I wrote a bit more here http://www.autocritical.com/blog/2009/07/2010-chevrolet-equinox-%E2%80%93-a-mixed-bag-of-cute-aggression/

I would hope you know the EPA changed the ratings in 2008. Under the old system the Equinox would likely be 24/35.

How is this vehicle different than the Traverse or GMC Terrain ? Why don’t they have 1 smaller SuV instead of like 4-5 ?

I love how GM and LLN consider 22 combined MPG ‘top notch fuel economy’.

What ever happened to a CR-V or Rogue sized SUV from this sad company ? 3800 lbs is the lightest SUV they have.

Seeing vehicles like this make me wish GM had gone 6 feet under even more.

And the way i look at it, would I rather roll in one of these or a Rav4 or CRV??? Which is actually a small cuv that I’d like to be caught driving in?? Yep…the Chevy. =)

Wow after the Tracker and the last Equinox GM fionally decided to make a halfway decent vehicle. I guess Im supossed to be impressed ? If it is anything like the old GM it will be recalled and be an unreliable pile …….oh wait the “new” GM’s are the same way

I cant wait to hear all the GM loverz who will claim that this is a quality vehicle equal to years of proven quality by Toyota and Honda despite not having valid proof.
Oh they have posted already bc they love domestics no matter what they put out no matter if the roof flies off or it catches on fire

For those who want the best quality, the best performance in a vehicle that will last hundreds of thousands of trouble free miles, only GM builds such vehicles. Time to trade in your POS import that just blew another engine or transmission in its first 10 thousand miles, and buy a real car.

Buy American. Buy GM. It is you patriotic duty.

Most designers may be under 50, but a fact is that many at GM are. Anyways, i believe the styling of Mercedes is for people over the age of 50.

The New Equinox design it young and maybe a bit too cute for some. But then those looking at Japanese equivalents get the same face-full of Kawai,”car cuteness”. Not as robust and sporty looking as the SATURN VUE looks, but not a bland little box either. Although I’m not fan of the overly expressive “cartoon eyes” headlights, I don’t see them as a deal breaker.

This will be a good “City Ute”, especially when the VOLTECH version makes it to market.

DeepSeaBlue535i,

I only have one exception to your statement about designers who are not 50 years old. Most designers are well under 50 and DO NOT have the slightest idea what “classic” styling is. If you mean designers like those at MERCEDES-BENZ, for example, keep in mind the company keeps a very tight leash on their designers demanding only evolutionary styling updates, with the once in a decade or so shift. It only looks classic because they aren’t allowed to do anything really, really new.

Nothing wrong there, but GM has settled on its general design language and, as with MERCEDES-BENZ, it doesn’t work well on everything. Honestly I like the new style of grill but yeah the headlights need to be less cartoony. It’s a gripe I have with the DODGE CHARGER, among others.

Jake: Why did you let carstuff get you? Your usually on point man.

Thirteen models ranked in the top three of their segments, two more than last year and all but one are associated with New GM
Chevy TrailBlazer and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL earned segment awards
Cadillac ranked 3rd, with a 19 percent year-over-year improvement and is now statistically tied with Lexus
Chevrolet is statistically tied with Toyota, Honda, Ford and Mercedes-Benz
According to J.D. Power, domestic and import quality is exactly the same for cars.
Oshawa Car earned the Silver Plant Award
Bowling Green tied for the Bronze Plant Award
Seven of the top ten North American plants were GM

SJ, I could not remember EVERY repeated comment. I mean everything I said comes up every time GM is mentioned here on LLN. Does not matter what the article is about. It could be that God came down and presented the perfect vehicle for GM to sell and it would still be Fugly or have the wrong name.

As for all of you quality clowns. I DO NOT like GM and American cars in general but they have come a VERY long way in the last 5 or 10 years. They are increasing quality and reliablity of their cars at a significantly faster pace than anyone else. Toyota and Honda lovers, don’t let that ONE good trait go to your head. It did with the Big 3 and look where they are now. It is important that you don’t get too comfortable with your status and I do see Honda and Toyota doing that. Heck here comes VW and their quality and reliability is mediocre at best and they are going to outsell EVERYONE in the world this year. Honda and Toyota needs to kick it up a notch. ALL cars are very reliable when compared to cars just 5 or 10 years ago. They need something else going for them…

Just my thoughts and I like the new Equinox.

If I was looking for a crossover with good gas mileage that had the looks and personality to match, this is it. It will sell not only sell well, but be the #1 crossover in the next year. I’ve already told my dad, who loves SUVs bu who’s company doesn’t pay for gas anymore (instead it’s cost per mile) to get this for his next ride.

I’m the pickiest SOB this side of the Mississippi, so that’s saying a whole heck lot.

do de do…. still waiting…..

If only it wasn’t government motors, but sorry! Can’t help represent that!

You forgot to mention how this vehicle cant go 300k miles with no repairs like Toyota and Honda products. You also forgot to say that the NEXT RAV4 and CRV will be way better and will get 35mpg easily once they add better transmissions and direct injection and other stuff. Oh, better yet mention taxpayer money and GOVERNMENT MOTORS to distract people from the competence of the vehicle. Overall good job at beating the USual Suspects to the punch and stealing their thoughts.

“This’ll sell. I’m no fan of the New GM at all and will never buy one due to how it came about, but this is a pretty good vehicle with damned good mileage in its base powertrain. ”

How did it come about? This vehicle was developed before the bailout. If you want to avoid bailout vehicles dont buy anything coming out in 2010 or later.

Honestly guys, This’ll sell. I’m no fan of the New GM at all and will never buy one due to how it came about, but this is a pretty good vehicle with damned good mileage in its base powertrain. Of course I am curious as to whether such mileage is achieved in reality, but if it is even close that casically Civic mileage. Plus it holds more, has elbow room, and you can throw your empty McMeal Deal bags all over the place and still look normal in it.

Now GM is cheating on EPA MPG numbers!! Missed that one. Guess the government is really helping GM by fudging the EPA MPG numbers. They do have a V6 if you want it.

I suppose I’m starting to think like Borat but if this had a diesel option it would be a rig I might consider. My wife had Monday off and drove an ’06 Liberty with the 2.8 CRD. When she took it up our ‘test hill’ near home she couldn’t believe the power and since she spends frequent time behind the wheel of our Mustang GT I have no reason to doubt her. And that’s why the 4 banger in this Equinox just wouldn’t be up to the task we would demand of it especially with the AWD. I’m sure the 6 would do just fine but the mileage penalty when you don’t really need the extra oomph makes it less appealing.

A year or two ago I thought I’d never say this but our long anticipated Tracker replacement is probably going to be a diesel and that means it isn’t going to be wearing another bowtie.