Saw it at the car show--not bad looking at all.
What concerns me is the engine...a 185hp 3400 V6!!
It'll be the biggest, heaviest vehilce in its class and saddled to that engine will probably make it the slowest too! How dumb is GM?
3400 was okay for a GAGT but it seems to be GM;s band-aid engine.

 

I don't even think it'll matter that much.

Equinox is going to sell like the proverbial hot cakes.

 

I think this SUV looks great and will sell very well too.

I also agree that it should have got a different engine, like the new 200HP 3.5L v6. Everyone else has a 200HP V6.

Although, everyone else also has a much weaker base engine, so as far as base engines go, thank god it got the 3400 and not the 2.2L ecotech.

not that the 200HP 3.5L V6 would have made it much faster or tow more, but I think just for marketing it would be better to have a 200HP+ V6.

 

LOL that was a funny line....

 

I can only assume that the Equinox will have massive incentives from day one, because there is nothing desirable about this vehicle. The use of the 3400 V6 just underlines the lack of originality and purpose that surrounds this vehicle. I can't believe I'm saying this, but a Kia Sorrento looks like its worlds ahead of the lame little Equinox.

There again, I think Chevrolet's passenger cars have degenerated into weak competitors for even the Korean imports. The brand new Malibu represents an evolutionary dead end, much like the Plymouth Acclaim of 10 years ago. Its bland, already-dated styling literally screams "rental fleet."

 

My G/f has a RAV4 and would kill for 185 HP. Most of the big sellers in this segment RAV4, CR-V have painfully slow four bangers in them. My g/f is always bitching cuz it is soo slow and the overmatched hampster wheel of an engine gets ****ty gas mileage. I think the Equinox will have no trouble selling...my g/f already wants one..

 

Once again, I'm sure you've spent a good deal of time behind the wheel of the 2004 Equinox and so you are very well qualified to give an opinion.

 

The Equinox will probably be the next vehicle I buy. I'm getting it for my wife. She likes the way it looks and so do I.

 

I agree about the looks, I'm hoping to get one for the little lady too.

 

The Equinox is gonna be a HUGE seller.
I say this with much certainty after seeing the almost 95% favorable response to it by members of all the different message boards,friends Iv talked to and autoshow goers.
Iv seen it both in Detroit and Toronto, and I can attest that it looks very very good. This will be a definite bright spot in Chevys lineup.

As for being underpowered, I don't think most people need more power than 185hp. The Saturn VUE has 181hp.

 

hmmm....the Vue can barely outrun a new automatic CRV. But I am pretty sure Vue is being upgraded to 3.5L 240 hp Honda V6. The Escape is lighter and has more hp, it also beats the Vue.

The 3500 would be a better choice at minimum. Gonna make something new (and biggest, heaviest in class) put a decent motor in it. Why shoot yourself in the foot?

And I am not most people, so it does not have enough hp to mathch its good looks. Thanks goodness, like someoe already said, the 2.2 Eco-tech is not the standard engine.

 

People are thinking about this too much as enthusiasts and not as perspective SUV shoppers. It's all about the looks and packaging, not necessarily what's under the hood. Who drag races SUVs anyway? Why does Explorer still outsell Trailblazer even though the Ford's optional V8 makes considerably less power than the 4.2 I6?

 

"Why does Explorer still outsell Trailblazer even though the Ford's optional V8 makes considerably less power than the 4.2 I6?"

I would venture the answer to that is loyal longtime buyers and the misconception that the V8 is more powerful.

Nonetheless, EVERYTHING is getting more hp these days, enthusiast cars or not. (take the Cavalier--every single one has a standard Eco-tech with 140hp--outdated car yes, power problems? no)

And for a brand new
SUV, the Eqouinox choice of powerpalnts is disapointing.

Maybe most buyers won't care. But thats not a gamble I would take if I was bringing this thing out to market and I wonder why GM is cheaping out on the powertrain.