2014 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox is available for $24,440. With the four available trim options, you have an optional AWD system, while the top-end LTZ trim gets an optional 301 hp V6 powertrain. With a pleasing and spacious cabin, the Equinox is known for its comfort and ride quality. It rivals the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, and the Ford Escape.

For 2014, you get four trim levels to choose from with the Chevrolet Equinox. You have a mildly equipped base trim that will suit your budget profile. The 1LT and 2LT trims bring certain premium features with better tech and connectivity. On the top end LTZ trim, you will get more performance from the V6, advanced safety, lavish interiors, and a premium exterior trimmed with chrome.

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The 1LT trim makes the most sense in the Equinox lineup. It is offered for $26,085 where you get much better features than the base LS trim. The package adds heated side mirrors, a 7-inch touchscreen display, roof rails with luggage racks, a leather steering wheel, and a rearview mirror. You can even avail of the AWD at an extra cost of $2,750.

Under the hood, you have a 2.4L DOHC engine with flex-fuel capabilities. Don't let the 182 hp power fool you as it won't give you the thrill Chevrolet is known for. Still, we have a good enough torque output of 172lb-ft. The optional 3.6L V6 engine will satisfy you with its higher 301 hp of peak power and 272 lb-ft of torque. However, it is exclusive to the top trim. Both engines power the front wheels with their 6-Speed automatic transmission. The base engine sprints from 0-60 MPH in 8.7 seconds and reaches a quarter-mile within 16.5 seconds. The V6 does it in just 7.2 seconds and takes 14.8 seconds to cover a quarter-mile run.

All the SUVs come standard with 4 cylinder engines and FWD drivetrains. You can avail of AWD on all SUVs. The Chevrolet Equinox gets the most powerful 4 cylinder engine in its segment with 182 hp of power. However, its weight comes in its way to being the fastest SUV. The Mazda CX-5 ties with the Equinox with similar performance figures in the 0-60 MPH sprint. After the Equinox, the Ford Escape gets a decent amount of power, which makes it the fastest SUV. Even the Hyundai Tucson is slightly faster than the Chevrolet Equinox, however, the margin isn't that much because Equinox is more powerful.

With its average performance, the 4 cylinder engine has fair enough gas mileage. You get 22 MPG in the city, 32 MPG on the highway, and a combined 26 MPG. To keep you away from the gas stations for longer, it has a massive 18.8-gallon fuel tank, which helps it deliver 601 miles of range on highways. The V6 on the Equinox won't take you far as the economy is limited to 17 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway where you get a combined 21 MPG. Again, thanks to its huge fuel capacity that pushes it beyond 450 miles on the highway. The AWD system marginally affects the fuel economy of both engines.

In its segment, the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox might not be the best performer. Still, it has a better fuel economy than the Ford Escape and the Hyundai Tucson. With its SkyActiv technology, the Mazda CX-5 is the best in terms of gas mileage. However, the Equinox deals with the problem with its huge fuel tank that crosses 600 miles of range on the highway which is unmatchable.

Like most of the Chevrolets, the Equinox also offers a pleasing cabin. The sporty layout is mixed with premium materials and a modern design. The cabin seems huge with those spacious seats that will ensure the comfort of up to 5 passengers. With multiple colors and themes, you can even avail a cashmere interior with the top LTZ trim. The slant dashboard is finished in a dual-tone design to match the upholstery. Similarly, we have sliding air ducts and numerous controls placed at the center. You have dual boxy gauges as an instrument cluster and driver information display. The 4-spoke vinyl steering isn't as responsive as it seems.

When it comes to seating, the 2014 Equinox is all you want. You get cloth-wrapped seats in the base trim with power lumbar and height adjustments for the driver seat. With the Convenience package, both the front seats offer 8-way power adjustment and heating function. You have a 60/40 split and slide bench seat with a foldable seatback and 3-way recline function. You also have premium cloth and perforated leather upholstery. The convenience gets better with each trim level. As standard, you also get cruise control, tilt and telescopic steering, front and rear armrests with cup holders, a rearview camera, automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and driver memory settings.

