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2005 Chevrolet Equinox Preview
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Based on driving time behind the wheel of the Saturn VUE, let's hope Chevrolet improved the steering feel, the seat comfort, the suspension tuning, and the quality of the interior materials for the Equinox. The VUE's electric steering is lifeless in the driver's hands, the front seats are small and unsupportive, the rear seats are mounted too low to the floor, the suspension is mushy and lacks the ability to adequately control body motions, and certain cabin appointments are cheap to both the sight and touch. If Chevrolet has tackled these issues, and erased the VUE's tendency to exhibit torque steer, the Equinox will be extremely competitive. Production of the Chevy Equinox commences in Ingersoll, Ontario in the spring of 2004, and by summertime they ought to be in Chevrolet showrooms nationwide. Then, if you can wait until calendar year 2005, a hybrid version should become available boasting the power of a V6 engine with the fuel economy of a small four-cylinder car. From our perspective, the VUE is getting better the closer we get to the Equinox.
Photos courtesy of General Motors Corporation
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About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
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