2010 San Diego Eqinox: Going Green

The 2010 Equinox: Going Green with the Push of a Button

Chevys crossover boasts earth-friendly engines and even an ECO Button.
Competing in the popular crossover class, the Equinox stands out for all the right reasons. With two new engines that get phenomenal fuel efficiency, Chevy?s all-new Equinox is both environmentally sound and reasonably priced.

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is a compact crossover that seats five people comfortably. It is available in either front- or all-wheel drive whether you choose the base LS, mid-level LT or high-end LTZ trim. The newest Equinox offers two different engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder. The 2.4-liter with 182 hp offers as much horsepower as the 2009 Equinox?s 3.4-liter V6. The other engine, the 3.0-liter V6, is good for 264 hp and 214 lb/ft of torque ? enough power to keep up with bigger SUVs.

The 2010 Equinox has a base MSRP of $23,185 ? truly incredible for its power, style and fuel efficiency. Thanks to the 2.4-liter?s direct-injection, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine with variable valve timing, Chevy promises an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. As Motor Trend explains, ?Letting liquid fuel evaporate inside the hot cylinder cools the charge considerably, permitting an impressive 11.7:1 compression ratio with no knock on regular fuel. That high compression combines with more complete fuel burn to lower hydrocarbon emissions, improve power and reduce fuel consumption.

Even the Equinox?s 3.0-liter V6 steps up to the plate when it comes to fuel efficiency. With an estimated 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway rating, Chevy doesn?t stop there: an ECO button on the dash will remap the transmission shift, so fuel is shut off more accurately when coasting.
Chevy debuts a significantly upgraded, stylish interior in the redesigned 2010 Equinox. Drivers can choose their color scheme with pairing options of brownstone, gray, tan and black. AutomobileMag.com notes that the 2010 Equinox is classy, yet functional. ?The rest of the interior is quite nice, and there is a variety of optional equipment to keep passengers happy. A plethora of storage options includes a large glovebox, a center bin large enough to conceal a laptop and enough cupholders for the family. There's also elegant blue ambient lighting, which looks very upscale in the dark.

This newest Equinox comes with useful perks like Bluetooth connectivity and USB audio support. Also available are a DVD entertainment system, rearview camera and a programmable hydraulic liftgate. Another bonus is Chevy?s OnStar feature with turn-by-turn navigation, automatic crash response, hands-free calling and stolen vehicle assistance.

This Equinox doesn?t skimp on safety either; it is well equipped with brake assist, traction control, StabiliTrak and front and side airbags. While safety tests are still underway for 2010, Chevy expects the same results as its 2009 models, which earned five stars from the federal government for both driver and passenger safety in frontal crash tests and a top score of ?Good? in frontal offset tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The last Equinox also scored four stars in front- and rear-seat side crash tests. U.S. News & World Report notes that the Equinox?s LATCH devices are a major advantage and can accommodate three children?s car seats safely in the rear seat.

Jalopnik.com raves that the 2010 Equinox is unbeatable in its class with ?better interior, better styling, better engines, better transmissions and smarter features.? The Equinox is a practical alternative for those who want to be both earth- and budget-friendly, but don?t want the added expense of a hybrid. Whether you need to pack in the whole family or if you usually cruise solo, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is a forward-thinking winner, inside and out. Give us a call today and arrange a test drive.

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