First, this third-generation Equinox, offered with front- or all-wheel drive, bucks trends by shrinking — not growing — compared to the vehicle it replaces.
Second, despite being Chevy’s second-best-selling nameplate in 2016 (Silverado was first), it’s willing to take styling chances.
Third, it’s the first multi-engine Chevy ever to field a motor menu comprised solely of turbocharged engines — all four-cylinders.
Looking for something with a modern style? The 2018 Equinox could be perfect for you! Call our Customer Care Team today and schedule a V.I.P. test drive. Or, visit us online anytime.
This guy is not risk-averse.
Offered in L, LS, LT and Premier trims, Equinox is available with a 1.5-liter making 170 hp; a 2.0-liter making 252 hp; and a 1.6-liter diesel good for 137 hp. The 2.0 buttons to a nine-speed automatic, the others to a six-speed. We drove a front-drive LT 2.0T.
Notably smaller than Generation 2, this Gen 3 Equinox, riding a 5.2-inch shorter wheelbase, casts an overall shadow that’s 4.7 inches more compact. That, and the resulting 400-pound weight savings, allows this guy to claim EPA mpg ratings that are better than average for the class.
Helping is Equinox’s standard stop/start engine feature, which — typical of GM — has no “off” button. Fortunately, it’s notably less irritating here than in many vehicles.
Weight loss notwithstanding, we suspect the base engine has its hands full (we haven’t driven it), but the 2.0-liter blown four in our front-drive LT was lively. With 260 lb.-ft. of torque managed by a smooth nine-speed, we never felt deprived of power, even as our front-driver returned 24 mpg over 150 miles, more in-town than highway.
From a styling standpoint, Equinox looks great. We loved the front’s Malibu-esque grille and the profile’s forward-leaning C-pillar, trailed as it is by a blacked-out D-pillar, giving the flank an in-motion look.
The cargo bay aft of the (foldable) second row is small by segment standards, but people room is aces front and rear. If anything, we found the front buckets overly supportive, with a beefy horizontal shoulder bolster that, paired with the seat back’s big side bolsters, sort of gave the impression of leaning back into a catcher’s mitt.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox styling: In our LT’s quiet cabin, infotainment, including an audio volume knob, was happily simple and soft-touch buttons on the steering wheel had pleasant tactile feel.
Pricing tells us Chevy is proud of the quantum leap this new Equinox has made over its predecessor. A base L front-driver starts at an accessible $24,525, but our front-drive LT, with the stronger engine and nine-speed, had a base price just over $30,000. To that we had to add a $1,945 package to get heated seats, power liftgate, dual-zone climate, Rear Park Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic, Blind Zone and Lane Change alerts.
That done, our LT 2.0T was very nice, indeed, and a real competitor in a segment that includes the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
The Chevrolet Cruze, manufactured at the General Motors Lordstown Complex, is judged one of the safest vehicles on the road and rates fifth among
ll small cars in performance, execution and layout in new honors from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and J.D. Power.
Would you like to Find New Roads in a brand new Chevrolet Cruze? Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 to schedule your V.I.P. appointment today. Or, drop by our website!
In a recent special-edition company newsletter, GM Lords-town reported the NHTSA gave the Cruze a 5-Star safety rating, the best available.
The NHTSA’s safety rating program evaluates how vehicles perform in crash tests involving frontal, side and roll-over testing, the types of traffic accidents most common on America’s roads.
In the evaluation process, more stars mean safer cars.
“This is more great news for our Cruze. The consumer information label affixed to the left rear window of Cruze will soon change from the current 4-Star to 5-Star,” said Lordstown plant manager Rick Demuynck.
J.D. Power’s study for Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout released last week showed the Cruze ranked fifth in the small-car segment, up from 18th place last year, which was the second-largest APEAL improvement in the industry.
The most appealing vehicles tend to remain on dealer lots for shorter periods, command higher prices, and are more likely to create brand loyalty when traded in, according to the APEAL study, which measures owners’ emotional attachment and level of excitement about 77 attributes that manufacturers use to help design and develop more appealing vehicles.
The safety and design awards show the hard work and effort put forth by United Auto Workers of America and General Motors, said Robert Morales, president of UAW Local 1714, which represents fabrication workers at the plant.
“I believe the awards will translate into increased sales. People do pay attention. I believe these awards and our hard work will definitely pay off,” Morales said.
Similarly, the GM Lordstown newsletter read: “The J.D. Power second-place finish in the Initial Quality study and the NHTSA 5-Star Safety ranking all are fueling our drive to better the perception of our car and complex.”
As a preview to our upcoming off-road head-to-head comparison test, we wanted to show you what the all-new 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 looks like, in full detail, in living color.
