Chevrolet Surprises Everyone With 2018 Equinox

This thing is ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!  Look at that diesel highway fuel mileage... 40 MPG in a conventionally fueled, NORMAL everyday useful vehicle.  I just may have to start a new, short list of vehicles to move into!

Looks good and should remain Chevys second best seller. 

It appears much better packaged than the present and the loss of 400 pounds is impressive. 

The two tone interior is a welcome sight. It should really help in a segment where so many just offer dark and darker interiors. 

I am glad they went with the 2.0 as it is a great engine. 

The loss of the V6 is not a big deal as the weight loss will keep the performance about the same or better with more MPG. 

I just hope they added the ceiling vents to the rear like on the Acadia. The present model has poor AC and Heat. 

Wow! That's really attractive! I look forward to seeing the new Terrain. 

Would love to see it in another color and not the top trim level all the time......

Family is still considering one of these...and the new one is a looker....

Looks VERY good! It has the corporate face like the rest of the Chevy cars but that isn't a bad thing to me. I think it looks really really good.

..seats still don't fold flat though..? 

What a lovely CUV!  Honestly if you look at the over all shap, same as the old one generally speaking, but they went and gave it some sexy body lines which built character into the car, used a freakin kick ass color with two-tone interior. What is not to love about this car. I am happy they went with a torquey diesel option. It will be interesting to see how many people take the diesel based on the cost GM charges for it. If it is like 1500 to 2000 dollars, then it is a no brainer. But if they go over that, I think it will be a hard sell.

Diesel with AWD would make this an awesome CUV. If they keep the same engine lineup in the Terrain which I am expecting to be more butch, then this will really rock!

Around the back it reminds me of the Aussie Trailblazer.

6 hours ago, daves87rs said:

Would love to see it in another color and not the top trim level all the time......

Family is still considering one of these...and the new one is a looker....

Uncle Dave, if you go over to Chevy's site, you can see the new Equinox in a couple of different colors under the "performance" button.  Just click on the different engine options and you can see it rolling in CGI in different colors.

Front end looks like a Honda HRV. Back end and interior looks like a Malibu. Overall looks pretty decent.

And it's long overdue. The current Equinox is wwwwwaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy past it's sell-by-date.

10 hours ago, ccap41 said:

Looks VERY good! It has the corporate face like the rest of the Chevy cars but that isn't a bad thing to me. I think it looks really really good.

..seats still don't fold flat though..? 

 

I think the seats do fold flat. But the picture Chevrolet provided gives the impression it doesn't. 

11 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

Wow! That's really attractive! I look forward to seeing the new Terrain. 

Same. We should be hearing something in the near future.

The diesel is the Whisper Diesel that does so well in Europe.  I wish they would offer it in the Encore and Regal here like they do in the Mokka and Insignia in Europe.

Whisper Whisper, can you tell it is a diesel? That will surprise peeps.

Again, I hope the up front cost is minimal as 1,500-2,000 is a good upgrade cost, but if they go 3,000 + then they will have lost the chance to move them well.

It is much better looking than the current Equinox, the current car has dopey looking headlights.  Even though this has a strong Acura/Honda vibe from the headlights and grill I like it.  Good engine choices, I doubt many buy the diesel but it is worth giving it a shot, 3 engine choices is better than 2.

downsizing it was an excellent  idea, the  Equinox now is like Edge size, it is a foot longer than an Escape or CRV.  Now they can slot a crossover in between Equinox and Traverse.

nothing less than a homerun.  Diesel a big surprise.  Wish this had been out 3 months ago

it's stylistically consistent with the Malibu.  It also is highly similar to the current model in style, so it's not 'changing the product' in the public's eyes.  Looks like they got the size part right too.

This chassis has room (see Envision).  This will hit the jackpot with room and space plus light weight and good mpg.  This will probably end up the best selling chevrolet.

1.5 is a better base engine than the 2.5NA but the extra weight of the Equinox vs the malibu, and having driven this 1.5 for 3 months now, i think more folks should consider the 2.0 if you want a lot of oomph.  Hybrid should have been offered as well.  Bet the 1.5 is a huge dog when paired with AWD.

Now let's see if GM can keep the price in check.  I should tell my mom to wait for this instead of a good used SRX

I don't know about the exterior styling from those photos... but everything else on paper sounds very good. The diesel is a interesting choice. 

