The Chevrolet Equinox’s best years may have altogether demonstrated a bounce-back approach after a stretch of misfortunes. Take for instance the initial time to establish the compact utility vehicle in a highly competitive market. It did not happen overnight but a few years later, a dependable unit surfaced near the top of the SUV heap.
While the maiden year and the next couple of years have mechanical troubles emerging from various locations, GMC managed to establish improvements that would propel the automotive giant out of uncertainty.
Issues regarding engine troubles and safety feature defects have fueled Chevrolet to address all sorts of concerns and unleash car models that would revive the glorious past of the organization. Even though the path towards recuperating the reputation of the Chevy model has been inconsistent, the trail of adjustments done by General Motors improved over time.
With its latest models, the Equinox becomes an added option to potential buyers seeking value for their money. The general public wanted, in fact, a reliable automobile that has enough good years in the tank ahead of it.
2009: Star-Chasing Vehicle
The arrival of the 2009 Equinox made up for its rough start from 2005 to 2008. This model achieved what the previous model years have been trying to accomplish.
This model year offers a couple of engine options. The standard 3.4L V6 machine with a five-speed transmission unravels a car that has an imposing acceleration. On the other hand, a package built around the 3.6L platform presents a stronger but impeccable engine on a six-speed transmission with variable valve timing.
The 2009 Equinox brings to life a tap-shift control for semi-manual gear modifications. Prospective car owners get the chance to go home with the front-wheel drive or the all-wheel drive variations whose quick response capacity can speed up to around 60mph within seven seconds.
In addition to being equipped with a rigid steering component and an independent suspension, the car also possessed 18-inch alloy wheels, a body frame with shades of color, and a defiantly fiery exhaust material.
What is noteworthy about this compact would be attributed to its extensive legroom and highly functional safety tools. Since its rear seats are set on sliders, it allows an 8-inch of flexibility. An adjustable cargo piece at the back is in place to accommodate items on hand.
2014: Surging SUV
This year’s Chevy model comes with the four-cylinder engine armed with 182HP in addition to another elective V6 edition that is empowered with 301HP. With the availability of an all-wheel drive platform, it offers trim levels in four categories, namely, the LS, the 1LT, the 2LT, and the LTZ.
It continues to sustain the extra space which its predecessors promoted. Behind the rear seat, the capacity is around 31.4 cubic feet which can be translated into about 63.7 cubic feet when that same stall is folded.
This time, Chevrolet has invested extensively in the safety features for the passengers of the Equinox. Installed on the unit include the Lane Departure Warning and the Forward Collision Alert systems. It also comes with recreational items like the company’s MyLink platform. Dual displays of the car’s video entertainment coverage are fitted at the back of the front seats.
What makes the 2014 model better than its counterparts is the availability of its chrome packages for the wheels. Owners have the option to choose between the Red Rock Metallic and the Silver Topaz Metallic colors which blend nicely with the exterior outlook of the Chevy.
2018: A Promising Draw
The utility vehicles that came off the production lines after 2017 have exhibited a much-improved build. This classy bunch offers a balanced system of practical attributes. In fact, the products offered during this stretch are among the best Equinox units that had been rolled out.
Aside from having increased horsepower and dependable grip on the road, the 2018 Equinox has been integrated with an incredible towing power of around 3500 pounds.
More impressively, an alert feature has been incorporated into its system wherein the driver’s seat gets a surround-view camera. The device warns those manning the automobile when imminent threats on the road become visible. This tool is further supplemented with a low-speed automatic brake system which will be conducted way before the car inches closer to dangerous scenarios.
2019: Focused on Economy
To keep fuel consumption manageable, the 2019 Equinox brings in a machine that supports its vision of energy economy. It is equipped with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine. Owners get the opportunity to acquire its turbo-charged version.
The company has previously promoted a 1.5L machinery to further save on gas costs but the car ran into trouble during the testing phases. Apparently, trouble began brewing because the engine is insufficiently powered and its acceleration has been sighted to be less desirable.
What allowed the 2019 model year to stand out from the rest of the units in the compact SUV industry can be attributed to the upgrades it got. It was a sight to behold when it comes to its exterior presentation considering the presence of the LED headlamps and taillights.
Add to that the attachment of a chrome grille frame surround including the molded running boards. The vehicle got even better with the installation of its 19-inch chrome wheels which allowed it to gain an increased lift.
Technology-wise, the utility vehicle managed to acquire four USB ports which were standardized for the upcoming models. The backup camera also improved with the integration of a higher-resolution lens system.
What also made the 2019 model year quite exceptional is the fact that it stayed true to its gas-saving mission due to the introduction of the four-cylinder diesel engine. Although it is slow compared to the other editions, it is packed with extra power.
2021: Up-and-Gunning Edition
The Chevy Equinox’s best years have been highlighted with the entry of the 2021 model. Experts at GMC tinkered with the base engine from the previous months and managed to bring up a much improved 1.5L turbo-charged four-cylinder machine that is powered with a front-wheel drive system and an optional four-wheel drive variation.
Chevrolet has introduced a market-friendly unit that would give the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V serious competition in the compact vehicle race. With an economical and powerful engine underneath, this year’s model favorably included affordability as an encouraging factor among potential buyers.
Car observers and enthusiasts have been enticed by a modest automobile that is equipped with advanced systems like stability and traction controls on top of a drivetrain with valve timing and direct injection.
A Bright Road Ahead
The down periods were definitely frustrating for GMC as its promising compact vehicle faced difficult mechanical hurdles over the past decade. However, the Chevy Equinox’s best years couldn’t have come at a better stretch if not for the stirring experiences learned along the way. Things, apparently, would only get finer over time.
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