2005 Chevrolet Equinox Review

Chevrolet has replaced its small, trucklike Suzuki-derived Tracker sport-utility vehicle with its larger new Equinox, which is based on General Motors' carlike Saturn Vue.

The Equinox is among the best-looking Chevy trucks and is one of the handsomest mid-size sport-utes. It uses metal body panels instead of the Vue's dent-resistant plastic body panels, but is longer and roomier.

A split-folding rear seat handily slides fore and aft eight inches to increase rear-seat room for tall adults or to reduce it for children while adding cargo space. That feature should be on every sport-ute, although the Equinox offers no third-row seat.

The Equinox is only a little shorter than a mid-size Ford Explorer and rides on a 112.5-inch wheelbase that's just a half-inch less than Chevrolet's slightly longer TrailBlazer. Despite that, Chevy calls the Equinox a "compact'' sport-utility and the TrailBlazer a "mid-size'' sport-ute because it doesn't really want them to compete with each other.

The Equinox lacks the Vue's optional 3.5-liter, 250-horsepower Honda-supplied V-6, but its smooth 3.4-liter, 185-horsepower V-6 doesn't feel overworked and provides lively acceleration despite its old pushrod design.

The V-6 works with a five-speed automatic transmission that upshifts smoothly and downshifts quickly.

Estimated fuel economy is 19 mpg in the city and 25 on highways, no matter if the Equinox is equipped with the standard front-drive or available-on-demand all-wheel drive. I averaged about 16 mpg in city driving because the Equinox is no lightweight; even the base front-drive version weighs nearly 3,700 pounds. Only 87-octane fuel is required.

The Equinox comes in LS or upscale LT Trim levels and is attractively priced. List prices range from $21,095 to $24,435, with all-wheel-drive versions costing more. For example, the all-wheel-drive LT costs $1,975 more than the front-drive version.

The all-wheel-drive system has no low-range gearing for tough off-road use because the Equinox is primarily designed to be a suburban errand runner, although it's a capable highway cruiser. All power goes to the front wheels during normal driving, but some of it shoots to the rear wheels if there is front-wheel slip.

Even the LS is well-equipped. Standard items include air conditioning, the usual power accessories, remote keyless entry and an AM/FM/CD player. The all-wheel-drive LS adds anti-lock brakes, which are a $400 option that includes traction control for the front-drive LS.

Both versions of the LT have anti-lock brakes and add cruise control, fog lights, rear privacy glass and alloy wheels.

Options include $395 curtain side air bags. The LT is offered with $250 heated front seats and $545 leather upholstery. My test Equinox LT all-wheel-drive model had a $3,745 option package that contains a power sunroof, in-dash six-disc CD player, steering-wheel radio controls and OnStar assistance system.

The Equinox feels smaller than it is, largely because it has a carlike unibody design and not the trucklike body-on-frame design of the TrailBlazer.

The electric power steering is a little slow, and a 41.8-foot turning circle will cause lots of wheel turning in parking maneuvers. The slow steering ratio accompanies a soft suspension, which easily soaks up road imperfections and thus delivers a smooth ride. It causes pronounced body lean in turns if you're driving hard, although handling is good during routine driving.

The all-wheel-drive system enhances stability, as do the $295 17-inch alloy wheels and 60-series tires offered for the LT. Standard for the LS and LT are 16-inch wheels and 65-series tires.

Stopping distances are short, and the brake pedal is sensitive without feeling touchy.

Wide doorways, a low floor and chair-high front seats make it easy to get in, as do big outside door handles. The soft front seats should provide more side support and seem a bit smaller than they should be, but the front passenger seatback can be folded forward to handle extra-long cargo.

The quiet, roomy, functional interior has an upscale look. It offers comfortable space for four tall adults, with a voluminous back seat. Gauges can be quickly read, and the fairly large climate controls are easy to use. Visibility is generally good, although thick windshield pillars sometimes partially block it. The large outside mirrors can be folded against the front glass to prevent damaging them in tight spots.

Power window controls are on the center console, rather than being in a more convenient location on the front doors.

Finding the intended gear with the console-mounted shift lever can be a little confusing because of the location of the gear position indicators.

The one-piece tailgate has no separate glass opening, but the low, wide cargo floor facilitates loading.

Rear seatbacks fold forward to enlarge the cargo area. But the combination cargo area cover/adjustable shelf is awkward to use and has side mounting points that eat up cargo room.

The nicely assembled Equinox should be a long-term success because it offers good performance, comfort and utility for attractive prices.

2005 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

PRICES
$21,095-$24,435

LIKES
Roomy. Lively. Nice ride. Decent handling. Handsome. Sliding rear seat.

DISLIKES
Slow steering ratio. No third seat. Not for hard driving.