How the Chevy Equinox Stacks Up Against Its Predecessor and Other SUVs | CommunityCars.com Blog
When you are in the market for a new car, truck, or SUV, you want to make sure you buy the best of the best. You put in hours of research to find the perfect vehicle, make an appointment to see it in person, and meet with a sales agent at your local dealership. You have a ton of options in front of you, including various feature packages, model trims, and colors.
One of the biggest factors to consider is the model year for the vehicle you want to buy. What makes the newest model different from years past? When it comes to the Chevy Equinox, interior, exterior, and under-the-hood updates make the 2018 version the must-own car this year. You’ll be able to experience it for yourself when you visit your nearest Spencer, Indiana Chevrolet dealer.
From Strong to Stronger
When Chevy rolled out the 2017 Equinox, not much had changed from the year before, according to Edmunds.com. This was for good reason. The Equinox continued to be a power player in the crossover SUV market, drawing interest from buyers all over the country. The vehicle came with a powerful V6 engine as an upgrade, something that drivers are hard pressed to find in this category.
In addition, the 2017 Equinox’s main additions came in the form of two new optional packages for its LT trim: Midnight and Sport. The Midnight package gave drivers the chance to add black wheels and paint, as well as accent trim and interior leather. The Sport package featured the same upgrades but with white exterior paint instead of black.
The 2017 Equinox was minimally different from the 2016 model and saw competition from similar-sized vehicles on the market. As a result, Chevy went back to the drawing board to make one of the strongest crossovers in America even stronger for 2017. Physical changes to the vehicle led to a new look on the outside and welcome results on the inside.
Redesigned Yet Comfortably Familiar
The newly redesigned 2018 Chevy Equinox is smaller than the previous model, but that doesn’t mean that quality suffers. In fact, the design changes to the Equinox result in the vehicle being sleeker and more powerful than before. Although the body of the SUV itself is smaller than before, you barely notice any change in interior space that drivers rave about.
The Equinox is lighter this year than before, and it still delivers 63.5 cubic feet of cargo volume, allowing you to fold down the rear 60/40 split seats to be able to haul everything you need. The vehicle has been completely re-sculpted from front to back, gaining striking exterior features that are sure to draw attention on the road.
It’s no surprise that the biggest change drivers will notice from the redesign is at the gas pump. Weight reduction and a smaller size lead to greater efficiency on the road, and more-efficient engines use less gasoline.
Returning for 2018 is one of the best infotainment touchscreen systems available in any vehicle, let alone a crossover. Taken all together, previous Equinox drivers will feel right at home in the 2018 model while new buyers will take home one of the most trusted and talked-about vehicles available.
What’s Under the Hood?
As mentioned before, the exterior changes and upgrades are just the beginning when it comes to the 2018 Chevy Equinox. The next time you stop by your Spencer, Indiana Chevrolet dealer, be sure to ask to see what’s under the hood that makes Equinox so attractive. By being smaller and lighter than before, the Equinox delivers better fuel economy than previous models, and it is important to note that the different build options this year will net you different performance levels.
The LS model with front wheel drive, for example, achieves a 26mpg City and 32mpg Highway fuel economy, while the LS model with all-wheel drive turns in ratings of 24mpg and 30mpg, respectively. Both of these options come standard with Chevy’s 1.5-ltr. turbo engine.
The 2018 Equinox runs on turbocharged four-cylinder engines and uses start-stop technology in the engine as well. The most economical of the engine choices, should you choose a trim level that has the option, is the 1.6-ltr. diesel. This setup pushes out 40mpg on the highway, which is hard to find in a crossover.
The three engine options are the 1.5-ltr. turbo, the 1.6-ltr. diesel and a turbocharged 2.0-ltr. option. The 1.5-ltr. engine is available now, while the other two will debut later in the model year. Even without the diesel, each of the engine options for the Equinox represents a fuel economy upgrade over the 2017 model.
Trim Levels for the 2018 Equinox
The 2018 Chevy Equinox is available in four different trims, each with its own level of features and available options. With all of these choices in front of you, you will be sure to find the one that meets all of the requirements on your checklist.
• The base model L comes well-equipped and includes LED daytime running lights, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels. This option also has keyless entry and ignition, Chevy’s Teen Driver safety technology, 4G LTE connectivity and a Wi-Fi hotspot. However, the 2018 Equinox L is only available with front-wheel drive and must be custom ordered, meaning it will take some time until yours is ready.
• The next step up is the LS model, which is what you are most likely to find as a starting option at your Spencer, Indiana Chevrolet dealer. The LS rewards you with an included spare tire and tire jack, in addition to a digital compass and floor mats. At the same time, choosing the LS allows you to have a wider range of colors to choose from and all wheel drive.
• The LT trim gives added luxury over the previous two, with a power driver seat and satellite radio capabilities. You will also have optional packages you can install to give you even more style and comfort. The Sun and Infotainment package features a panoramic sunroof, more USB charging ports, and an upgraded driver display system. The Confidence and Convenience package includes heated front seats, rear cross-traffic alert, and warnings for cars in your blind spot.
• The Premier is the top of the line and comes equipped with both LT packages but without the sunroof, which can be added as an option. This Equinox maxes out on luxury with leather-trimmed interior, wireless device charging, and 18-inch wheels. An optional Sun, Sound, and Navigation package chips in 19-inch wheels, the sunroof, navigation capabilities, a Bose sound system, and an HD radio.
You can see a full breakdown of each of the trim levels and compare features and performance to one another by visiting Chevy's official Equinox website.
Can You Really Tell a Difference?
The only way to see the difference between the 2017 and 2018 Equinox is to visit your local dealership and get behind the wheel of each. Once you’ve researched the different trims and optional features you want on your Equinox, the next step is to set up a test drive. Getting out on the road enables you to get the best feel for the vehicle and confirm that it is the one you’ve been waiting for.
From the new look on the outside to the packed features inside and the powered-up engine under the hood, it is no wonder why the 2018 Chevy Equinox is turning heads. Learn more about the 2018 Equinox at your nearest Spencer, Indiana Chevrolet dealership today—Community Chevy.
Sources
1. https://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/equinox/2017/review/
2. www.chevrolet.com/suvs/equinox-compact-suv