Somehow GM missed a beat when it came time to upgrade its once class-leading Equinox and GMC Terrain cousin, and therefore it’s now a step or two behind in some respects. Now, volume brands are vying for premium buyers with luxuriously equipped and richly finished compact SUVs, whereas premium brands are trying to attract lower end buyers with ever smaller, more approachable models.Īlso notable, compact crossover SUV sales are encroaching on our once seemingly impenetrable mid-size car segment and the 13 models on offer are extremely competitive, some, as mentioned, more luxuriously appointed than many premium branded alternatives. I was on the initial press launch and was very impressed, even lauding on accolades like, “The new Equinox comes pretty close to replicating premium levels of interior quality, with attractive aluminum-like accents, soft-touch materials on the armrests, door inserts and really nicely finished harder touch plastics everywhere else.” OK, maybe I was somewhat overenthusiastic in referencing premium quality, but we need to remember that this was almost seven years ago and both the mainstream and premium markets have changed dramatically since then. To Chevy’s credit the Equinox came with a stylish interior featuring advanced electronics when it debuted in the summer of 2009 as a 2010 model. It will need to be standing still to appreciate its new range of wheels, the machine-finished twinned five-spoke 18-inch alloys on my top-line tester managing to look both sporty and elegant simultaneously. A new set of restyled DRLs enhance the Equinox’ modified lower front corners, upgraded to LEDs in top trims, while my LTZ’s halogen fog lamps are new too, but anyone catching the SUV’s profile passing by won’t likely see any changes unless they catch sight of the revised taillights that get stylish new lenses. That familiar bisected grille gets a couple of untraveled twists and turns, as do the headlights that come standard with halogen projector innards.
The reworked grille and front fascia combination falls into the category of not necessarily better, just new, but that should suffice for many of the model’s faithful who are looking for a good excuse to upgrade. Just the same there are plenty of reasons to buck up for this refreshed 2016.įirst off, it still looks quite nice. Still, I’m sure those inside the hallowed halls of GM’s downtown Detroit HQ, the many more working across the nation in the General’s umpteen independent dealerships and you, a potential Equinox buyer, are looking forward to the aforementioned redesign. Despite its age sales grew by 14.6 percent last year, following a general upward trend in the compact SUV segment. I liked the styling of the first-gen version too, all 12 years of Equinox sales adding up to 1,929,897 as of February. The design team didn’t stray too far from the second-generation model that’s sold very well for the bowtie brand. No, don’t get too excited, you’ll still have to wait about a year or so for a completely redesigned version, but Chevy has given the current model a nice mid-cycle makeover. !() Subtle refresh helps this older SUV keep up to fast-paced compact segment()
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