- suv 185,216
- 1,604 below average
- 3,995 great
- Lakeland, FL
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,604 below average suv 185,216 gasoline grey automatic
2006 chevrolet equinox review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. It's bigger than each of them (including the all-new 2006 rav4). Equinox is big enough that its dimensions blur the line between compact and midsize sport utilities. It's nearly 14 inches longer than the ford escape and just three inches shorter than a chevy trailblazer. as a result, the equinox is roomier than other compact suvs, and has features that enhance its versatility. The back seats are mounted on tracks and slide fore and aft. Slide the seats rearward for more rear legroom. The rear seatbacks also recline for additional comfort. However, equinox only seats five because it does not offer a hopelessly cramped third row as the new rav4 does. it long wheelbase gives the equinox good stability and ride quality. Like the cr-v, rav4, and escape, equinox is based on a passenger car design. equinox was launched as a 2005 model so there aren't any major changes for 2006. However, the 2006 models do come standard with anti-lock brakes, cruise control, and other features, which wasn't the case last year. Also, interior changes have been made for 2006 to improve the appearance and function of the cabin. Both are available with front-wheel drive (fwd) or all-wheel drive (awd). Equinox comes standard with a 3. 4-liter v6 and five-speed automatic transmission. The 2006 equinox ls packs more standard equipment than last year, and the lt level has been split into two sub-levels called lt1 and lt2. equinox ls fwd 21,755) and awd 23,505) come with air conditioning; cruise control; cloth upholstery; a fold-flat front passenger seat; a multi-flex 60/40 split rear bench seat that folds, slides, and reclines; six-speaker am/fm/cd audio; and power windows, mirrors, and locks with remote keyless entry. Bumpers are body-color for 2006. Ls fwd comes standard with traction control. lt1 fwd 23,050) and awd 24,675) add fog lights, carpeted floor mats, deep tinted glass, and 16-inch aluminum wheels. Mirrors, door handles, and roof-rack side rails are body-color rather than charcoal or black. Sound system options expand considerably at the lt1 level, and include a six-speaker am/fm/cd/mp3 unit with rds 135); a similar unit incorporating a six-cd changer 395); and digital audio with xm satellite radio 325). Also available: a tilt-and-slide sunroof 595) and luggage rack cross-bars 95). lt2 fwd 24,180) and awd 25,805) add an auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with an eight-point compass and outside temperature display, leather-wrapped steering wheel with redundant audio controls, and 17-inch aluminum wheels. Side-impact and head-curtain airbags are optional 395) offering torso protection and head protection in the event of a side impact or rollover. But its side-view shape is quite a bit different from the rest of the family, and we like it. the roof pillars and the sheetmetal above the windows but below the roof seem to be extra-thick, imparting a feeling of extra solidity and strength, important for a truck made on a car platform. It's a sound that no other chevrolet truck makes. the equinox look solidly planted on its wheels. Its bigger size is evident everywhere. Up front, equinox carries flexible net storage pockets on both sides of the center tunnel. The center console/armrest has a small storage cubby and a coin holder for toll money. Dual cupholders pop out of the end of it, but they're flimsy and get in the way of the handbrake. The armrest flips up, providing better access to an open floor console that's a perfect place for a purse, briefcase or tote bag. Improvements for '06 include new knobs for climate control (and a claim of improved performance), and better integration of the passenger-side airbag cover. Down on the console, the t-handle shifter on the '05 models has given way to a more conventional shift lever for '06. Seat heaters are now available with cloth as well as leather seats, and the seat-heating controls of been re-located to the instrument panel. the rear seat rides on a track that allows it to slide back and forth by up to eight inches, to bring kids or briefcases closer to the front, or to provide extra legroom for tall second-row passengers. Gm calls this innovative feature the multi-flex rear seat. Rear passengers also enjoy a 12-volt power outlet and dual slide-out cupholders. Rear head restraints have been down-sized slightly for '06, improving rearward visibility for the driver. gm's designers have used the space above the wheel wells to a handy cargo storage system. A lightweight reversible panel slides into slots on the equinox's wheel wells at three different heights. Carpeted on one side and plastic on the other, the panel can serve as shelf, cargo cover or even a picnic or tailgating table. The tops of the wheel wells contain storage bins for small items. And there are several tie-downs and hooks on the panel from which to hang grocery bags. However, this system is being eliminated during the 2006 model year to increase cargo capacity. xm satellite radio is a great feature when traveling cross country because the stations don't change. Simply press the blue button and a human operator responds, to provide directions and other assistance. It delivers good acceleration and it's smooth enough. Epa fuel economy estimates are 19/24 mpg city/highway for front-drive models and 18/23 for the awd version. The 3. 4-liter v6 is an old overhead-valve design that lacks modern features such as variable valve timing and variable-length intake runners. So it feels strained when pushed at high rpm. It delivers 185 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. the v6 engine is aided considerably by the five-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet says the equinox can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 8. 5 seconds, which should be adequate performance for most families. And while it may not excel at acceleration, equinox is rated to pull a 3500-pound trailer. its long wheelbase and 3600-pound heft give the equinox a decent ride, making it a suitable companion for long trips. Its handling is responsive and it's easy to modulate the brakes for smooth stops. the equinox has good road feel in highway driving, yet the driver may notice that steering effort is very low at low speeds for easier maneuvering in tight parking lots. The steering ratio is variable, and the equinox uses electric, rather than hydraulic, power steering. An electronic control unit programmed for a variety of performance characteristics regulates an electric motor mounted adjacent to the steering column, providing the right amount of assist for a given driving situation. We don't think the average driver will feel the difference between this system and more conventional hydraulics, and that's a good thing. Unlike a hydraulic servo, the.
3,995 Lakeland, FLLakeland, FL at autoshopper.com