2010 Chevrolet Equinox 2LT

Second-generation crossover jumps into the compact segment

By Nina Russin

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

As General Motors works to reinvent itself as a leaner, meaner company, the all-new Equinox could be a poster-child for its rebirth.While Chevrolet’s second-generation crossover vehicle is slightly smaller than the car it replaces, it has more standard content and enhanced safety features.

At a recent media event, General Motors  executive vice-president and CFO, Ray Young, commented: “For General Motors, Chevrolet is the biggest asset we have. Both Fritz (Henderson) and I believe that if we can’t make Chevy successful, GM won’t be successful.”

When GM emerges from bankruptcy protection in August: it will do so with four core brands: Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and GMC. In addition to being GM’s best-selling brand, Chevrolet’s value focus epitomizes the company’s new direction. 

Product planners expect the new Equinox to be one of Chevrolet’s volume leaders. The economic down-tick and rising fuel prices have been good  news for the compact sport-utility segment, which now accounts for  ten percent of all new car sales.

The Equinox’s versatile interior offers buyers coming out of larger trucks the functionality they need. Exceptional highway fuel economy minimizes the impact of rising gas prices on its cost of ownership

The five-passenger Equinox comes with either a four or six-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission, and front or all-wheel drive. Average highway fuel economy for the front-wheel drive, four-cylinder car is 32 miles-per-gallon. Read the rest of this entry »