The popularity of crossovers is on the rise these days, and for obvious reasons ? they are great people movers and more efficient than sport utility vehicles.
Chevrolet got into the crossover game in 2005 with the Equinox, a low-priced 5-passenger utility vehicle with a versatile rear seat that slides forward and back to optimize passenger space or cargo room.
However, it wasn?t very sporty or powerful and, thus, was often overlooked. Chevy is looking to change all with its second-generation Equinox, unveiled today in Detroit.
It?s not only more distinctive-looking, but also comes to market with a pair of new engines that are some of GM's newest and most efficient ever.
The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox shares its architecture with the Saturn Vue. It is about the same size as the outgoing model, but has a more angular look and a sleeker profile thanks to a more sharply sloped windshield.
The previous model?s 185-horsepower V6 engine has been replaced with a revised version of GM?s Ecotec 4-cylinder as its base engine. The current Ecotec makes 164 horsepower and 160 lb-ft of torque in the 2009 Vue.
But the 2010 Equinox?s Ecotec gains direct-injection technology, boosting horsepower to 182 and torque to 174 lb-ft. It also delivers improved fuel economy.
GM estimates fuel-economy numbers of 21/30 mpg (city/hwy) with front-wheel drive and 20/27 mpg with all-wheel drive, a 25 percent highway improvement over the outgoing 3.4-liter V6. GM expects two-thirds of customers to choose this engine, and it will be offered with any trim level.
Available as an option for the Equinox is an engine new to the GM stable: a 3.0-liter, direct-injected V6. It is a derivative of the 3.6-liter V6 that it replaces in the Equinox lineup.
This 24-valve dual-overhead-cam engine produces 255 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. GM quotes fuel-economy estimates of 18/25 mpg with front-wheel drive and 17/24 mpg with all-wheel drive.
Both engines come with a 6-speed automatic transmission, but 3.0-liter V6 models also get a manual shift gate. The Vue also offers a hybrid powertrain, with another two-mode hybrid system to come. One or both may be available in the Equinox in the future.
Inside, the Equinox gets an all-new dual-cockpit interior inspired by the Chevrolet Malibu.
Available new features include ambient lighting, Bluetooth connectivity, USB audio input jack, hard-drive radio, rear-seat DVD entertainment with two headrest-mounted screens, and a rearview camera that displays in the available navigation screen or rearview mirror.
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A power rear liftgate is also be available, and Chevrolet says it is a class exclusive.
The MultiFlex rear seat returns, with eight inches of travel. Owners can set it all the way back to make rear passengers more comfortable, or fully forward for 31.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats.
The seats also recline and fold down to open up 63.8 cubic feet of cargo space.
Chevrolet has announced that LS, LT and LTZ models will return, but has yet to reveal pricing.
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