I guess you don't need the hybrid when it's got that, and I think for crossovers and utilities, diesel might make a better option. i dunno, but it is a fresh entry from Chevy after a long in the tooth run of the last gen. 

Now they've got potentially 4 crossovers soon on this same platform, Envision, XT3, Equinox and Terrain. Is the Terrain supposed to become more off-road focused?

BEAUTIFUL... a winner for sure.  Package and price it right, and it'll be a knockout.

Everybody says don't buy a 1.5 Escape... go for the 2.0.  Will they say the same about this Chevrolet and its 1.5L?  I hope the diesel is not ridiculously priced.

18 hours ago, ocnblu said:

Around the back it reminds me of the Aussie Trailblazer.

Uncle Dave, if you go over to Chevy's site, you can see the new Equinox in a couple of different colors under the "performance" button.  Just click on the different engine options and you can see it rolling in CGI in different colors.

Will have to check it out!

chevy's web site says 40 mpg highway for the diesel is expected.

Motor Trend says

" The new 1.5-liter shares architecture with those in other products but gets its own unique cam timing (later intake valve closure) and an improved turbocharger to boost performance and economy in the Equinox fitment. It is expected to be SAE certified to 170 hp and 203 lb-ft. "

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2018/2018-chevrolet-equinox-first-look-review/

for the diesel:

"We’re promised it makes the Equinox fun to drive with an output of 136 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and an estimated highway fuel economy rating of 40 mpg. All three engines will feature auto start/stop."

Start / Stop on a diesel? Interesting... 

Mm... just thought of this....

Terrain Denali Diesel.....

9 hours ago, regfootball said:

chevy's web site says 40 mpg highway for the diesel is expected.

 

Motor Trend says

" The new 1.5-liter shares architecture with those in other products but gets its own unique cam timing (later intake valve closure) and an improved turbocharger to boost performance and economy in the Equinox fitment. It is expected to be SAE certified to 170 hp and 203 lb-ft. "

 

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/equinox/2018/2018-chevrolet-equinox-first-look-review/

 

for the diesel:

"We’re promised it makes the Equinox fun to drive with an output of 136 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and an estimated highway fuel economy rating of 40 mpg. All three engines will feature auto start/stop."

Leave it to MT to come up with a "Fun to drive" scenario for an effin CUV. Lost and confused as to what people buy and why. 

This vehicle could be a game changer in the segment since really the only place a diesel is avail is over at the German three. The Q3 Diesel was rated at 20/29.. 

Interesting... it seems as though the 2nd row seats get heated as an option.  This pic is on the Chevrolet website.

Seems to me 170 hp and 203 ft/lbs torque in a relatively lightweight CUV will be fine for a majority of drivers.  Of course the 2.0t stats sound even better, but I would be looking at an LT, so I am not sure of availability.

that bump in power and torque vs. 160/184 is quite a bit.  Whatever extra pounds the new Equinox carries compared to the Malibu will probably be offset by that extra juice.

the Equinox has a smaller wheelbase and therefore too some of the weight came out of the chassis just by making it shorter.  

For most of the driving population nowadays that's what we will be ordered to have, tiny turbos.  If you want power you have to pony up big bucks for a bigger four cylinder.  Pony up another 10-15 grand if you want a car with a 300hp v6.

My 1.5 pulled 42.6 mpg on a 30 mile run on 60 mph crusing after i filled it the other day though......when it does that, maybe more power isn't needed........ lifetime mpg is sitting at right about 33 right now.......  anyone who buys an Equinox would be thrilled to get 30 mpg.... or high twenties with AWD

---edit----  wonder if the no Equinox hybrid is due to the not really a good place for the packaging of the batteries.....  is this the Cruze platform or Malibu?  It sort of tips it to be more related to the Cruze because the Cruze gets the diesel, the wheelbases almost match, and the Cruze doesn't get a hybrid.

Yes some of the weigh is due to over all size coming down. But the interior should have close to the same usable room due to better packaging. We like ours but it is not packaged well due to hard points. 

The price should fall a little since it dropped a size class just as the Acadia. 

The rear vent and heat are the greatest improvement. 

