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2008 Chevrolet Equinox Review

July 22, 2008

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

handsomely styled
Car and Driver

ill-fitting plastic, ho-hum cloth upholstery and a general lack of sophistication
Kelley Blue Book

overall quality still significantly trails most rivals
ConsumerGuide

dowdy and utilitarian
Autoblog

The 2008 Chevrolet Equinox has been around for a few years, and while its crossover wedge shape isn't unattractive, it's starting to look its age.

Edmunds says the Chevy Equinox is “part of a growing segment of 'plus-sized' small crossover SUVs.” Kelley Blue Book describes the Equinox as "unmistakably a Chevy with big, gold bowtie badges front and rear, plus angular styling." Car and Driver considers it “handsomely styled,” while Cars.com calls it “an attractive, utilitarian vehicle.” Autoblog, though, deems it "dowdy and utilitarian," even though it’s been “spiffed up with body colored trim and fascias (no more chrome mustache!)..."

Inside, the Equinox has a “clean, industrial-looking design," according to Edmunds. The "large, clear gauges surrounded by faux aluminum accents" are "warmed up by imitation wood" on upscale models. At the top of the ladder, the "Equinox Sport is specially outfitted with exclusive blue-lit instrumentation and ebony accents." ConsumerGuide agrees that the "gauges are easy to read," and adds "climate controls are simple and handy." That said, they note the "power window switches [that] are inconveniently staggered around the center console shift lever." Cars.com says, “Instruments and controls are standard GM-issue, which is fine,” but adds “inside, the Equinox still has some interior trim that belongs on a less expensive model.” Reviewers at Kelley Blue Book are less complimentary. They characterize the Chevrolet "Equinox's well laid-out interior" as one that "begs for more in the way of color and contrast" and note its "ill-fitting plastic, ho-hum cloth upholstery and a general lack of sophistication."

Conclusion

Inoffensive at best, the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox crosses the boundary between butch SUV and softer-styled wagon.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:handsomely styledCar and Driverill-fitting plastic, ho-hum cloth upholstery and a general lack of sophisticationKelley Blue Bookoverall quality still significantly trails most rivalsConsumerGuidedowdy and utilitarianAutoblog The 2008 Chevrolet Equinox has been around for a few years, and while its crossover wedge shape isn't unattractive, it's starting to look its age. Edmunds says the Chevy Equinox is “part of a growing segment of 'plus-sized' small crossover SUVs.” Kelley Blue Book describes the Equinox as "unmistakably a Chevy with big, gold bowtie badges front and rear, plus angular styling." Car and Driver considers it “handsomely styled,” while Cars.com calls it “an attractive, utilitarian vehicle.” Autoblog, though, deems it "dowdy and utilitarian," even though it’s been “spiffed up with body colored trim and fascias (no more chrome mustache!)..." Inside, the Equinox has a “clean, industrial-looking design," according to Edmunds. The "large, clear gauges surrounded by faux aluminum accents" are "warmed up by imitation wood" on upscale models. At the top of the ladder, the "Equinox Sport is specially outfitted with exclusive blue-lit instrumentation and ebony accents." ConsumerGuide agrees that the "gauges are easy to read," and adds "climate controls are simple and handy." That said, they note the "power window switches [that] are inconveniently staggered around the center console shift lever." Cars.com says, “Instruments and controls are standard GM-issue, which is fine,” but adds “inside, the Equinox still has some interior trim that belongs on a less expensive model.” Reviewers at Kelley Blue Book are less complimentary. They characterize the Chevrolet "Equinox's well laid-out interior" as one that "begs for more in the way of color and contrast" and note its "ill-fitting plastic, ho-hum cloth upholstery and a general lack of sophistication." ConclusionInoffensive at best, the 2008 Chevrolet Equinox crosses the boundary between butch SUV and softer-styled wagon.  2008 CHEVROLET EQUINOX STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: "handsomely styled" Kelley Blue Book: "ill-fitting plastic, ho-hum cloth upholstery and a general lack of sophistication" ConsumerGuide: "overall quality still significantly trails most rivals" Autoblog: "dowdy and ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

There are plenty of compact crossovers competing for your dollar. The best in the class of five-seaters is the Honda CR-V, which has controversial new styling but still offers the best dynamics and assembly quality in the class. The Ford Escape and Saturn Vue have been reengineered for the 2008 model year, the Saturn much more heavily. Both are offered with hybrid powertrains, but neither has as much second-row seating room as the Equinox. All three feel considerably more refined than the Equinox, however.

Next Steps:

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See the Chevrolet Equinox in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

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