2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Pros: Generous passenger room for the class; large, versatile cargo space with good small-items storage; good selection of available comfort and safety features

Cons: Base engine has only adequate power; some middling interior materials; so-so rearward visibility

CG Says: The Chevrolet Equinox is redesigned and downsized for 2018, as Chevrolet updates the positioning of its SUV lineup. (The Equinox’s larger sibling, the Chevrolet Traverse, gets a bit larger for 2018, and a new Chevrolet SUV that slots between the Equinox and Traverse will likely be introduced in the near future.) The new Equinox is about four inches shorter and around 400 pounds lighter than the previous generation, which moves it from our midsize SUV class to the compact SUV category—where it now competes more directly against rivals such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV-4. Initially, the Equinox’s lone powertrain choice is a 170-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Expected later in the model year are a 252-hp 2.0-liter turbo four and a 136-hp 1.6-liter turbodiesel four, both of which are paired with a nine-speed automatic. All Equinoxes are available with front-wheel drive, and all models but the base L are offered with all-wheel drive. Available safety features include forward-collision alert, low-speed automatic braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot alert, rear cross traffic alert, and GM’s Teen Driver monitoring feature. A hands-free power liftgate, 360-degree camera display, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and automatic high beams are among the available comfort and convenience features. The previous-generation Equinox straddled the line between the compact and midsize SUV classes. The new Equinox’s downsized dimensions and smaller engines provide better fuel economy and a bit more tractability, and passenger and cargo room aren’t seriously compromised. The base 4-cylinder engine delivers only mediocre off-the-line acceleration, but the forthcoming engines should satisfy buyers who want a bit more pep.