2011 Chevrolet Equinox Overview Change Vehicle

This 2011 Chevrolet Equinox overview explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2011 Equinox, and includes safety, reliability, and fuel economy information for the Equinox.

One year after a complete redesign, Chevrolet makes minor changes to the 2011 Equinox. The standard OnStar telematics system gains six free months of Directions and Connections service; the LS adds a compass; the 1LT now includes Bluetooth, a USB port, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; and the 2LT is offered with available cloth heated seats. For 2011, the optional 3.0-liter V6 is flex-fuel, E85-compatible, and new colors include Twilight Blue and a re-mixed version of Summit White.

Equinox buyers can choose between four different trim levels for 2011, including the standard LS, the upgraded 1LT and 2LT, and the luxury-oriented LTZ. Each of them is equipped with a MultiFlex rear seat design, which allows the back bench to slide forward as much as eight inches to add cargo capacity or slide back to maximize legroom, and a fold-flat front passenger’s seat allows the Equinox to carry longer items with ease.

The most affordable Equinox, the LS, is well equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, air conditioning, a power height adjuster for the driver’s seat, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power mirrors, and power windows. A stereo with satellite radio, a CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary input jack is included, along with OnStar, a driver information center, and a compass display. Options are few for the LS, with Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, floor mats, a cargo cover, and privacy glass the main choices.

Additional features are offered with the 1LT trim level. Body-color exterior trim, nicer cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, Bluetooth, a USB port, heated side mirrors, roof rack rails, floor mats, and privacy glass are included on this model. Choose the available V6 engine, and the Equinox 1LT also gets standard 18-inch aluminum wheels. Optional features are remote engine starting, a cargo management system, a rearview camera display integrated with the rearview mirror, a premium sound system, an eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, roof rack crossbars, and a power sunroof.

Upgrade to 2LT trim if you want fog lights, a premium sound system with a CD changer, automatic climate control, and most of the optional features for the 1LT model. Additional options for the 2LT include leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power sunroof, a hard-drive navigation radio system, a dual-screen rear DVD entertainment system, rear parking assist, a power liftgate, roof rack crossbars and a cargo management system. With the V6 engine, a Trailering Package can be added to the 2LT model, and you can dress up the outside with a Chrome Appearance Package.

Equinox LTZ models include chrome exterior trim as standard equipment, along with leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear parking assist, a power liftgate, a cargo management system, and roof rack crossbars. Additional LTZ features include auto-on projector beam headlights and driver memory settings for the seat and mirrors. Bigger 19-inch wheels are available with the optional V6 engine, and a Trailering Package can be added to the LTZ V6. A handful of options are offered on this top level of trim, including a hard-drive navigation radio, a dual-screen rear seat DVD entertainment system, and a power sunroof.

Two engines are available on the 2011 Chevy Equinox. The standard engine is a direct injected, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, which makes 182 horsepower at 6,700 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission delivers the power to the front wheels, or, optionally, all four wheels. Fuel economy estimates are 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, and 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway with all-wheel drive.

For additional power and the ability to tow 3,500 pounds, a 3.0-liter V6 engine is optional on all models except the Equinox LS, It makes 264 hp at 6,950 rpm and 222 lb-ft of torque at 5,100 rpm. A six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability is includes, and buyers can pair the V6 with FWD or AWD. EPA mileage estimates are 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway with FWD and 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway with AWD.

Every 2011 Equinox is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features including four-wheel disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control, dual front airbags, side impact airbags, and side curtain airbags. Standard OnStar includes a free year of service that includes Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Crisis Assist, and Roadside Assistance. Optional safety features include rear parking assist and a reversing camera.

This year the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) restructures its crash-test program, raising thresholds for its well-known star safety ratings. In the new tests, the Equinox receives 4-Star ratings for front seat protection in a head-on collision and 5-Star ratings for passenger protection in side impact tests. Rollover risk is unchanged for 2011, rated 4 Stars for both front- and all-wheel-drive models.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) calls the 2011 Chevy Equinox a Top Safety Pick thanks to top-rated performance in the IIHS’s frontal offset test, side impact test, roof strength test, and rear crash protection assessment.

Two respected market research firms – Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates – predict that the 2011 Equinox will deliver average reliability over time. Despite this, Consumer Reports is recommending the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox.

In a comparison test conducted by Vehix, the Equinox narrowly lost first-place to the Honda CR-V, and beat both the Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson. Our main complaints pertained to the unrefined four-cylinder engine didn’t deliver fuel economy in line with EPA estimates, a confusing control layout, a narrow cargo area, and limited visibility. On a positive note, we liked the styling, seat comfort, ride and handling, warranty coverage, and safety features. The Equinox may not be perfect, but it is competitive.

-- By Sam Gallegos and Christian Wardlaw