As for folding flat. To be honest it has helped me more not folding flat as I can carry 2x4 with the front seats up and lay them over the console as the rear seat holds them up. Same for the Soap Box Derby car as the tail fits over the console and between the seats. It would never do that flat. I expected it to be an issue but to be honest it has been a blessing more often. 

Haha, that didn't take long.  I took down my 2018 Equinox background picture and exchanged it for a 2018 Compass Trailhawk! 

On 9/24/2016 at 7:18 PM, Paolino said:

Interesting... it seems as though the 2nd row seats get heated as an option.  This pic is on the Chevrolet website.

 

 

Looks like heated and ventilated 

On 9/25/2016 at 2:20 AM, regfootball said:

 

---edit----  wonder if the no Equinox hybrid is due to the not really a good place for the packaging of the batteries.....  is this the Cruze platform or Malibu?  It sort of tips it to be more related to the Cruze because the Cruze gets the diesel, the wheelbases almost match, and the Cruze doesn't get a hybrid.

This is the Cruze/Volt platform.. D2xx. I would say that it is still a possibility for a hybrid after the diesel actually lands a few sales.

8 hours ago, Cmicasa the Great said:

Looks like heated and ventilated 

This is the Cruze/Volt platform.. D2xx. I would say that it is still a possibility for a hybrid after the diesel actually lands a few sales.

I thought so at first, and then I was talking to Drew and it is more-likely the option to just put on the heated seatbacks, not cooled seats.

http://www.fool.com/investing/2016/09/25/why-gm-is-offering-a-diesel-in-2018-chevy-equinox.aspx

"So what's all-new about the Equinox?

Everything. For starters, it's four inches shorter and 400 pounds lighter than the outgoing model, but it has an additional 3.5 cubic feet of interior space. It's built on a new vehicle architecture, called "D2XX" in GM-speak, that underpins several other recent GM vehicles, including the well-regarded Buick Equinox crossover."

On 9/27/2016 at 4:59 AM, ocnblu said:

Haha, that didn't take long.  I took down my 2018 Equinox background picture and exchanged it for a 2018 Compass Trailhawk! 

why not get a diesel manual cruze hatch?

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/10/gm-goes-german-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-offer-manual-transmission/

3 hours ago, regfootball said:

why not get a diesel manual cruze hatch?

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2016/10/gm-goes-german-chevrolet-cruze-diesel-offer-manual-transmission/

I saw that... what kind of awesome news is this? 

On ‎9‎/‎27‎/‎2016 at 9:07 AM, Cmicasa the Great said:

This is the Cruze/Volt platform.. D2xx. I would say that it is still a possibility for a hybrid after the diesel actually lands a few sales.

I didn't realize the Volt was shared with anything. I thought it was just it's own purpose built EV/Hybrid.

On ‎9‎/‎25‎/‎2016 at 0:34 PM, hyperv6 said:

Yes some of the weigh is due to over all size coming down. But the interior should have close to the same usable room due to better packaging. We like ours but it is not packaged well due to hard points. 

The price should fall a little since it dropped a size class just as the Acadia. 

The rear vent and heat are the greatest improvement. 

As for folding flat. To be honest it has helped me more not folding flat as I can carry 2x4 with the front seats up and lay them over the console as the rear seat holds them up. Same for the Soap Box Derby car as the tail fits over the console and between the seats. It would never do that flat. I expected it to be an issue but to be honest it has been a blessing more often. 

It's definitely been more beneficial that my seats fold flat than if they didn't fold flat. It might help in some rare situations but it's hard to believe somebody would want them to be angled more often than flat. It's easier to throw a blanket under the seat to keep it angled than to want it flat and you just can't.

4 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I didn't realize the Volt was shared with anything. I thought it was just it's own purpose built EV/Hybrid.

 

The Envision too, is a part of the Platform . Expect more.. as GM has been very vocal about consolidating its platforms.

To the Cruze and Volt.. they IMO, look almost identical

10 hours ago, ccap41 said:

I didn't realize the Volt was shared with anything. I thought it was just it's own purpose built EV/Hybrid.

It's definitely been more beneficial that my seats fold flat than if they didn't fold flat. It might help in some rare situations but it's hard to believe somebody would want them to be angled more often than flat. It's easier to throw a blanket under the seat to keep it angled than to want it flat and you just can't.

