movies through Netflix or Amazon. Among the safety innovations are driver assistance systems such as lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2016 Equinox haven’t been officially announced yet. Given the fact that the mechanical components have stayed the same as what’s found on the 2015 model, the current estimates will likely be unchanged. That would mean that with the four-cylinder engine the vehicle would achieve 26 mpg combined, 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, with front-wheel drive. Adding all-wheel drive changes the estimates for the 2015 model to 23 mpg combined, 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The current V-6 model gets 20 mpg combined, 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, with front-wheel drive. Going with all-wheel drive drives all three numbers down by 1 mpg each.
You might be wondering why Chevrolet is putting so much effort into the Equinox. It turns out that it’s one of the brand’s most popular models, thanks to its optimal size and utilitarian qualities. With the updates it will likely continue to be a real crowd-pleaser, making it a vehicle you need to take for a test drive to fully appreciate.
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