First Impressions
It was raining as we waited for the 2010 Chevy Equinox (view photos) in a Kansas City parking lot. Then suddenly, as if on cue, the overcast Missouri skies lifted and a few rays of sunshine pierced the gray, reflecting off the iridescent black sheen of the vehicle as it pulled up to us. The new compact crossover literally sparkled under the fresh rainwater polish.
With the abundance of crossovers that have come on the market in the last decade, we didn't expect to be excited by the latest iteration of an arguably middling model from a company that was staring down possible extinction around the time the new Equinox was released.
But standing face-to-grill with the car, we got the sense we were meeting an attractive, functional, useful American crossover. Its low, wide stance conveys subtle confidence and power. The Equinox is large for its class but with styling sleek enough to almost mistake it for a sedan.
Walking around the side of the 2010 Equinox, we got our first hints of the ample cargo space we'd be using on our week-long trip across the Show Me State to St. Louis and back. It's tough to imagine a more fitting vehicle for our journey to the watery line where East meets West at the Mighty Mississippi than the Equinox, which takes its name from the twice-annual midpoint between the longest and shortest days of the year.
Our trip would also take us across the Missouri River at least six times, the route used by Lewis and Clark for the first leg of their epic journey. We imagined how thrilled they would have been to have such a vehicle at their disposal, with a hundred times the horsepower (264 on the 2010 V-6 Equinox versus 2 on the 1801 model standard horse-drawn wagon), just about as much cargo space as a single wagon, and with a hatchback to boot!
Pricing, Trims and Options
GM actually reduced prices on all Equinox trims for 2010, with the basic LS starting out at just under $23,000. But a tricked-out Equinox LTZ with all-wheel-drive, 3 liters, 6 cylinders, sunroof and all the navigation, entertainment and comfort accoutrements the whole family could ever need can push the price over $35,000.
If you seek extra power, upgrading from to the six-cylinder engine is well worth an extra grand, although the upgrade will drop fuel economy from 22 mpg city/32 highway to 17 mpg city/25 highway. Another $1,500 or so will get you all-wheel-drive as well, something worth considering if you ever plan to see snow or leave the city.
Adding an AM/FM/XM audio and entertainment system with those family-favorite rear seat screens will cost an extra $1,100 or so, and if you want to add the navigation system with entertainment system, you’ll add another $3,000.
Interior Features
While we were initially excited about the abundant cargo space in the Equinox – with storage compartments tucked seemingly everywhere and enough room to fit small household appliances and still close the hatchback – it became clear once inside that the space comes at the expense of the rear-seat passengers, especially when tall people occupy the front.
But for the folks in front, it's tough to find much to complain about the experience. We were comfortable in the Equinox's much-improved bucket seats for over 600 miles across Interstate 70 and plenty of time in St. Louis traffic. The dash and control panels are refreshingly intuitive, understated and attractive, a point where most others in the class come up short.
Our tall driver was also pleased with the vantage points offered by the Equinox, with a nice wide view of the road and fewer obstructions to the side and rear than in other larger crossovers.
Safety, Quality and Reliability
The 2010 Chevy Equinox aced its NHTSA crash test ratings, with five stars all around, something Lewis and Clark certainly would have appreciated on some of the hairier sections of their journey, and a tidbit we kept in mind during the torrential rains that snuck up on us as we crossed the Missouri River bridge just outside the University town of Columbia. Standard anti-lock brakes, head, passenger and side airbags, along with traction and stability control further increase peace of mind.
GM’s 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and 5-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty comes standard, as does a 5-year/100,000 mile roadside assistance package.
Reliability has been an issue with the first few years of the Equinox; some owners reported electrical problems and even potentially costly repairs to the automatic transmission and constant velocity joints. GM has clearly devoted more attention to improving quality inside and out on this latest generation of the Equinox in hopes of cutting into the Honda CR-V's stranglehold on the segment, which has been earned largely off its reputation for quality and reliability.