Yeah but I think it might have been the 4WD model. I don't understand why they need to test drive this so many times when they haven't done others within the category, most noteably the new 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe with the new 3.5L V6. I would like to see what the author would think about that vehicle. As for this one I think it's a great step in the right direction for GM and a big improvement from previous model. But it is by no means the best in it's category.
We can only test cars that the manufacturers give us. For example, Hyundai has been less than forthcoming with press vehicles lately (a lot of recent turnover in their PR department); at the same time, GM has a lot riding on the Equinox, so there are, apparently, loads of them in the press fleet.
And yes, we have tested an Equinox already; that one was an LTZ FWD, while this latest one is a lesser-trimmed LT model. We often do multiple tests of the same vehicle if we're given the opportunity to drive different versions of it, as is the case here. After this year, you probably won't see much about the Equinox until it gets a mid-cycle refresh in 2013-ish and GM throws a hundred more of them into the press pool.
![Tongue :P](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/tongue.gif)