4 banger

[DWBur]

Has anyone drove the Equinox with the 4 cylinder, and do you think it would it be acceptable to most drivers? I'm wondering how it would be at interstate speeds. I can't find one at any of the local dealers to test drive.

[Ruley73]

Originally Posted by DWBur

Has anyone drove the Equinox with the 4 cylinder, and do you think it would it be acceptable to most drivers? I'm wondering how it would be at interstate speeds. I can't find one at any of the local dealers to test drive.

As heavy as the Equinox is (all weigh ~3750-3850 Ibs regardless of year) and as little power as the 2.4L engine provides (182 HP, 172 Ibs-ft torque) you'll probably want to opt for the V6. I know the 3400 V6 (no longer used on newest models) in our 2007 Equinox has 185 HP/ 215 Ibs-ft torque and I consider it to be just above adequate. I couldn't imagine having any less power on tap.

I honestly don't know what GM was thinking by offering this vehicle with a four cylinder engine.

If fuel economy is what you're really concerned about, that V6 should fare pretty well with the 6-speed automatic. With much less power on tap (185 HP, 215 Ibs-Ft torque vs 264 HP, 222 IBs-Ft torque), a bigger displacement (old pushrod 3.4L V6 vs new direct-injection DOHC 3.0L V6), and only a 5-speed tranny, we average about 19-20 MPG city and 23-24 MPG highway (actual measurements, not just DIC fuel economy info). I've gotten as high as 26.5 MPG on a long highway trip. That was fully loaded, cruising at 75 MPH most of the way, and including a lot of pedal-to-the-metal accelerating/passing situations during the morning Five-O'Clock 500 through Chicago.

Here is a link to Consumer Guide's review of the new 2010 Equinox.

[wpbharry]

According to many reviews, the V6 isn't much help, either. The last review I read said that "you really have to put your foot into it to get the V6 to act like a V6". The direct injected 3.0 V6 is low on torque.

I'm sure that GM will eventually put the 3.6 V6 in the 'Nox, Terrain and SRX.

All the buzz about the new Equinox right now is the normal "early adopters" buying, but with the lack of power, the buzz won't last more than 6 months, IMO.

I love the ads for the 4-cylinder which claim better fuel economy than the Escape Hybrid. That's true (by 1 mpg) on the highway, but about 11 mpg lower in the city - which, of course, they don't mention....

[Ruley73]

Originally Posted by wpbharry

According to many reviews, the V6 isn't much help, either. The last review I read said that "you really have to put your foot into it to get the V6 to act like a V6". The direct injected 3.0 V6 is low on torque.

I'm sure that GM will eventually put the 3.6 V6 in the 'Nox, Terrain and SRX.

All the buzz about the new Equinox right now is the normal "early adopters" buying, but with the lack of power, the buzz won't last more than 6 months, IMO.

I love the ads for the 4-cylinder which claim better fuel economy than the Escape Hybrid. That's true (by 1 mpg) on the highway, but about 11 mpg lower in the city - which, of course, they don't mention....

Yeah, I don't know why they didn't put in the DOHC 3.6L V6 in the newer ones. I'm actually surprised that they used the 3400 and not the 3500 V6 or 3900 V6 in the earlier ones too. That would've been plenty of useful power.

[red88gt]

I actually own a 2010 Equinox with the four banger. It's not as quick as I'm like but more than acceptable on the highway. We got the four cylinder because we were able to get the $ 4500 "cash for clunkers" discount by going that route. Hey, I'll like a little more "umph" but so far we have almost 2,000 miles on it & the drivers info center tells me the average fuel economy has been 29.4 mpg. That's on the total mileage both city & highway. the drivers info keeps tabs on the average speed & that's been just about 45 mph. My wife drives it to work which is about 3 miles to the highway, then 24 miles to her exit, then about three mores miles to the door on city streets. I have driven my daughter to school twice (300 miles round trip) but the rest of the miles have been our average driving. I actually checked this last tank full using the old fill it & drive, fill it back up & calculate. The wife & daughter shopped Sunday, I drove the daughter to school Monday & drove around town today. We drove 387 miles & it took 12.6 gals, 30.7 mpg. We also own a 2007 Vibe, which my wife hates, I constantly check the mileage on that & it's really not getting any better mileage (constant 28 to 30). The Equinox actually seems to be getting better highway mileage and is much more comfortable. MY wife likes it , what more can I say ? I urge you to hold out & wait till a dealer gets one you can test drive. They were all gone in my area due to "cash for clunkers" but they're starting to get more deliveries but they're all presold. Ask a dealer if he'll call you to let you drive one before it gets delivered.