I though the same thing too when we bought it but I have found it to help in long loads and not even be an issue on other loads. 

What appears to be an issue turned out to be a non issue and even benefit when ever I haul the derby car and countless loads of 2x4's. 

I guess this could be classified as one of those don't knock it unless you lived with it. 

17 minutes ago, hyperv6 said:

I though the same thing too when we bought it but I have found it to help in long loads and not even be an issue on other loads. 

What appears to be an issue turned out to be a non issue and even benefit when ever I haul the derby car and countless loads of 2x4's. 

I guess this could be classified as one of those don't knock it unless you lived with it. 

While I am genuinely glad that it has worked out for you I would think the option of folding flat and if you need it angled up some you can throw blankets or something under there would be better as a whole. I've folded mine flat only a couple of times but I think flat would be more beneficial in most cases. 

I guess it also depends on how close to flat they are. I know the older vehicles that had folding rear seats really just leaned up against the front two seats. So even if they don't fold perfectly flat they're all pretty close now, I'd assume. 

On 9/25/2016 at 1:20 AM, regfootball said:

---edit----  wonder if the no Equinox hybrid is due to the not really a good place for the packaging of the batteries.....  is this the Cruze platform or Malibu?  It sort of tips it to be more related to the Cruze because the Cruze gets the diesel, the wheelbases almost match, and the Cruze doesn't get a hybrid.

oreally?

What is that sharp looking blue car?

On 10/4/2016 at 7:55 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

oreally?

if that's what i think it is, you've hit the jackpot.  Or just taking a spin.  That's the plug in hybrid though....

21 minutes ago, regfootball said:

if that's what i think it is, you've hit the jackpot.  Or just taking a spin.  That's the plug in hybrid though....

My point was that there is a Cruze hybrid... they just don't call it a Cruze... nor a hybrid....

Is that one of those new Volts?  Because I keep looking at those when I lurk the local Chevy lot on Sundays while I search for Cruze hatches and manual Sparks.

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2016 at 8:50 PM, ccap41 said:

While I am genuinely glad that it has worked out for you I would think the option of folding flat and if you need it angled up some you can throw blankets or something under there would be better as a whole. I've folded mine flat only a couple of times but I think flat would be more beneficial in most cases. 

I guess it also depends on how close to flat they are. I know the older vehicles that had folding rear seats really just leaned up against the front two seats. So even if they don't fold perfectly flat they're all pretty close now, I'd assume. 

My point is simply that because they are not perfectly flat that they are not rendered useless as many assume. I assumed and found different even myself.

I expected issues but it has not been an issue. Ideally flat is the best but the slight incline has created no issues and in my case been found to be a benefit.

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2016 at 8:55 PM, Drew Dowdell said:

oreally?

There is tons of room for batteries.

the problem is the tall profile and large frontal area. Drag is the killer for range on batteries and a tall vehicle as this it would cut into the range.

Note even the Tesla X is a short SUV or a little taller car. They kept it low and the frontal areas is very reduced.

Until ranges increase I do not expect much with the Volt or Bolt to be used in a CUV.

Even the Bolt because of the upright profile has been called a train wreck for aero numbers on an EV car. But they were willing to compromise for better utility.

I want one of those Cruze Hybrid thingys. I would just paint those chrome grille thingies black because chrome sucks. If they depreciate like the last Volt has I would like to be in one next year when the '18's come out for less than 20k.

http://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2016/10/26/gm-2018-chevrolet-equinox-boosts-advanced-high-strength-steel-to-31-uhss-to-11/

More or less no news here. 

The high strength steel mostly in the cage area of the unibody. Generally if it is hit hard enough to do damage to it most times the car is totaled out. Frame Racks can only go so far to repair damage anymore on these as the cost to bend it back and the labor for the other repairs are over the limit anyways. 

Funny how they make an issue here when the Ford Aluminum body is more likely to be the recpient of minor damage that will require full body panel replacement. Get hit in the quarter panel and you have to replace the entire panel. Door Dings are limited to paintless repair as Aluminum has no memory. Cracks and the ability to get it right is not as easy. 

On 9/24/2016 at 8:15 AM, Drew Dowdell said:

Mm... just thought of this....

Terrain Denali Diesel.....

A TDD by GMC would be very Cool!