2019 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LT

By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos GM Media
For 2019, Chevrolet Equinox offers a fresh and modern compact SUV featuring an expressive design, ample cargo space, Chevrolet’s latest connectivity, and an expanded roster of available safety features.

Design
The Equinox’s expressive exterior has a lean, muscular skin echoing the global Chevrolet design cues and sculpted shapes seen in the Volt, Malibu and Cruze. Extensive aero development in the wind tunnel influenced the sleek shape.

It is a richer, more detailed design featuring chrome trim on all models and Malibu-inspired styling. Projector-beam headlamps are standard, along with LED daytime running lamps. At the rear, horizontal taillamps emphasize the Equinox’s wide stance, while up-level models feature LED taillamps.

The Equinox’s overall length was reduced by 4.7 inches from previous models to further right-size the vehicle for customers, making it easier to park and maneuver. Despite the smaller exterior dimensions, interior volume increased by 3.5 cubic feet.

The interior takes advantage of the Equinox’s architecture to offer a down-and-away instrument panel, while a low windshield base provides a commanding outward view. In addition, elements such as available denim-style seat fabric blend high style with high-durability, while a kneeling rear seat enhances functionality. With it, the bottom cushions tilt forward when the split-folding seatbacks are lowered, allowing a flat floor for easier loading.

The 2019 Equinox offers purposeful technology, helping to keep passengers safe, comfortable and connected; Chevrolet’s latest connectivity technologies are front and center, including 7- and 8-inch-diagonal MyLink infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as an available OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot.

Safety
The Equinox offers a comprehensive suite of available active safety technologies and adaptive crash-avoidance features that provide ease of use and peace of mind on the road.

Available advanced active safety features to enhance driver awareness on the road include radar and camera based adaptive technologies that can provide alerts to potential crash threats, allowing the driver to react and make changes to avoid them.

Purposeful technologies are designed to help keep passengers safe, comfortable and connected. Teen Driver is also offered, along with new safety features including Safety Alert Seat, Surround Vision, Forward Collison Alert with Following Distance Indicator and more.

New for 2019
Lights and Bright package available on 1LT trim. Content includes 19-inch bright-machined wheels with Sparkle Silver pockets, LED headlamps, LED taillamps, chrome grille surround and molded assist steps.
LS Convenience and LT Appearance packages available.
7-inch or 8-inch-diagonal color touchscreen radios; 8-inch system with navigation is available. The 8-inch systems feature HD touchscreens.
Four USB data ports are standard. Two additional USB ports, an SD card reader and auxiliary input jack are available.
Standard Rear Vision Camera upgraded to HD view.
Available Surround Vision upgraded to HD view.
Front Pedestrian Braking (available on Premier trim).
Adaptive Cruise Control (available on Premier trim).
Exterior colors: Pacific Blue Metallic and Kinetic Blue Metallic.

Performance
A range of three turbocharged engines, including a turbo-diesel engine that provides customers more choices when it comes to performance, efficiency and capability in the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox.

1.5L turbo offers excellent fuel economy
The 2019 Equinox’s 1.5L turbo offers an EPA-estimated 32 mpg highway (FWD). It is SAE-certified at 170 hp (127 kW) and is part of GM’s family of Ecotec small-displacement engines, featuring direct injection.

2.0L turbo raises the performance bar
An available 2.0L turbo offers a higher degree of performance, SAE-certified 252 hp (188 kW) and a wide torque band, for strong pulling power and acceleration. It also offers an EPA-estimated 29 mpg on the highway (FWD).

Ninety percent of the engine’s peak torque is available from 2,000 rpm to 5,600 rpm, along with maximum torque from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. That strong, sustained torque production helps the new Equinox offer a 3,500-pound (1,585 kg) max trailering capacity.

1.6L turbo-diesel: max efficiency and capability
The 2019 Equinox is slated to be the only competitor in the North American segment with a diesel choice for customers seeking the ultimate in fuel economy and SUV capability, the 1.6L turbo-diesel output is SAE-certified at 137 hp (102 kW) at 3,500-4,000 rpm and 240 lb.-ft. of torque (325 Nm) at 2,000 rpm. A variable-geometry turbocharger helps generate a broad torque band that makes the engine very responsive at low rpm. It also features stop/start technology and is one of the industry’s most refined diesels.

The 1.6 turbo-diesel and the 2.0L Turbo engines are paired with GM’s 9T50 nine-speed automatic transmission, which features a higher 7.6:1 overall ratio to enhance efficiency and smaller steps between the gears, compared to six-speed designs, to enhance refinement.

Summary
The Equinox is the first Chevrolet model in North America to use an all-turbocharged, multi-engine powertrain lineup. That includes the segment-exclusive 1.6L turbo-diesel that will offer customers excellent efficiency and capability. It is an all-new SUV from the ground up and one that takes on the industry’s biggest competitors with a stronger architecture, greater efficiency and more technology.

The Estimated fuel economy is rated at 22 mpg City and 29 mpg Highway with the 2.0L Turbo 4-Cylinder engine. Manufacturer’s suggested starting retail price starts at 29,600.00, for the 2019 Chevrolet Equinox FWD LT 2.0T, the one I drove included Confident & Convenience Package $1,945.00 (Leather Wrapped Shift Lever, Power Rear Liftgate, Remote Vehicle Start, Front Driver and Passenger Heated Seats, Dual Zone Air Conditioning / Auto Climate Control, Universal Home Remote, Leather Wrap Steering Wheel, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Park Assist and Heated Body Color Power Adjustable Mirrors), Redline Edition $1,750.00 (19 Inch Redline Aluminum Wheels, Redline Grille, Black Metallic Mirror Caps, Black Bow Ties Emblems, Chevrolet Infotainment System 8 Inch Diagonal Color Touchscreen, 120 Volt Power Outlet), and the Iridescent Pearl Tricoat Exterior Paint $995.00, and it came in at $35,285.00 including destination charge $945.00.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com

Posted in CAR REVIEWS, Chevrolet.

Emilio Lezcano

Journalist - Editor - Photographer
Professional Race Car Driver

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