Want your own 4X4 ZR2? Call Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL near Naperville at 630-898-9630. Or, visit our website today.
The mileage king of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu lineup is the Hybrid model, a mid-size gas/electric sedan that borrows some of its energy components from the electric Volt and Bolt.
2017 Chevy Malibu Hybrid
The mileage king of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu lineup is the Hybrid model, a mid-size gas/electric sedan that borrows some of its energy components from the Volt and Bolt electric vehicles. As a result, the 2017 Malibu Hybrid will take you an amazing 49 miles down the highway on a single gallon of gasoline.
Ron Westphal Chevrolet (in Aurora IL near Naperville) stocks a large selection of brand new and late-model Chevrolet Malibu models. Visit our website or call our Customer Care Team today.
The Malibu Hybrid uses a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine and electric motors for its power. The combination results in a total of 182 horsepower and sends 277 lb.-ft. of torque to the front wheels. You won’t win red light races in this car, but if you buy one that’s probably not what you had in mind anyway.
However, while the others are stopped for gas, you’ll drive right by the station with a big smile on your face.
An 80-cell 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack supplies power to the hybrid system and can power the Malibu Hybrid up to about 55 miles per hour on electricity alone. The gas engine automatically kicks in at higher speeds or when the driver calls for more power.
One day during my week with the Malibu Hybrid, I drove from Denham Springs to the Santa Maria subdivision. The odometer showed the round trip was about 46 miles, but the “distance to empty” reading was only about five miles less at the end of the trip than the start. That’s because the car stores energy that is generated when coasting or braking.
I drove the car with an eye towards fuel economy instead of my normal way, which generally does not have an eye towards fuel economy unless I’m almost out of gas. I was amazed at the fuel efficiency of this mid-sized sedan. And much of this efficiency is attributable to its sharing technology with the Volt.
In addition to the drive unit, the Malibu Hybrid also share’s the 2016 Volt’s blended regenerative braking system, which provides maximum kinetic energy recovery during braking and coasting. The energy is stored in the battery for use later.
On the road, the Malibu Hybrid is comfortable and roomy. Our Jet Black test car absorbed potholes without fuss, and it had the necessary power from its gas and electric motors to get around slower vehicles on two-lane roads.
Inside the cabin, the 8-way power front seats were well bolstered and comfortable. There’s still some hard plastic in this car, but materials were soft in the right spots. Keyless start is standard, although it takes a little getting used to when you push the start button and only the electrical system silently boots up. The engine doesn’t come on until it’s needed.
Graphics on the 7-inch diagonal touchscreen were crisp and clear, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on the base audio system for 2017.
The driver has the ability to switch between display screens, one of which is an energy meter. This function allows the driver to see what source is supplying vehicle power: the battery, the engine or both. The screen also shows when regenerative braking is active. It’s more than just a really cool feature that I enjoyed using, it’s a good tool to help drivers become more fuel efficient.
A new Teen Driver feature is also standard equipment. This feature allows parents to set driving controls, review junior’s driving habits and encourage safe driving.
Finally, the 2017 Chevy Malibu Hybrid is also a safe car, winning a 5-star safety rating from the government. The hybrid version of the Malibu hasn’t been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but the regular 2017 Malibu is a “Top Safety Pick Plus,” which is the agency’s highest rating.
Thanks for reading about the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid. We hope to see you soon.
Unlike most people in developed countries, Americans often use pickups like cars. The vehicles that Europeans and Japanese choose for commuting, shuttling their children and grabbing groceries could park in the bed of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. Then again, this Chevy is more of a leviathan than most pickups. This grown-up Tonka toy and its General Motors twin, the GMC Sierra 2500 HD, are the closest many drivers will get to operating heavy machinery.
Looking for your own heave machinery? Call Ron Westphal Chevrolet now at 630-898-9630 or visit our website and get your own HD Silverado.
For those not overly familiar with pickups, the Ford F150s, Chevy Silverados and Rams we see most often are 1500s. These are solid trucks that carry wallboard and tow motorbikes when they aren’t doing family duty. Hauling the clan in a 2500 series is like cutting butter with a chain saw. Excess is fun — until you need finesse. Spoiler alert: This Silverado actually has some.
Ford and Ram also make 2500s (3500s, too, but let’s not go there today). Pickups are all about numbers and bragging rights. The 2500s are serious work rigs that, in the Silverado’s case, can tow up to 18,100 pounds. Its maximum payload is 3,534 pounds. That’s about 500 pounds more than the weight of a Toyota Prius.
Did you know that trucks in this class are not rated by the Environmental Protection Agency? The 2500 HD I drove was equipped with the revised 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V-8. I saw 17 miles per gallon, a stellar number considering Silverado’s 7,300-pound weight.
