2011 Chevrolet Equinox Review

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox.

The same knee-jerk that put drivers into SUVs last decade is taking a lot of them out, and in a lot of cases thats an over-reaction, too. The answer for many isnt "no SUV", its a smarter, right-sized SUV, which in most cases means a crossover.

Its been a while since weve done a review of a Chevrolet Equinox, so we borrowed one from Courtesy Chevrolet in Phoenix for a week.

Chevys done a great job of covering a wide price range with the Equinox, which is its smallest crossover. The base model (LS) starts at $22,995 in front-wheel drive. There are three trim levels up from there (1LT, 2LT and LTZ) and all four are also available in all-wheel drive.

Ours was the front-wheel drive LTZ. Base price $28,570. Thatll get you the 2.4 liter 4-cylinder ECOTEC engine with 182 horsepower hooked up to a 6-speed automatic transmission and some nice EPA fuel economy estimates: 22 city/32 highway. Also on the standard goodies list: Four wheel anti-lock disc brakes, Stabilitrak, remote keyless entry, OnStar, a rear-view camera, Ultrasonic parking assist, programmable power lifgate, heated power outside mirrors, 17-inch aluminum sheels, fog lamps, projector beam headlamps, and and exterior chrome package.

Inside, the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox is comfortable and, in LTZ trim, loaded.

The standard equipment list for the interior is pretty long, too: Leather appointed seats with heated front buckets, 8-way power memory drivers seat and memory mirrors, sliding and reclining rear seats, automatic climate control, cargo net, cover and cross rails, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD 8-speaker Pioneer audio system, Bluetooth, outside temperature and compass, self-dimming rear view mirror and leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls.

Again, thats all part of the deal at $28,570. Not bad. In fact, very good. Good enough, in fact, that ours added only two options: 19-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels ($1,250) and the 3.0 liter V6 engine ($1,500).

About the engine...its a big step up in power...to 264 horses. Its great. But its also never going to get you anywhere near the mileage of the standard four. In fact, in 60% city street and 40% urban freeway driving, we averaged 16.5 miles per gallon (the EPA estimates 17 city/24 highway for the V6). If your driving includes mountain passes, that may be a trade worth making. If, on the other hand, youre mostly doing city-street commuting, seriously consider sticking with the ECOTEC four. 

With the V6, the Equinoxs bottom line was $32,130. Stick with the four and stick with the stock 17-inch wheels, and shed come in at $29,380.

Chevy says the Equinoxs prime competition is the Toyota RAV4, the Honda CR-V and the Ford Escape, all three well into their product cycle. The Equinox is by far the freshest of the four and should be on your  list.

2012 Chevrolet Tahoe

2012 2013 Chevy Tahoe models are designed to deliver a smooth and quiet ride over a variety of terrain. Its an icon of convenient driving thanks to the five-link rear suspension that features two upper control arms, two lower control arms and a track bar to control side-to-side movement. And newly available on 2012 2013 Tahoe SUV models equipped with the Vortex 5300 V8 SFI engine is the new StabiliTrak stability enhancement system that is designed to enhance your confidence behind the wheel. For more 2012 2013 Chevrolet specs, Chevy truck photos, or information about Chevy truck leasing or buying a new 2012 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe near you, please visit the other pages on this site. For updated Tahoe accessories, parts, pictures, check this Chevy Tahoe SUV review frequently.

Tahoe are remarkably comfortable and sophisticated. The three models – the Tahoe LS, Tahoe Z71, and Tahoe LT. The LS model offers contoured custom cloth seats, and an available split-folding third-row of seats that provides nine-passenger seating capability, a standard eight-speaker audio system and Premium Ride suspension. The Z71 model comes with features like 17-inch on-/offroad tires, 17-inch cast- aluminum wheels, skid plates, a newly available front brush, and a specially designed luggage rack with rear roller guard that makes loading and unloading heavy gear easy. Finally, the LT model features redesigned heated front bucket seats with standard Custom Leather seating surfaces. New second-row buckets that provide comfort and easy access to the rear are available as well. Stay here for all of the latest 2012 2013 Chevrolet Tahoe info and Chevrolet Tahoe accessories, parts, and

Chevrolet Trax will premiere at the Paris Motor Show

The Chevrolet Trax follows the Opel Mocha closely. Of the Germans, we know the prices all while the American is now the technique explained is done. Both are respectively just before and shortly after the New Year at the dealership.

Chevrolet is a substantial rise since the Trax soon and adds to its fleet, which include the Nissan Juke the fire seemed to want to impose. Shortly after the beginning of 2013 informs Chevys mini-SUV still. And not only us, moreover, because Trax is a global model and will be conducted in as many as 140 countries are supplied. Oddly enough, not in the United States, because the parent General Motors is already there, including wells with the Chevrolet Equinox and Buick Encore.

Mocha
The Chevrolet Trax is there as I said not alone. He is with the Opel Mocha developed, but also with the aforementioned Buick Encore. Actually they take apart almost the entire technical -- from each other, rather than a change coats is it basically. But that does not mean that each of them as its own audience, because there are external differences quite. Unlike the very similar Encore and Mocha gets the Chevy a much tougher and --look that good also discussed in the styling of the rest of the fleet.

Pockets
Also inside there are slight differences with the largest redesigned dashboard. But the center console is more at Chevys. At the boot offers 356 liters Trax normally. In a split-folding rear seat (60/40) is standard and the front passenger seat is fully flat. Chevrolet also promises among many storage options including various compartments above and on both sides of the center console and a storage drawer under the passenger seat. Under the floor of the boot is additional storage space.

Engines
Unlike Opel Chevrolet delivers not the atmospheric 1.6 in the 4.25 meter long Trax. The Americans only offer the 1.4 liter four-cylinder turbo and engine. This delivers 140 hp and 200 Nm and will be linked to a 6-speed manual transmission. Wheel drive is standard while the 1.7-diesel as an option is offered. The diesel is good for 130 hp and 300 Nm and is also connected to a manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is optional.

Level of equipment
the more luxurious models get standard Chevrolet MyLink, an infotainment system that displays information from smartphone on a 7 inch color touch screen. From next winter will MyLink a navigation app that can be downloaded on compatible smartphone. This is a route that the smartphone is set to the touch screen MyLink system appears.

To safety takes the Trax with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control including Hill Start Assist, traction control and ABS with electronic brake force distribution, of course. Trailer Stability Assist and Hill Descent Control are standard from the LT trim level.
Chevrolet, the new Trax shortly at the Paris Motor Show in September.