  2010 Chevrolet Equinox. Click image to enlarge |
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Follow Autos on TwitterInside Story is a review of interior comfort features, cabin controls, storage options, trunk space and under-hood accessibility based on a seven-day evaluation. For driving impressions, please see our Test Drives section.
Review and photos by Michael Clark
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2010 Chevrolet Equinox
Tanks. Tanks a lot.
It’s hard not to miss the propaganda emanating from the 2010 Chevy Equinox as of late – all 1100-odd kilometres of it. As with most lofty fuel mileage claims, the advertised kilometres-per-tank rating is for the smallest engine, the least amount of differentials, and an overdrive highway cruise. Here’s an Inside Story question: will you want to spend 1100 kilometres inside of one, regardless of range? This week, I take a shorter journey in the top trim level for the Equinox, the LTZ. This front-driver V6 settles in at an MSRP of $39,160. (Prices shown do not include freight, taxes, regional or promotional incentives.)
  2010 Chevrolet Equinox. Click image to enlarge |
Remember those GM steering wheel-mounted controls that looked like actu-bunions attached with two-sided tape? You’ll quickly forget about them, once you wrap your gloves around this tilt and telescoping three-spoker. Cruise, audio, and Bluetooth phone controls make up the array. Instead of an on/off push switch, the cruise control power is engaged by a rocker toggle. This is all starting to feel a little Euro, and/or Saab leftovers that work well. Note the proper steering wheel thumb locaters. Take a peek at the floor shifter for the six-speed automatic, equipped with a manu-mode gear selector toggle.
The headlamp switch on the turn signal stalk gets the much-enjoyed Auto setting. The fog lamp switch is spring-loaded, which shuts down the lamps when the key is removed, waiting for the driver to engage them as needed. Wiper intermittency occurs for front and rear glass. The Driver Information Centre includes such features as by-the-tire pressure monitoring, digital speedometer read-out, and average fuel economy stats.
The centre stack controls are formal beyond the expectations of a Chevy bowtie. Fitment and feel is on par with import brands. The HVAC switch bank provides Auto climate, in a single zone configuration. Note the central locking controls above the HVAC, which includes an electronic engagement for the rear child locks. The driver’s door pod holds the exterior heated breakaway mirror-positioning toggle pad, and express-down windows for front and rear.
   2010 Chevrolet Equinox. Click image to enlarge |
Thirsty? Equinox has got you covered, starting with front and rear door bottle holders in the door pockets. The front console holder uses familiar rubber bladder cinchers, while the festival of your libation is backlit by LEDs, an ethereal glow that almost makes up for the three dollars you just spent on two cups of water. The bladder system re-appears for the rear centre armrest cupholder. The front armrest reveals a laptop-savvy cavity, with 12-volt DC powerpoint, and USB dock. Note to all manufacturers that are heck-bent on laptop storage; include a cushion system to keep it from rattling about. An upper tray is a handy storage point for the rear DVD entertainment system remote, which incorporates two flip-up screens on the front seatbacks.
The Cool Factor is the ability for separate video inputs to occur per screen, such as Junior gaming, and Sis watching something about travel pants. The Uncool Factor is the headphones jammed into the mesh seatback pockets. Below the HVAC controls is an open storage gully, with 12-volt DC powerpoint. The non-locking glovebox is respectfully sized. A storage pocket resides on the front passenger side of the centre console. Up top, a dash-mount flip-top cubby reveals a removable rubberized bed of red. In fact, all of the rubbery beds are red in this LTZ. Must make it go faster.