That engine, rated at 445 horsepower and a jaw-dropping 910 pound-feet of torque, is paired exclusively with a six-speed Allison transmission. The column-mounted shift lever often slides straight into “low” rather than “drive,” so pay attention. The small manual shift buttons on the arm are a bit awkward to use. Steering wheel paddles could be useful here.
Like many diesel engines, the Chevy’s uses urea fluid to keep the engine emissions in check. The tank requires an occasional refill of the urea, though that’s as easy as topping off windshield wiper fluid. But the tank does impinge on the front passenger’s work boots a bit. (A Seattle law firm specializing in automotive class action lawsuits has accused GM of programming an emissions cheat, a case similar to one against Volkswagen. GM denies the accusation. The government has not stepped in at this time.)
You can choose between rear- and four-wheel drive. There’s a towing mode, including a trailer-sway control that pulses the Silverado’s brakes to help stabilize the load. Adjustments can be made to the trailer brakes, and an engine brake setting helps save the physical brakes when lugging heavy cargo down steep mountain roads. Just like the big rigs.
Can’t have the tourists taking any Snapchats with the mid-engined C8.
If “Take a tour of the Chevy Corvette factory in Bowling Green” is one of the items on your summertime bucket list this year, you might want to fast-track those plans for that trip down Kentucky way. Starting this June, General Motors will be closing the Corvette factory to the public for a year and a half.
Want a new Corvette now? Call our Customer Care Team at 630-898-9630 or visit us online.
The National Corvette Museum’s Katie Frassinelli told the Bowling Green Daily News the tours are being shut down in order to give the facility a chance to conduct extensive changes to the factory.
The Bowling Green, KY factory will offer its final tours on Friday, June 16th.
While General Motors officials reportedly refused to discuss future plans during an April 28th conversation at the Corvette Museum, even a drunken monkey would be liable to draw a connection between the planned plant closure and the forthcoming mid-engined C8-generation Corvette. That future Chevy has been spied repeatedly over the last year, clad in thick layers of camouflage that still can’t disguise the new model’s engine layout.
How Smartslide Seats Works: Video 2018 Chevy Traverse
Salesperson Mike Logue discusses the new SmartSlide seating on the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. It’s easy to use and allows you to move the seat up without having to remove an empty child seat. With the seat moved forward, you have ample access to the third row split bench.
If you have any questions or concerns, call Mike Logue or our customer care team at 630-898-9630. If you prefer, visit us online at http://www.WestphalChevy.com.
Salesperson Mike Logue gives us a brief video explanation of how easy it is to use the all new traction mode select in the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse.
If you would like to experience this feature in person, feel free to drop by our dealership anytime or call our customer care team at 630-898-9630 to set up a V.I.P. appointment.
If you want to shop online, visit our website at www.westphalchevy.com. Ron Westphal Chevrolet has a large selection of brand new and pre-owned Chevrolet Traverse and SUV models to choose from, in stock and available for immediate delivery.
Thanks for watching How it Works: 2018 Traverse Traction Mode Select!
If I had a dollar for every time I was asked, “What’s your favorite car?” I could buy that car. Even if it were an exotic.
Looking for a 2018 Equinox? Call our Customer Care Team now at 630-898-9630 or select your perfect Crossover on our website at www.WestphalChevy.com.
Truth be told, the vehicles that get my professional admiration are the everyday ones, the dependable workhorses that shuttle our children hither and yon, the cars that become part of the family. It’s easy to love performance machines or luxury vehicles with fur-lined glove boxes (not a thing, but you get the gist). But the car geek in me admires budget-restrained engineering teams who create affordable cars that are truly desirable. That’s a black art.
The all-new third generation Chevrolet Equinox crossover is more proof that under Mary Barra, General Motors has found its footing. The Equinox takes care of five people, does the chores, doesn’t drink to excess and looks good.
In the brutal automotive business, the compact crossover market is the most fiercely competitive. It includes not only the Equinox but also the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Rogue, Kia Sportage, Volkswagen Tiguan and Hyundai Tucson. The Equinox is critical to General Motors. Chevrolet moved 242,195 of them in the United States in 2016, which was second in volume only to the Silverado pickup truck. The 2018 model will probably sell quicker because it’s a far better vehicle.
Here’s why. The Equinox is more than four inches shorter now but retains the same interior space. The 400 pounds it has shed may exceed the weight of the young family who drives it. Let’s buy a round for the engineers.
The Equinox’s breezy design language, which also graces the Cruze, Malibu and Volt, could be used by Lexus in a parallel universe. One reason the second generation overstayed its welcome is that the original design for the third generation was so unloved in consumer clinics that it was scrapped. Good to know the Chevrolet team understands that ugly is forever once it’s on the road.
