— There's a weird thing about car guys like me.
We like power, almost to the point of absurdity. We want to know all
the details about horsepower, torque, displacement and how many
cylinders are under the hood. If an engine makes lots of noise, that's
even better.
cylinders are under the hood. If an engine makes lots of noise, that's
even better.
It's no surprise, then, that the last time I drove a Chevy Equinox, I
was giddy about the fact that it came with a 301-horsepower V6 engine.
More horsepower equals more happiness. That's how the car-guy brain works.
This week, though, I drove a different Equinox that came with the
standard, 2.4-liter engine that makes 182 horsepower.
And I felt like the only person on Planet Earth who would have been
disappointed.
Not a single person who saw the Equinox asked about how much power it
made or whether it came with the monster V6 that's a new offering this
year. Everybody I talked with did ask the same question, though: "What
kind of gas mileage does it get?"
made or whether it came with the monster V6 that's a new offering this
year. Everybody I talked with did ask the same question, though: "What
kind of gas mileage does it get?"
The answer is 32 mpg on the highway, which isn't that much worse than
a four-cylinder Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. They're both rated at
roughly 35 mpg.
a four-cylinder Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. They're both rated at
roughly 35 mpg.
Considering how much bigger the Equinox feels compared t geo a four-door
sedan, that's absolutely remarkable. It has two rows of spacious
seating, lots of leg and shoulder room, a high, king-of-the-road
driving position, and an SUV-style cargo area in back. Why it doesn't
get gas mileage in the 20s is a mystery.
sedan, that's absolutely remarkable. It has two rows of spacious
seating, lots of leg and shoulder room, a high, king-of-the-road
driving position, and an SUV-style cargo area in back. Why it doesn't
get gas mileage in the 20s is a mystery.
Well, not quite. The base Ecotec engine was designed primarily to get
good fuel economy using direct injection and variable valve timing —
the current benchmarks for what constitutes a modern engine in this
class.
good fuel economy using direct injection and variable valve timing —
the current benchmarks for what constitutes a modern engine in this
class.
It also helps that the engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic
transmission that's programmed to shift at the right time for optimum
gas mileage with a special "Eco" mode.
transmission that's programmed to shift at the right time for optimum
gas mileage with a special "Eco" mode.
While I realize this may put me on Greenpeace's blacklist, I still
prefer the 301-horsepower engine over the four-cylinder base model.
Yes, the V6 is a $1,500 option on the higher end trim packages. And
yes, it drops the gas mileage all the way down to 24 mpg on the
highway and 17 mpg in city driving.
prefer the 301-horsepower engine over the four-cylinder base model.
Yes, the V6 is a $1,500 option on the higher end trim packages. And
yes, it drops the gas mileage all the way down to 24 mpg on the
highway and 17 mpg in city driving.
But it's powerful! It brings out the caveman side of me.
For those who have more brain cells than I do — virtually everyone, I
suspect — the base engine makes a lot more sense because it's going to
save you a ton of money.
For those who have more brain cells than I do — virtually everyone, I
suspect — the base engine makes a lot more sense because it's going to
save you a ton of money.
Either way, you'll have a strong contender. With the 301-horsepower
version, you'll have one of the most fun-to-accelerate family vehicles
on the road. And with the 182-horsepower version, you'll have a
crossover that's wonderfully efficient and logical.
version, you'll have one of the most fun-to-accelerate family vehicles
on the road. And with the 182-horsepower version, you'll have a
crossover that's wonderfully efficient and logical.
---
Deewk Price is an automotive columnist for CNHI News Service. Contact him at carcolumn@gmail.com.
x x x x
INFO BOX:
RATINGS
Style: 7
Performance: 6
Price: 8
Handling: 8
Ride: 8
Comfort: 9
Quality: 9
Overall: 8
What was tested?
2013 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LTZ ($30,515). Options: 18-inch chrome
wheels ($1,000), MyLink radio with navigation ($795), paint upgrade
($325). Price as tested (including $825 destination charge): $33,460
Why buy it?
Its efficient four-cylinder engine helps it get gas mileage comparable
to mid-size sedans. It's a solid, practical, proven crossover.
Why hesitate?
The 301-horsepower V6 engine is a whole lot more fun, but it hurts the
gas mileage dramatically.
