2013 Chevrolet Equinox

CHANGES FOR 2013:

- 3.6L V6 replaces 3.0L V6; more power with same fuel consumption.

- Chevrolet MyLink with Navigation available.

- FE2 suspension package available with V6 model.

- Eight-way power front passenger seat available.

- Universal home remote available.

- Rear-seat entertainment system available.

- Safety package that includes forward collision alert, lane departure warning and rear park assist added.

- Convenience package that includes a new eight-way power passenger seat, universal home remote and power-assisted programmable liftgate added.

- Paint changes: Champagne Silver Metallic (late availability), Atlantis Metallic and Tungsten Metallic added.

Chevrolet's popular compact crossover drops its optional 3.0L V6 engine in favour of a stronger 3.6L motor that boasts the same fuel consumption ratings. The Equinox also catches up to the safety zeitgeist, a new safety package that bundles collision alert, lane departure warning and rear parking assist. The Equinox is big for the compact class, and a rear seat that slides fore and aft lends its interior a level of flexibility missing in many of its rivals. In our experience, the Equinox has a hard time living up to its impressive fuel economy ratings, and four-cylinder models tend to feel underpowered.

The Equinox comes with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 3.6-litre V6. Both include direct injection and both use a six-speed automatic transmission.

The LS trim line uses the 2.4L engine exclusively. The 1LT, 2LT and LTZ use the four-cylinder but can be optioned with the V6. All models are available in front- or all-wheel drive.

Features on the LS include 2.4L DOHC I-4 ECOTEC VVT engine, six-speed automatic transmission, airbags (front, front seat, side curtain), power locks, OnStar, content theft alarm, theft-deterrent system, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive optional), body-colour door handles, automatic light control, power mirrors with integrated blind spot mirror, 17-inch aluminum wheels, manual air conditioning, cruise control, floor mats, driver information centre, exterior temp display, map lights, power locks, remote keyless entry, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with Bluetooth, cruise, and audio controls, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, power windows with express-down for all windows, 4-way power driver seat, 2-way manual front passenger seat, cloth seating, rear seat centre armrest, 60/40 split/fold Multi-Flex sliding rear seats with 3-position recline, and six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with auxiliary input and USB port.

1LT trim adds fog lights, deep-tinted rear glass, heated body-colour mirrors, backup camera, roof rack, automatic climate control, compass, leather-wrapped steering wheel, premium cloth seating, Chevrolet MyLink with 7-inch screen, and satellite radio.

2LT trim adds remote starter, TPMS, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated front seats, power 8-way driver seat, and eight-speaker Pioneer audio.

LTZ trim adds chrome door handles, chrome skid plates, projector style headlights, chrome side mirrors, power liftgate, roof rack with crossbars and chrome accents, Ultrasonic rear parking assist, cargo area security shade, cargo net, lane departure warning, forward collision alert, universal home remote, and perforated leather seating.