2010 Chevrolet Equinox

The new 2010 Chevy Equinox interior looks classy too, with a choice of three contrasting color schemes pairing brownstone, gray, or tan with black. Much of the plastic you see is hard, but the sheen and texture are appealing, the armrests and touch points are soft, and the seats get contrasting stitching (at least on the topline LTZ model displayed).

The utility of a crossover with the economy of a sedan! That's the boast being made by Chevy's second-generation 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, and the claim does not come attached to any expensive hybrid or diesel technology. Instead the base 2010 Equinox gets a spanking new 2.4L four bristling with variable valve timing on both cams and direct fuel injection. It makes 182 hp and 174 lb-ft. That's just three horses and 36 lb-ft shy of the former pushrod V-6's output, and performance with the improved gearing of the standard six-speed 6T45 Hydramatic is supposed to equal the 3.4L V-6's (9.1 sec to 60 mph by our equipment) while EPA fuel economy hits 21/30 mpg FWD, 20/27 AWD, up from 17/24 (FWD and AWD).

Stepping up to the 3.0L V-6 option erodes the fuel economy somewhat, but that engine is also direct-injected, using the same high 11.7:1 compression ratio to deliver 255 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque (down from the 2009 port-injected 3.6's 264/250). Fuel economy still inches upward from the 3.6L's 16-17/24 EPA city/hwy mpg to 18/25 mpg FWD, 17/24 AWD.

Aimed squarely at the Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota RAV4, the 2010 Equinox is arguably the best looking vehicle in the segment and uses some of the most advanced technology under the hood. Equipped with the base 2.4-liter inline-four and front-wheel drive, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox should be rated at 21/30 mpg, thanks to direct injection, a six-speed transmission, and a few aerodynamic tricks (Equinox boasts a 0.36 drag coefficient). Those looking for a bit more thrust than the 2.4-liter's 182 hp can step up to a 3.0-liter V-6, which pumps out 255 hp and returns a respectable 18/25 mpg (again, thanks in part to direct injection) on front-wheel drive models. For comparison, a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu with the 3.6-liter V-6 and six-speed transmission manages 17/26 mpg. It seems the crossover can be as efficient as a mid-size sedan, which certainly makes the entire segment more palatable these days.

Fuel economy has definitely taken a big step in the positive direction. While the current base 3.4L V-6 with 185-hp and 210 lb-ft of torque is capable of mpg ratings of 17 city and 24 highway in both FWD and AWD configurations, the ratings of the new ECOTEC I-4 definitely trump the old. The new 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is set to deliver fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway for FWD models, with AWD models being rated at 20 city and 27 highway. Updated power figures list the ECOTEC I-4 with 182-hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, a slight 2 lb-ft of torque upgrade over previous numbers. The 30 mpg rating on the 2010 Chevy Equinox with FWD is significant in that it makes the 2010 Equinox the first within its class to get out of the 20s for mpg ratings. The projected 0 to 60 mph is rated at 9.5 seconds.

The latest powerplant ratings released for the 3.0L V-6 shows an output of 264-hp and 222 lb-ft of torque. Even with the increased power, the 3.0L V-6 will be capable of delivering 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway with FWD, up slightly from previously released numbers of 18 city and 25 highway. When linked with AWD, 2010 Chevrolet Equinoxfuel economy ratings sit at 18 city and 24 highway, also up slightly from previous figures of 17 city and 24 highway. The current 3.6 V-6 delivers 264-hp and 250 lb-ft of torque, with mpg ratings of 17 city and 24 highway with FWD, and 16 city and 24 highway with AWD. The projected 0 to 60 mph time is 7.8 seconds.

When it arrives on dealership lots this June, the revamped 2010 Chevrolet Equinox will carry a base MSRP of $23,185 (including $745 destination charge) for the front-wheel drive, four-cylinder powered LS trim model. In case you were wonderting, that's a full $1,800 less than the 2009 Equinox's starting price, according to Chevrolet.