Friends and neighbors fawned over the Premier model’s cabin with stitched elements on the instrument panel. Owners will be staring at it for years in bad traffic, so glad it’s handsome. Budget plastics are placed below the center console where they’re seldom seen or touched. (It’s how wise product planners cut costs.) The center console is roomy enough to fit a single-lens reflex camera. G.M.’s touch-screen user interface, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, is simple to use.
A base price of $24,525 will give pause to price-sensitive internet shoppers. Climbing to $33,975, my top trim Premier tester lacked available all-wheel drive and a panoramic sunroof. And adaptive cruise control is not even listed as an option. To be fair, the price includes vented front seats, a heated steering wheel and a surround-view camera system that some competitors
don’t offer. Generous pricing margins may allow Chevy dealers plenty of negotiation room. Get in there and haggle hard.
Considering the comfort and refinement, the effort may be worth it. The Equinox shines by delivering a polished and quiet dynamic verging on luxury brand levels. If the roads to soccer or Little League practice are rough, this suspension smooths the bumps. It’s respectable in the curves, too, without challenging the Mazda CX-5’s cornering chops.
Chevy’s supportive seats impressed my backside (though that’s a personal thing). A bonus: Set off the lane-keeping assist system and the driver’s cushion vibrates discreetly, with no tattletale chimes. It’s a marriage-saving feature first found in Cadillacs.
The standard engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder providing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. That’s hooked up to a 6-speed transmission that aggressively holds low ratios for fuel efficiency. This standard power plant is smooth with acceleration in the middle of the pack. The CR-V is a little quicker and efficient. The Environmental Protection Agency rated the average fuel economy of a front-drive Equinox at 28 miles per gallon versus the Honda’s at 30. A comparable RAV4 scores 25.
Any performance and efficiency deficiencies can be rectified in spades with two engine options. There’s a 2-liter turbo gasoline engine with 252 horsepower and a nine-speed transmission for Speed Racer. Scrooge McDuck may be interested in the four-cylinder turbo diesel paired to a six-speed that’s expected to return 40 miles per gallon.
The Equinox’s automatic engine start-stop system is smooth enough to forget about in many situations. Good thing because it can’t be turned off. Unlike the automatic all-wheel drive systems used by others, the Equinox requires drivers to enable it manually. (There’s a prompt to push the button when conditions warrant.)
Automatic emergency braking is standard on the RAV4, the 2018 Nissan Rogue and most CR-Vs. That safety tech is part of a $1,900 package on the Equinox and only available on the top Premier model.
The back seat no longer slides fore and aft (eliminated because some second-generation owners never knew it did). The space is generous with a raised seat cushion offering significant thigh support for adults and superior visibility for children. The back also sports two USB ports, a 12-volt socket and a 115-volt three-prong outlet, so there’s nothing that can’t be charged.
The days of Japan Inc. clearly outgunning Detroit & Co. on every level are gone. While my left brain admires the overachieving Honda CR-V, my right brain gives the nod to the comfortable, refined and stylish Equinox. Both engineering teams performed the black magic needed to make a mainstream car appealing. I won’t be around to nag you to test drive. So experience at least three vehicles before writing that big check. A tip? The Equinox is worth a look.
Thanks for reading/watching the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Video Review. This is Tom Voelk’s last Driven column for The Times. His reviews will continue to appear on the YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/DrivenCarReviews.
MADISON, Wisconisn – A teenager, Dontrell Stamps, accused of stealing a car was thwarted by in-car technology Wednesday, Madison police said.
Car thief thwarted by OnStar
The Madison Police Department said a Chevrolet Cruze, equipped with the in-car security and safety communication service OnStar, was reported stolen out of Sparta. An OnStar representative called Madison police at about 8:30 a.m. to say OnStar was tracking the vehicle and it was in downtown Madison.
The stolen car went out John Nolen Drive with OnStar providing police in real time with its location, according to the report. Officers attempted to pull the car over, but the driver didn’t stop. Instead he entered the busy Beltline Highway headed west.
Back at OnStar, employees sent a message to the car using the company’s stolen vehicle slowdown technology, police said. The driver was trying to accelerate, but the car was instead slowing down.
The driver sideswiped a couple of cars before driving into a ditch near Fish Hatchery Road, police said.
Looking for a vehicle with Onstar? Visit Ron Westphal Chevrolet in Aurora, IL for a fantastic selection of new and late-model pre-owned Chevrolet vehicles. Or, call us at 630-898-9630.
The mileage king of the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu lineup is the Hybrid model, a mid-size gas/electric sedan that borrows some of its energy components from the electric Volt and Bolt.
Can’t have the tourists taking any Snapchats with the mid-engined C8.