2009 Chevrolet Equinox Review

Chevrolet Equinox Introduction :

The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox priced at MSRP: $24,315 – $31,440 is one of the most popular crossover SUV. This Chevy model is available in the right size which is neither too big nor too small and offers the comfort that a traveler would desire. It is a mid size SUV car which can comfortably seat five passengers.

Chevrolet Equinox Body Style :

The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox has been styled like its older sibling. There are only a few changes that have been made to its older version; however the body is handsomely styled with body colored trims and fascias. The angular body style and the big gold bowtie badges on the front and rear enhances the exterior appearance.

The interiors of this Chevrolet car are quite standard and designed with a blend of too many colors and contrasts which lacks sophistication. The controls are satisfactorily placed and gauges are easy to read. The interiors are designed with cloth upholstery, and gauges are surrounded by faux aluminum accents which are not very appealing to the eye.

Chevrolet Equinox Features :

The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox model is well equipped with a galore of standard features. In addition to these features they have abundance of optional features available to satisfy the taste buds of tech frenzy. The standard features included in all the models are 16 inch aluminum wheels that are constantly checked by an automatic tire pressure monitor, keyless entry, power accessories, cruise control, a tilt able steering column, a flat folding front passenger seat, sliding split folding rear seat, automatic headlights, a driver information center ,air conditioning, multi tier cargo storage system, and a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with CD player and auxiliary input. The sports model comes with a larger V6, a sport tuned suspensions, 18 inch aluminum wheels, sport tuned suspension, and a special exterior trim.

There are various options available for all those buyers who wish to buy a high tech car like heated front seats, 17 inch aluminum wheels, leather upholstery, moon roof, CD player with steering wheel mounted audio controls, XM satellite radio, and a rear seat entertainment system.

Chevrolet Equinox Performance :

The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox is equipped with a 3.4-liter V6 engine that makes 185 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque, which is designed similar to the 1990 model. Even though it is outfitted with a five speed automatic transmission it lacks power and excitement.  This model is available in front wheel drive or all wheel drive if specified. This model makes a lot of noise when it passes in high speed which is not very impressive.

The 2009 sport model is an enthusiastic performer equipped with a 3.4-liter V6 engine that makes 185 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque, which is one of the most powerful engines for this class. They are available in front and all wheel drive and are capable of accelerating from zero to 60mph in 7 seconds.

The independent suspensions offer a satisfying balance between competent handling and comfort while traveling and hence it can be easily used for travel to long distances.  We found that the power steering which were outfitted were not very smooth to operate.

This model offers a good fuel economy on both its trim levels.  The all wheel drive sports model offers 16 mpg city levels, 24 mpg on highways and 20 mpg combined, while the base engine offered 17 mpg city levels and 24 mpg on highways.

The Chevrolet Equinox is definitely a boon for people who live in snowy areas as the standard and the sports trim can be purchased with all wheel drive.  The automotivecraze team evaluated that the sport version is a better performer in comparison to its base model.

Chevrolet Equinox Quality :

The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox is highly spacious and offers comfortable stretch out room for the front as well as the rear rows. There is plenty of head room and leg space which makes it comfortable even for taller passengers. The rear seats are on a sliding track which moves forward and backward up to 8 inches. The  right front seat folds flat to form a table while the rear seats fold forward in 60/40 split which makes larger space to hold cargo. The cargo shelf is adjustable and can be used as a table and a security cover; this folding option will be well appreciated who wish to use their vehicles for outings or picnics. The inner cabin also has many storage compartments which becomes very handy while traveling to long distances.

The interiors are designed using too many contrasts and colors which lack sophistication.  The quality of materials that were used inside the cabin was also found to be sub par and does not match the levels of its competitors. Noise was another major problem which was noted on highway speeds.

Chevrolet Equinox Safety :

The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox offers numerous safety features and makes this as one of the safest model to travel. The standard features that are included in this model are full length head curtain airbags, antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control and OnStar.

During the various crash tests that were conducted to check the efficiency of this model it was seen that Equinox earned complete five stars in frontal and side impact tests.

The only drawback that we noted among the safety features were thick pillars obscure the vision while driving which may result in accidents. Overall this model is very safe and all passengers can travel with a peace of mind.

Conclusion
The 2009 Chevrolet Equinox is a true SUV car that is very comfortable and safe to travel. The main highlights of this car are they are available in AWD, it is very roomy and offers comfortable seating, and it performed stunningly in the various crash tests. The main drawback that we noted were the interiors used in the cabin were sub par, power steering was not found to be very smooth.

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