2016 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD First Test Review

The second-generation Chevrolet Equinox heads into the 2016 model year with a mid-cycle refresh including revised interior and exterior design, streamlined trim levels, and new available connectivity features. We tested a well-equipped 2016 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD.

Powertrain options carry over on all Equinoxes and include a 2.4-liter I-4 rated 182 hp and 172 lb-ft or a 3.6-liter V-6 rated 301 hp and 272 lb-ft. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available. Our test vehicle featured the base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.

At the track, the four-cylinder, all-wheel-drive compact crossover took 9.5 seconds to reach 60 mph and 17.0 seconds to finish the quarter mile at 80.9 mph. Stopping from 60 mph took 116 feet. The four-cylinder all-wheel-drive Equinox lapped the figure eight in 28.3 seconds at 0.57 g lateral average and pulled 0.79 g lateral average around the skidpad. Our tester’s performance lies right in the thick of other all-wheel-drive compact crossovers with base four-cylinder engines.

The four-cylinder Equinox felt adequate on congested Los Angeles streets, but it struggled a bit on onramps. It was able to get up to freeway speeds before merging. The 2.4-liter engine feels somewhat harsh especially toward the top of the rpm range. Despite its unpleasant exhaust tone, the engine provides linear power delivery.

The electric power steering has a light off-center feel and non-linear boost that makes it seem harder to keep centered in the lane. Our tester’s optional and hyperactive Lane Departure Warning only adds to that feel. Unless the Equinox was traveling in the exact center of the lane, the audible warning would go off even if the crossover was more than a foot away from either lane marking.

Our 2016 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD tester with the four-cylinder engine starts at $32,385 (including $895 destination). Options include $495 Driver Confidence package (rear park assist, rear cross traffic alert, side blind-zone alert), $395 Driver Confidence package II (forward collision alert, lane departure warning), $950 Enhanced Convenience package (eight-way power front passenger seat, power rear liftgate, universal home remote), $135 cargo area close-out panel, and $395 Siren Red Tintcoat paint. Our tester came with the Jet Black leather interior. Total price came to $34,755.

Notable standard features on the top-level LTZ trim include a rearview camera, remote keyless entry with remote start, 18-inch alloy wheels, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, foglights, and the exterior chrome package. Interior features include leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather seating surfaces with heated front seats, eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar, automatic climate control, and auto-dimming rearview mirror.

The infotainment system gains a new 7.0-inch color touchscreen with Bluetooth audio and phone, OnStar, 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, voice commands, XM satellite radio, Pandora and Stitcher integration, MP3 player, and USB and auxiliary inputs.

The 2016 refresh brings a new front fascia with a chrome dual-port grille, projector headlights with LED daytime running lights and new foglights, redesigned “Chevy-signature” dual-element taillights, a revised license plate surround, a new lower fascia with chrome trim, and redesigned wheels. Interior updates include a redesigned center stack with a new storage shelf and a deep center console compartment. Graphics for the buttons and switches have been revised, while the transmission shifter gains new chrome trim.

With the styling refresh and additional infotainment and active safety tech, the automaker hopes to lure more customers into its second best-selling model (behind the Silverado pickup). While the four-cylinder 2016 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD’s performance is on par for the segment, it is one of the larger models in the compact segment and offers more space than many of its competitors. That’s something young families and empty-nesters may find enticing.

2016 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD
BASE PRICE	$32,385
PRICE AS TESTED	$34,755
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, AWD, 5-pass, 4-door SUV
ENGINE	2.4L/182-hp/172-lb-ft DOHC 16-valve I-4
TRANSMISSION	6-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,973 lb (56/44%)
WHEELBASE	112.5 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	187.8 x 72.5 x 66.3 in
0-60 MPH	9.5 sec
QUARTER MILE	17.0 sec @ 80.9 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	116 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.79 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	28.3 sec @ 0.57 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	20/29/23 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	169/116 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.83 lb/mile

 

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