By Josh RosenbergWhile many car shoppers are looking for "older" models more than ever right now due to extremely high new and used car prices, the 2011 Equinox might be one to pass on. It just hasn't aged particularly well with many owners having repair and reliability issues.
Here, we'll review the vehicle as it came out in 2011 and then address more specifically what mechanical problems to be on the lookout for.
But first, something very important if you are in the market for an "older" vehicle ...
Things To Do When Considering An "Older" Vehicle
Locate Lower Mileage Vehicles: They are certainly out there to be found with careful and patient shopping. Be willing to drive a distance if you have to.
Check The Price: Run the Vin # through Edmunds Trade-In Quotes for a more accurate estimate of its trade-in (or wholesale) value. This will give you a gauge for what would be a fair price.
You should also do this for your own trade-in early in the shopping process, as in now if you are looking around, so you know your budget and can also negotiate a fair trade-in price with a dealer.
Vehicle History and Maintenance: Ask for the vehicle history report (CarFax or AutoCheck) as well as documented maintenance and repair records. If not provided by the Dealer or private seller, it's best to move on.
Pre-Purchase Inspection: Have the vehicle independently inspected before making a final decision. This usually will cost in the $150-$200 range but is well worth it given the potentially thousands in savings over the long term.
2011 Chevy Equinox Overview
By 2011, the Chevrolet Equinox had made a name for itself in a relatively short time (debuted in 2005) in the very competitive small SUV crossover segment due to its looks, long list of standard features, quality drive, quiet cabin and solid fuel economy.
And not sitting idly after last year's redesign, Chevrolet has added new features and equipment for 2011. Additional standard features include heated front seats on the LT2 model, a compass for the LS and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth and a USB port for the LT1. In addition, the Equinox's optional V6 engine is now E85 compatible.
Overall, the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox not only looks good and has an expensive aura to it, its materials quality is now as good as its top rivals. And in terms of performance, even the 182-horsepower four-cylinder engine provides surprisingly decent acceleration ... and impressive gas mileage. And for those seeking additional power, the 264-horsepower V6 is quite robust.
There's little doubt that the Equinox has traditional segment leaders as rivals, such as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V looking over their shoulders. Other good ones to compare would be the Kia Sorento as well as the Nissan Rogue.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2011 Equinox is a compact crossover SUV offered in four trims: LS, LT1, LT2 and LTZ.
Standard features for the already well-equipped base model Equinox LS include power windows, power mirrors, power doorlocks, cruise control, power front seat height adjustment, air conditioning, 17-inch alloy wheels, OnStar, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a sliding-and-reclining backseat and a 6-speaker audio system with satellite radio, a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
Car Buying Tips:
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The Truth About Wholesale And Trade-in Values
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The LT1 then adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth, roof rails, tinted rear windows and a USB/iPod audio interface. And those LT1 models with the V6 engine also come with 18-inch wheels.
Moving up to the Equinox LT2 adds an 8-way power driver seat, remote ignition, automatic climate control, foglamps, a rearview camera, heated front seats, an auto-dimming mirror and an 8-speaker Pioneer audio sytem, while the top-of-the-line LTZ model adds leather upholstery, rear parking sensors, automatic headlamps, driver memory settings and a power tailgate.
In terms of optional equipment, many of the upper trim's features are vailable to the lower trims. Also, a sunroof is available on all models except the LS, while the LT2 and LTZ have optional navigation (with voice recognition and digital music storage) and rear entertainment systems . There's also optional 19-inch chrome-clad wheels available for the V6 LTZ .
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Powering the 2011 Chevy Equinox is a choice of two engines. The standard engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 182-horsepower and 172-pound-feet of torque. Also available on all models except the LS is a 3.0-liter V6 that outputs 264-horsepower and 222-pound-feet. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is optional on all models.
The Equinox's fuel economy is another of its appealing selling points, particularly four-cylinder versions. The EPA-estimated gas mileage for a four-cylinder with front-wheel drive is 22 mpg city and 32 mpg on the highway. These numbers dip on all-wheel-drive models to 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Gas mileage for a V6 Equinox with front-wheel drive comes in at 17 and 25, respectively, while V6's with all-wheel-drive drop 1 mpg on the highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features across all 2011 Equinox models include stability control, traction control, OnStar, antilock disc brakes (ABS) with brake assist, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Optional safety features include rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.
Although goverment crash tests have not yet been completed for the 2011 Equinox, the 2010 model received the highest possible ratings of five stars in every front-impact and side-impact occupant protection category.
Interior:
The 2011 Equinox's cabin is attractive, well-constucted and consists of primarily high quality materials. It also includes a number of premium flourishes that give it an overall upscale look, moreso than most competitors in its class.
Its larger size, for a "compact" SUV, allows for spacious interior accommodations. Seating is comfortable and supportive, while the sliding/reclining rear seat provides the roomiest legroom in its segment.
There's also plenty of storage nooks and compartments, including a large bin below the front row's center armrest. However, the extra passenger roominess and convenient cargo bin access cuts into rear cargo capacity somewhat. While still adequate, the Equinox comes in with a below-average 31.4 cubic feet of storage space behind the sliding backseat. This number can be expanded to 63.7 cubes by folding the rear seat.
Drive:
In addition to its impressive fuel economy, the acceleration from the 2011 Chevy Equinox's four-cylinder engine is quite capable overall. Most drivers will be satisfied with its performance. For those who value additional oomph on the road, the V6 is a good choice as its 264 horsepower is one of the most robust in its class.
While its handling and steering is fairly unremarkable, its quiet cabin and comfortable ride quality is impressive, particularly on long highway excursions.
2011 Chevrolet Equinox Mechanical Problem Watchlist:
The most important question is, has the 2011 Equinox been reliable? Unfortunately, it hasn't done very well in reliability ratings. While it gets excellent scores for safety, it gets a reliability rating of two out of five from J.D. Power, which is the lowest rating in its class.
It's important to note that not all 2011 Equinox vehicles experienced excessive problems, and many owners had trouble-free experiences with their cars. However, these issues were reported often enough to be noted as common concerns:
Engine Problems: There were reports of excessive oil consumption in some Equinox models. This could lead to issues such as engine damage or reduced engine performance. Some owners also experienced problems with the engine's timing chain.
Transmission Issues: Transmission problems, including slipping gears, rough shifting, or outright transmission failure, were reported by some owners.
Electrical Problems: Various electrical issues, such as problems with the electrical system, power windows, or dashboard warning lights, were reported by some owners.
Suspension and Steering: Problems with the suspension and steering components, such as worn-out bushings, were reported.
Air Conditioning and Heating: Some owners reported issues with the air conditioning and heating systems not functioning properly.
Brake Problems: While not extremely common, some Equinox owners experienced brake-related problems, including brake pad wear or issues with the brake system.
Noise and Vibration: Some drivers reported unusual noises or vibrations coming from the vehicle, which could be related to various mechanical components.