Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD

[Autos_Editor]

Substantial end of model year discounts make this aging but capable SUV worth a second look.
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[ChaosphereIX]

if you want to save some money, sure. Cheap transport for the family. It also is one of the safest on the road.

...but you must absolutely buy the V6, the I4 has no power whatsoever. So that drives up the bottom line. Plus it is so vanilla...even in LTZ trim. But nothing in this segment is exciting really...get a wagon

this coming from someone who sold them for a living...

a refresh is sorely needed for this yeah...

[PJungnitsch]

We bought one at work recently, and it is pleasant enough, a big step up from the Impala totaled from the deer hit.

However definitely agree with this:

The driver can shift manually by moving the shift lever to the ‘M’ position and then pressing the + and – buttons on the shift handle, but it’s probably the most fiddly shifting mechanism on the market.

I like to manually shift sometimes, at least shift out of overdrive to get some engine braking, and it is not very easy to do.

[NormT]

We have the 2015 Terrain SLT2, one step below Denali, and it is a very nice to be in for city work and has long wheelbase to excellent highway ride. The fiancé drives it and usually sees 20 mpg idling for her work, running the AC full blast, and aggressively accelerating. On the highway over the last 50 mile average I have gotten over 32.5 mpg....with AWD.  The safety sensors keep her from backing into my car but she doesn't like the lane departure and collision alert barking at her.

Coming from an tinny, oil consuming 2012 Forester this car is a Cadillac! She likes the luxuries but in a package that doesn't scream the part with chrome, yet still looks rugged.

[Firm]

These "feel" terrible and are in desperate need of an update. BUT for someone who doesn't care much for cars, but wants affordable transportation with all the latest gadgets this is a pretty good buy. It gets the job done, and I do think it's the right size for a lot of families.

NormT, you should be able to turn that lane departure feature off - I usually do everytime I drive a newer GM.

[Solstice2006]

if you want to save some money, sure. Cheap transport for the family. It also is one of the safest on the road.

...but you must absolutely buy the V6, the I4 has no power whatsoever. So that drives up the bottom line. Plus it is so vanilla...even in LTZ trim. But nothing in this segment is exciting really...get a wagon

this coming from someone who sold them for a living...

a refresh is sorely needed for this yeah...

As per the article, the 4 cylinder competes with the competition, except the larger turbos, so in that case a V6 would be more competitive.

The same thing could be said about wagons... Is the golf wagon exciting? 

And don't get me wrong, I like wagons.  The Jeep Cherokee, is polarizing, can't call it vanilla, that's for sure. 

[EV-Light]

if you want to save some money, sure. Cheap transport for the family. It also is one of the safest on the road.

...but you must absolutely buy the V6, the I4 has no power whatsoever. So that drives up the bottom line. Plus it is so vanilla...even in LTZ trim. But nothing in this segment is exciting really...get a wagon

this coming from someone who sold them for a living...

a refresh is sorely needed for this yeah...

$41k for an Equinox is too much money....you can get a well equipped Explorer or Edge for the same price. They are at least 5k overpriced as it stands in my opinion.

As per the article, the 4 cylinder competes with the competition, except the larger turbos, so in that case a V6 would be more competitive.

The same thing could be said about wagons... Is the golf wagon exciting? 

And don't get me wrong, I like wagons.  The Jeep Cherokee, is polarizing, can't call it vanilla, that's for sure.

[Solstice2006]

if you want to save some money, sure. Cheap transport for the family. It also is one of the safest on the road.

...but you must absolutely buy the V6, the I4 has no power whatsoever. So that drives up the bottom line. Plus it is so vanilla...even in LTZ trim. But nothing in this segment is exciting really...get a wagon

this coming from someone who sold them for a living...

a refresh is sorely needed for this yeah...

$41k for an Equinox is too much money....you can get a well equipped Explorer or Edge for the same price. They are at least 5k overpriced as it stands in my opinion.

As per the article, the 4 cylinder competes with the competition, except the larger turbos, so in that case a V6 would be more competitive.

The same thing could be said about wagons... Is the golf wagon exciting? 

And don't get me wrong, I like wagons.  The Jeep Cherokee, is polarizing, can't call it vanilla, that's for sure.

If you compare a Ford Escape SE AWD with the 1.6L, with a Chevrolet Equinox 1LT AWD with the 2.5L, they are very closely matched in features, and price.  The Escape is $1300 cheaper.  Both frequently have deals on.  Even if you finance the Equinox there is $1660 off (basically freight) and 0% financing on any term up to 84 months.  If the Equinox is $5000 over priced, then the Escape is $3700 over priced!

[NormT]

The Equinox and Terrain twins have aged well and with updates have remained competive and finishing right behind the newer cars.
https://www.cars.com/articles/28000-compact-suv-challenge-the-results-1420680467422/
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/Affordable-Compact-SUVs/

[EDM]

We recently had one for a rental car and it just felt absolutely awful to drive and/or ride in (and this is coming from a family who used to have a Pontiac Torrent back in the day).  The Equinox/Terrain are in desperate need of a redesign - I'm surprised it actually sells outside of rental fleets. There are so many better CUVs in this price point.

[Neromanceres]

Of note the refresh for the 2016 model year is a temporary measure (like the 2015 Cruze refresh).  There is a whole new from the ground up Equinox and Terrain coming out for the 2017 model year.  The Equinox is going to shrink a little to be more in line with the segment.