The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox is the perfect SUV with proper seating space in both rows. The seats aren't much wide, still, you have decent headroom and legroom. The Mazda CX-5 gives close competition to Equinox with its interior design and quality. With its extraordinary first-row legroom, the Ford Escape is lacking in rear-seat space. The massive boot of the Chevrolet Equinox has plenty of room for you behind its rear seat. The 31.5 cubic feet of standard cargo space gets bigger when the bench seat is folded down. It expands the cargo capacity to 63.7 cubic feet. Standout interior features include:

• Cashmere interior
• Vinyl/leather steering wheel
• Heated 8-way power seats
• Cruise control
• Automatic climate control
• Rearview camera

How intuitive is the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox's infotainment unit?

The Equinox gets a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen on all the trims except for the base LS. It is powered by a Chevrolet MyLink radio where you get an AM/FM radio, MP3 player, and a CD player. With that, you have Bluetooth audio streaming as well as a hands-free link for device integration. On top of that, you have a USB and input jack for audio.

SiriusXM radio is available with a 3-month subscription, and it comes with 6 standard speakers placed on the doors and tweeters in the A-pillars. You can even avail yourself of an 8-speaker Pioneer audio system for a surround sound experience (standard with the 2LT and LTZ trims). The top trims offer a Chevrolet Mylink satellite navigation system as standard. Standout infotainment features include:

• 7.0-inch touchscreen display
• AM/FM radio
• CD player
• Bluetooth audio and hands-free link
• SiriusXM radio
• Pioneer speakers
• Chevrolet Mylink satellite navigation

Being a mid-size crossover SUV, the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox is quite massive. The second-generation Equinox is a better upgrade from the previous generation as you get better styling and dynamics. Chevrolet has updated the Equinox with curvy design lines, and it now looks more modern. The base trim is available in 7 color options, where the higher trims get 11 color options. The 1LT and above trims get chrome exterior accents. The front fascia was updated last year with new headlamps and optional fog lamps. There's also a huge front bumper that houses a chrome surround mesh grille with the Chevrolet logo.

The black exterior accents give it a sporty appearance we crave for. Moreover, the Chevrolet Equinox has the biggest wheel arches in the whole segment as they are visible from every angle. The larger rear doors ensure easy ingress and egress. If touring is your thing, you can opt for roof rails and luggage racks as well. From the rear, the Equinox is still a boxy SUV, but it does look classy with blackened pillars, a clean liftgate, and corner-mounted tail lamps. The LT and LTZ trims look better with a silver rear diffuser and dual chrome tip exhausts. It sits on 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels as standard, while you get optional 18-inch chrome-clad wheels.

The Chevrolet Equinox is the biggest SUV as compared to its rivals. It is 8 to 9 inches longer than its rivals with a significantly longer wheelbase too. It has a muscular stance with those wheel arches which makes it wider than any other SUV. Even with low ground clearance, it's taller than its rivals. When comparing the curb weight, Chevrolet is the heaviest option in the competition. Standout exterior features include:

• Chrome surround grille
• Massive wheel arches
• 18-inch chrome-clad wheels
• Roof rails
• Black and chrome exterior accents

The 2014 Chevrolet Equinox has a unibody structure mostly created with high-strength steel. The structure offers enhanced integrity and balance to the ride. It still sits on the Theta platform, but now it offers better rigidity. With such safety, it is the 'Top Safety Pick+' for 2014 by the IIHS. However, it scored just 4 stars in the NHTSA safety tests.

The passive safety features available are top-notch as well. The Equinox has 6 standard airbags with a passenger sensing system and 3-point seat belts with pretensioners as well. The standout safety features include brake assistance and tire pressure monitoring. The advanced safety package adds forward collision warning and lane departure warning over the standard features. Standout safety features include:

• High-strength steel structure
• 6 standard airbags
• Brake assistance
• Forward collision warning
• Lane departure warning

The Equinox is a popular SUV in its segment. Last year, Chevrolet recorded the highest ever sales of Equinox as it is the only SUV in its price range that offers two engine options. All the trims offer all sorts of convenience and comfort features to keep you relaxed. The past few years have brought several changes to Equinox which have made it more appealing. However, its bulky design makes it bigger than its rivals and also affects its performance to an extent. But for the price, there are hardly any rivals that can come close to the Equinox, and that's the reason why it's one of the brand's best sellers.