Chevrolet Equinox 2013 Review

Chevrolet Equinox 2013 Review

Eric Wills

Overview

The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox hasn't changed too much from its 2012 predecessor. With changes happening mostly inside with it's infotainment systems being updated a bit. Things like a USB input for devices like iPod or Zune. Also the addition turn-by-turn navigation and the ability to download directions to the car via OnStar, the changes aren't much.

The car itself is a nice mid-sized SUV, with plenty of room and features for everyone to enjoy. Upgrading through the different trims will get you far more luxurious interior items such as a 7inch touch screen system, featuring Chevy Mylink infotainment system.

With the small updates to the internal infotainment system it is a nice welcomed changed and update for this mid sized SUV. Not to mention depending on your flavor of engine you can get an affordable car that can help save on the gas. With the average fuel economy of these SUV's at 23 city / 32 highway. Not to mention OnStar being standard you can get better protection for your vehicle with emergency service, airbag deployment notification, and stolen vehicle tracking and assistance.

The vehicle is a perfect solution to those wanting a practical option for a bigger vehicle that won't break them on gas. Meeting most cargo or towing needs of any family or outdoorsmen, few options around are better than the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Plenty of room for both family, and hauling or moving loads with a stylish interior and exterior.

2013 Chevy Equinox
Starting MSRP	Max City / Hwy MPG
$24,155	22 / 32
Pros	Cons
Rides like SUV better on gas	Numbness in steering
Updated infotainment and radio systems	Not as hands free as one may expect
Comfortable seating front and back	Not as much room for hauling items as competitors

Trims

The 2013 Equinox comes in three trims LS, LT, and LTZ, they all share the same engine base options of the 2.4L 4-cyl engine. Once you move up from the base trim you have the option of adding in a 3.6L V6 Engine E85 FlexFuel capable. Not to mention optional interior entertainment upgrades.

With many of those options becoming standard, and others being added at the top level. For the most part the trims share most of the standard basic options between them and don't change too much for both interior and exterior. The higher trims you can have rival many luxury class vehicles with the technology, infotainment, and luxury electronics upgrading at each trim level.

Chevy Equinox Trims
Name	MSRP	Engine	Best MPG City / Hwy
LS	$24,115	3.6L V6	22 / 32
LT	$25,800	3.6L V6	22 / 32
LTZ	$30,915	3.6L V6	22 / 32

Performance

The standard 4-cyl engine performs decent to achieve a good balance between power and fuel economy. Giving you 182hp and 172ft of torque granted you won't be drag racing anytime soon, but respectable for the fuel range of 413 city / 601 hwy. It's 18.8 gallon tank of gas won't have you stopping that the gas station as often.

Also available on trims above LS is the 3.6liter V6 which will give you 301 HP and 272lb-ft of torque. Giving you the power you'd want from the vehicle, but raising your fuel consumption by only giving 17city and 24 hwy.

No matter the engine you choose not much has changed with the equinox, except the V6 engine, but the Equinox performs as it should. Drives much like a car, but rides like an SUV. The steering isn't as tight or agile as some like, however this car wasn't built for racing.

Interior / Exterior

With it's spacious seating the Equinox is in a class of it's own for comfort in the Midsized SUV category. The Equinox provides a rear sliding seat to give better room for your passengers and feels more like a full-sized SUV in this respect. With those seats able to move forward and backward, as well as fold down to provide more hauling room. It becomes difficult to find ways the car can be uncomfortable for you and your passengers.

The exterior of the Equinox is pretty straightforward for a car in this class. It has optional towing and top racks if you should need or choose to add these on. It has a very strong SUV look to it, and can often times be mistaken as one. While not nearly as big as the full-sized SUV's it does come close, and the ride feels as if you're in one of those larger SUV's.

Safety

The IIHS giving the safety top pick to the 2013 Chevy Equinox again makes it a safe and great new car choice. The Chevy Equinox has plenty of safety features across all the levels with the standards of electronic stability control, and traction control it is a perfect choice if you experience a snowy winter season. Plenty of airbags around the vehicle protecting you in the event of a collision from all sides of the car.

Much of the interior hasn't changed from the 2012, the dash gives all the same information and placements as before. The addition of a USB port to connect to your speakers / radio is a great change. Giving you the ability and freedom to connect your Zune, iPod, iPhone or other MP3 devices to play through your speakers. Also added on all levels is the ability to use OnStars service for Turn by Turn directional driving assistance.