Any savvy driver in the market for a crossover vehicle is naturally going to pay close attention to the weight. Here at Jim Butler Chevy, we have been avidly watching the different aspects of the SUV market over the last few years, and just how sleeker and able the existing options are now.
When SUV’s first came around, it was no surprise when they lurched around heavily, and many thousands of hours have been spent by engineers trying to effectively “lighten the load”. If you’re considering owning the completely re-designed Chevy Equinox, you’ll be pleased to know that 400 pounds have been dropped, which is almost ten percent of its weight total.
The end result is a crossover model that is lean and strong, which greatly affects efficiency of performance. Driving experience becomes more fun, and during any distance you are looking to conquer will inspire more confidence. Inside, the 1.5- L turbo engine promotes an improved balance of fuel efficiency and road performance: the 2.0- L option offers 252 horsepower, and can complete the 0-60 jump in around 7.2 seconds. Everyone who has sat behind the wheel as of yet has determined that this upgrade is a much smoother ride, and the steering feels more agile due to the lightness of the structure.
Because of the placement of very high-strength steel in the body structure, you really feel as if you are protected by the sturdiest of grates. Together with Equinox restraint systems and other available safety features, energy is managed in top-notch form, which is important if you do happen to sustain a crash. With the suspension tuning, the body structure allowed engineers to focus in-depth on making sure that the ride is more comfortable. There are six points within the SUV body where both the front and rear suspension are cradled, and this helps to further enhance the air of responsiveness that you get while driving.
Since the Equinox has a much stiffer body, it is better at ridding you of unwanted vibrations and noise, which will contribute to a smooth and safe ride. Since much success has been had at absorbing sound, fewer dissipative materials were required during construction, which also helped greatly for shedding weight. Fuel economy is in the much-improved category as well: the 1.5-L turbo and 2.0-L gas engines are nailing down around 32 mpg and 29 mpg on the highway, and the 1.6L diesel ranks in at around 40 mpg on the highway. Over 80 percent of the structure for the Equinox’s body is composed of very high-grade steel materials, with the highest grades of steel comprising almost 20 percent.
When you are loading your cargo, you’re going to love the storage options: there is a large, hidden underfloor space, as well as a flat cargo floor that improves with ease of loading and unloading. All of our staff members here at the dealership know that Missouri-area drivers have many new options for crossover SUV choices. The drastic change in size for the Equinox has given it the exact edge that will answer your need for a concise crossover vehicle, and we're gonna love showing you just how easy it is to get your ownership or lease started.