Because the Equinox is selling better than ever, GM decided to refresh the car slightly for 2017 instead of offering an entirely new model. However, this is not going to work for much longer and because of that, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox will most likely be the new car everyone was expecting. Currently, the Equinox is one of the latest cars in its class and also one of the heaviest. Its driving characteristics are quite poor, the comfort is barely average and it uses aging engines. All of these are about to change for the new generation of the car.
Review
For starters, the new model will be based on an entirely new platform which it will share with the new XT5. The C1XX platform which debuted on the Cadillac is made mostly out of high-strength steel as well as some aluminum. This should allow the Equinox to shave more than 600 pounds from its total weight. This would bring it in line with the rest of the cars in its class. While the XT5 is quite large, the new Equinox is expected to get slightly smaller. This is because its class doesn’t really have room for such a big model.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox Release date
The new 2018 version of the Equinox will most likely hit the market closer to the end of 2016 or even early next year, which is closer than we first thought. This is because GM wants the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox as soon as possible on the market. The crossover market is continuously expanding and GM has some of the best selling models. The new one should be better in pretty much every way. Also, while it will be shorter, slightly lower and possibly wider, the new car should also offer more space inside the cabin. This will be achieved by moving the engine forward and giving the passengers more legroom. The floor might also drop slightly which would also improve the headroom considerably.
design: interior and exterior
With the new platform, a new design, inside and out, is going to follow. Some cues from the ongoing generation might be kept for the new car. Many said that the new Equinox would borrow the design of the rear glasshouse. This would allow people easily recognize it and it should be a nice way of keeping the first model alive. Also, inside the cabin, the upcoming version should share a lot in common with the Malibu.
The two will share the seats, likely the design of the dashboard as well as the materials considering their class. However, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox should also add wireless charging, 4G LTE and Android Auto and Apple’s CarPlay, all as standard.
engine
There are currently two different engines available on the car. The new one should be not that different here. However, instead of the old 2.4 liters naturally aspirated mill, we could get a 1.5 liter turbocharged inline 4 unit. This should be capable of 180 horsepower and around 190 lb-ft of torque which is more than before. The engine should also be more efficient and with the lower total weight, a lot more lively. The top end version of the Equinox will most definitely continue to use the same 3.6 liters naturally aspirated V6 as before. However, it may receive a slightly updated version of it. This might get close to 320 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque which is considerably more than before. In any case, an automatic gearbox will be offered as standard, most likely GM’s upcoming 9-speed transmission. Unfortunately, the optional all-wheel drive system will be quite basic. This won’t offer any type of torque vectoring or lockable differentials but it will provide a way to better control the traction which is still fine at its price point.
Photo source: caranddriver.com
2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Summary
With the new platform, a new design, inside and out, is going to follow. Some cues from the ongoing generation might be kept for the new car. Many said that the new Equinox would borrow the design of the rear glasshouse. This would allow people easily recognize it and it should be a nice way of keeping the first model alive. Also, inside the cabin, the upcoming version should share a lot in common with the Malibu.
Price: $23,995
