Having not driven the new Equinox (Mark is in it as we speak unless he drank too much at an airport bar), I can’t comment on the way it moves. But I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen inside. If Toyota would add a bit more GM to the interior (hop in a Malibu, Enclave or CTS if you don’t believe me!), the Highlander would be a winner.

Wait… despite the low quality, cheap looking plastics, the “extremely slow steering” the average body roll and average- to under average handling characteristics- you would call this refined?

I’m sorry, but if this was a GM car for all the things I mentioned you would have put the pencil (or keyboard) to rest there and began criticizing it for it’s low quality- and never come back from the depths to praise it, aside from simpler things.

Why buy this piece of junk when you can buy a 6 cylinder Ford Edge with a good amount of options, although a bit smaller, for just a hair over $26k? If passengers is your concern, you can get a Town and Country with rebates, well equipped for $24k, or a Dodge Journey with third row seating well equipped for $25k? If your concerned about fuel economy and package size, you could go for a loaded Mazda5 with EVERYTHING for $24k, or a loaded Kia Rondo with nearly as much horsepower and the same fuel economy for $23k, and after rebates $20k!

I’m not so much criticizing your review Andrew- I think it was great. But I’ve read numerous other reviews, a few from you although not as many go to criticize GM cars and the like for just “low quality plastics”, that went on to not so much bash, but harshly criticize it for the same thing this got only moderate constructive criticism for. I’ve driven two of these before, the hybrid and a top end model. Both were fairly nice and crisp, so maybe it’s just the lower end model.

Really, 4 cup holders between the front seats? I understand all they think Americans do is drink something while driving, but wouldn’t that space be better utilized for things like cell phone storago or for you wallet? Theis thing needs a V-6 to get going. You can’t seriously believe a 4 cyl is the answer for this relatively large SUV. Toyota also has a problem fighting it’s own Rav4 with this model, both are in many ways the same class of SUV.

Oh Andrew, did you see if GST added in their awesome surcharge?

i can honestly say there are no mice or guinea pigs in the class as they’d be constantly freaked out

by the group of young reptiles that leave sometime around 3pm

@A4: Your sixth grade science classroom didn’t have mice or guinea pigs?