We don't just talk cars ... we teach how to buy them.
2013 Chevrolet Equinox Pros, Cons,
Prices And How To Get The
Best Out-The-Door Deal
(See Also: "The Ultimate Chevy Equinox Negotiation Secret")
In a very competitive compact crossover SUV segment, the 2013 Chevy Equinox still manages to reside among the top picks thanks to its nice balance of stylish design, versatility, refinement and comfort. There's also some new high-tech features this year that add to its appeal.
New for this model year is a larger optional 3.6-liter V6 engine that replaces its 3.0-liter predecessor. Also new is an updated touchscreen interface, smartphone app integration (MyLink), a rear entertainment system, a remote garage door opener and a power passenger seat.
2013 Chevrolet Equinox
While the latest Equinox may have much going for it, nevertheless, before making a final buying decision prospective owners should not only consider its appealing qualities, but measure the possible impact of its potential drawbacks as well. And if one then decides to proceed with a possible purchase, it's essential to also have a rock-solid plan for getting the best possible price (see the "How To Get The Lowest Price" link below).
Pros:
Upscale interior and exterior look: From the outside, the Equinox boasts a premium and refined design while inside, although the materials quality is on par for the class, its overall stylish design, solid build quality and feature flourishes make it one of the most premium-looking in its class.
Good gas mileage with four-cylinder engine: The standard four-cylinder engine produces a satisfying 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Its time from a standstill to 60 mph (with front-wheel drive) is about average for this segment, but its EPA-estmated fuel economy is a very strong 22 mpg city and 32 mpg on the highway. Opting for all-wheel drive lowers these numbers to 20 city and 29 highway.
If you want more power, all models except the LS offer an optional V6 engine that produces a healthy 301 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. Of course, the additional power comes at the expense of some fuel efficiency, with a rating of 17 mpg city and 24 highway with front-wheel drive or 16 and 23, respectively, with AWD.
Comfortable highway ride: The Equinox is up to 10 inches longer than some of its similarly-priced competitors, giving it a passenger comfort advantage on long highway excursions. This, combined with with its quiet cabin, smooth-shifting 6-speed automatic transmission and a suspension that does a commendable job of absorbing most road bumps and rough spots, makes for an overall pleasant driving experience.
Roomy and adjustable backseat: One of the top attributes of the Equinox is its large and expandable backseat. Already spacious, the sliding 60/40-split rear seats add still more legroom, enough to comfortably accommodate even very tall passengers, while average size folks can truely stretch out and relax. Oh, the rear seatbacks recline as well ... nap time, anyone?
2013 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ interior
Quiet cabin with ample storage bins: In addition to a quiet interior environment thanks to abundant noise insulation and tight construction, the Equinox comes equipped with a generous choice of convenient storage cubbies throughout the cabin ... again, this is a vehicle with especially impressive long trip qualities.
Cons:
Less storage room than some rivals: While the interior is larger than most and is particularly passenger-friendly, its cargo capacity is less than some of its top rivals. That said, its storage room should be adequate enough for most buyers, coming in at 31.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expandable to 63.7 cubes by folding down the rear seatbacks.
Mediocre maneuverability: The Equinox isn't egineered to handle as athletically as some of its sportier competitors. It's designed to move its occupants in a comfortable manner from point A to point B and most drivers will likely be quite satisfied with its performance. However, it will do so in an unremarkable way with precise but unengaging steering and only adequate acceleration (from the four-cylinder). The tradeoff is a comfortable ride quality and very good gas mileage.
Limited rear visibility: The way the vehicle is designed reduces rear visibility to some extent. In addition, the rearview camera is marred by poor video quality.
Overall:
The 2013 Chevy Equinox is a well-rounded, family-friendly compact SUV that is among the top available in this segment. Its downsides are not typically high priority areas for most buyers, while its upsides are more universally appealing.
Even so, it's always a good idea to check out other top contenders before making a final buying decision. Others worthy of consideration would include the redesigned Ford Escape with a wide choice of engines, the feature and value packed Hyundai Santa Fe, the athletic Mazda CX-5 as well as the the tried and true Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
How To Get The Lowest Price:
Best Negotiating Tactic: Well, there's definitely a 'best way' when it comes to new car buying. If you want to get the best bottomline, out-the-door price you need to know exactly who to talk to at the dealership, how to make the contact and how to make this person eager to quickly drop prices as low as possible to get your sale.
Here's the details on exactly how to get the best price on a new Chevrolet Equinox ... or any other vehicle.
Good luck and all the best,
Josh
