It’s a full redesign for the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox utility vehicle. Equinox is the brand’s second best selling vehicle; the Silverado truck is the top seller. With that pedigree in play, improvement was the redesign mantra with weight reduction a major focus. Equinox’s body structure, comprised of high-grade and high strength steels, is 400 pounds lighter than the predecessor. During a week-long test drive, Equinox showcased dynamic handling and that agility is due in large part to the vehicle’s 10-percent drop in weight. Equinox also struts with a 37.4-foot turning circle, nearly 3-feet better than the prior model.

The 2018 Equinox offers Chevy’s first all-turbocharged engine line-up: 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder; 1.6-liter turbo diesel 4-cylinder; and 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder. (The 2017 Equinox offered a 182 hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, or a 301 hp 3.6-liter V6 engine.) Test driven Equinox’s 2.0-liter engine produces 252 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 260 pounds-feet of torque from 2500-4500 rpm. Engine mates with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The 2018 model’s available safety features include forward collision alert with following distance indicator. The 107.3-inch wheelbase Equinox has 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space with second row seat upright/63.5 cubic feet with seat folded flat. Test driven FWD Equinox Premier’s base MSRP is $33,585 with estimated mpg of 22 city/29 highway.