Sometimes, you hop in a vehicle and you're surprised, especially if the last time you drove it, you really weren't all that impressed.
When we got ahold of the 2012 Chevrolet Equinox, our expectations weren't all that high, frankly. To wit, when a colleague asked us what the test drive vehicle of the week was, and we replied Equinox, he said, "Oh, I'm sorry."
Ouch.
But lo and behold, this crossover SUV turned out to be pretty good.
You can get it in front- or all-wheel drive and it has three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ.
It offers pretty good fuel economy and a reasonable price tag.
The standard engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 182 horsepower. You can opt for a 3.0-liter, V-6 that makes 264 horsepower. The transmission is a six-speed automatic. Chevy says the four-cylinder engine produces 172 pounds-feet of torque and has a towing capacity of 1500 pounds and the V-6 produces 222 pounds-feet of torque and can tow up to 3500 pounds, when equipped with the dealer-installed trailer equipment package.
The front-wheel drive Equinox gets gas mileage of 22 mpg city, 32 highway with the four-cylinder and 15 and 22 with the V-6. If you get all-wheel-drive, you get 20 and 29 with the four-banger and 12 and 17 with the six.
The Equinox is surprisingly pleasant inside. The seating for five is comfortable and fairly roomy.
On the outside, the Equinox has a pretty cool style, not at all like a suburban soccer mom-mobile. Its angular lines make it look rather sporty.
The Equinox is priced from around $24,000 to about $32,000.
This vehicle is a very nice family hauler that gives versatility, functionality and a surprising amount of style.
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