EQUINOX BRINGS INNOVATION, EFFICIENCY AND COMFORT TO COMPACT SUV CLASS  

Equinox is Chevrolet’s all-new entry in the growing compact SUV market – but one that is significantly larger, more versatile and efficient than almost all other competitors while bringing a new balance of style, comfort and capability to the segment.

As one of the few compact SUVs equipped with a standard V-6 engine, Equinox is powered by GM’s 3400 3.4L V-6, rated at 185 horsepower (138 kw) and 210 lb.-ft. (285 Nm) of torque. This durable overhead valve engine is coupled to an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a powertrain that delivers smooth, strong acceleration along with reduced highway cruising engine speeds for excellent fuel economy.

Owners can equip the front-drive Equinox with an innovative on-demand all-wheel-drive system, which delivers power to the front wheels during normal driving conditions but seamlessly transfers power to the rear wheels if front wheel slippage is detected. While primarily intended for on-road use, this AWD system also provides excellent traction and mobility for off-road use.

Boasting the longest wheelbase and largest door openings among compact SUVs, as well as a wide stance, Equinox provides generous comfort for five adults and delivers a degree of versatility and innovation simply not found in its class.

Innovative sliding rear seat

One such innovative feature is a wide rear seat that can be moved nearly 8 inches (203 mm) fore or aft. In the aft position, the 60/40 split-folding multi-flex rear seat provides generous legroom for three full-size adults along with two recline positions. With the seat all the way forward, Equinox offers 68.6 cubic feet (1,943L) of cargo space. Because the rear seatback is split, Equinox can still carry up to two rear passengers and long cargo items. The front passenger seat folds flat, further extending cargo room length. When folded, the hard front seatback can be used as a table or desktop.

At the rear, a removable shelf can be positioned several ways to carry two levels of cargo. The panel has carpet on one side and a washable plastic surface on the other for messy loads, plus handy grocery bag hooks. A built-in leg turns the shelf into a convenient table for tailgate parties.

Stable yet smooth ride

Equinox’s solid body architecture is complemented by an independent MacPherson strut suspension up front and a four-link coil spring layout in the rear for a smooth, comfortable ride normally associated with larger SUVs, even on unpaved surfaces. The rear suspension has a trailing arm plus three additional locating links to facilitate a low, wide load floor and maximum rear passenger space. Equinox also boasts the longest wheelbase in its class.

Equinox is equipped with vented front disc brakes with dual piston calipers and rear brake drums. Anti-lock brakes are standard on AWD models, and available on FWD versions. Traction control is standard on FWD versions equipped with ABS.

All Equinox models come standard with an innovative electric power steering system that provides precise control and performance, along with improved fuel economy. An electronic control unit, calibrated for a variety of desired performance characteristics, controls an electric motor mounted adjacent to the steering column to provide the precise amount of assist needed for any given driving situation. Its variable-ratio steering delivers a responsive feel during highway driving and low effort for easier parking.

Safety/convenience features

Dual-stage frontal air bags and safety belt pretensioners complement the strong safety cage construction of Equinox. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. When the air bag system’s control unit detects an impact, it determines whether the crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment, and whether the primary amount of inflation is sufficient. The primary stage alone will deploy in most frontal impacts requiring the supplemental protection of an air bag, while a secondary stage is designed to deploy in more severe frontal collisions.

Pretensioners in the outboard front safety belt system deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.

Optional head curtain side air bags act like a protective curtain when deployed, unfolding from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header. When the bag deploys in a moderate to severe side impact, it is angled somewhat toward the window to help provide protection for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers.

Rear seats are equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system anchors for child safety seats. This system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor in all three rear seat positions to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats.

Starting with the Equinox, Chevrolet is making information about child safety seat installation more accessible to consumers shopping for a vehicle. Specific pages on the Chevy web site tell customers exactly how many car seats a vehicle can hold, where the seats can be placed, and where to find the LATCH hardware. The child seat web pages can be accessed from the main vehicle sections of the Chevy site (www.chevy.com) or directly at www.chevy.com/childseats.

Equinox has a comprehensive list of standard comfort and convenience features such as air conditioning; 16-inch wheels; multi-flex sliding and split-folding rear seat; flat folding front passenger seat; manual height adjuster on the driver seat; daytime running lamps; multi-tier cargo storage system; folding outside rearview mirrors; power door locks, mirror and windows; remote keyless entry; and AM/FM stereo with CD player.

Available features include leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel (LT only), heated front seats (LT with leather only), six-way power driver seat with manual lumbar adjustment, electrochromic inside rearview mirror with temperature and compass, redundant radio controls on the steering wheel, power sunroof with shade, 17-inch aluminum wheels, OnStar safety and security package (LT only), six-disc CD changer and MP3 player; and XM Satellite Radio (continental U.S. only).