When searching for a compact SUV, don’t forget to take a look at the 2016 Chevy Equinox for sale. For whatever reason, whenever people want to buy a compact SUV, most immediately look at a Mazda CX-5, Honda CRV, or a Toyota RAV4. Understandable, since Chevy is known for making trucks and so people might not think of them as a first choice with this type of car. Regardless, the Equinox deserves a lot more recognition than it gets. It’s a real gem, but flying under the radar in the 2016 market. It’s received awards like the Most Dependable Compact SUV from J.D. Power, and is an IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2016. On top of that, Chevy added a slew of new features for the 2016 model.
With modern and redesigned styling, a host of features, and multiple awards underneath its belt, it’s time this SUV got the recognition it deserves.
J.D. Power’s Most Dependable Compact SUV
Since the Equinox received J.D. Power’s Most Dependable Compact SUV award, let’s take a closer look at what the study entails. That way, you can see how reliable this vehicle really is.
This is a Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) that examines any issues reported by the original owners of three-year-old vehicles. In essence, it measures a car’s reliability by analyzing any problems that were experienced over the past 12 months of ownership. Specifically, there are 177 problematic symptoms that are grouped into eight major vehicle categories: exterior, engine/transmission, audio/communication/entertainment/navigation (ACEN), interior, driving experience, features/controls/displays (FCD), heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC), and seats.
As far as the ratings go, the Equinox achieved 3/5 in style, 4/5 in comfort, 4/5 in overall performance and design, 4/5 in features and instrument panel, and 4/5 in performance. Overall mechanical quality, body and interior quality, and powertrain quality received a top rating of 5/5. Rounding it all off, the overall dependability was also, obviously, a rating of 5/5, resulting in the Equinox named the most dependable compact SUV by J.D. Power.
The overall 5/5 rating proves the Equinox is among the best in the compact SUV class in that particular category. Quite the award, especially when you consider the compact SUV competition.
2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick
J.D. Power isn’t the only organization that recognized the Equinox, either. The IIHS named it as one of its top safety picks for 2016, awarding it a top rating of Good in all of its crash tests. There are six crashworthiness tests total: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, head restraints & seats, and finally, crash avoidance mitigation. Earning a score of “Good” in the first five categories means the Equinox is able to withstand heavy impacts from all angles, and the crash avoidance mitigation test determines how well the vehicle is able to prevent a collision, or minimize the damage resulting from one. Preventing a collision could be done with advanced electronic safety features, and mitigating the resulting damage could be as simple as front and rear crumple zones and a good airbag system.
Speaking of safety features, among the suite of new features the Equinox received for 2016, there were a handful of advanced safety features added. Available side blind zone alert is a perfect example of how the Equinox could avoid a collision, using radar sensors to “look” for other vehicles in your blind spot. If a vehicle is detected there, say when going down the highway, it will provide a warning in your mirror to let you know it isn’t safe to change lanes.
Rear cross traffic alert is another avoidance system, and also uses radar. When reverse is engaged, the sensors will pick up on other vehicles crossing behind your vehicle from the left and right, and provide a visual and audible warning to alert you of their presence.
The front is also covered by forward collision alert, able to detect if a vehicle in the front of you is getting too close, utilizing both radar sensors and a camera. If it detects a potential crash and you are daydreaming behind the wheel, it will warn you that you are potentially about to rear end the car ahead of you.
It’s safety features like these which help prevent and avoid collisions. Other features like lane departure warning, rear park assist, OnStar Automatic Crash Response, and a host of other advanced features are all available as well, proving that this little SUV makes plenty of room for safety.
Lots of New Features for 2016
Named the Most Dependable Compact SUV, and a Top IIHS Safety Pick for 2016, how could this Equinox get any better? Easy, by having a lot of new features.
The most noticeable of these new elements is the design, which has been updated for a more contemporary look. The inside has been upgraded too, and now has a brand new rear vision camera, along with a 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen. That touchscreen houses the latest version of Chevrolet MyLink, which has been updated for faster response times, and can now support both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
On the comfort and space side of things, the 2016 Equinox now also has premium cloth seats on the L, LS, and LT trims, and the LTZ trim provides supple leather upholstery with a Saddle Up color scheme.
We can’t forget about under the hood, either. While it might not be new, the fact that the Equinox provides best-in-class horsepower from the carried-over 3.6-liter V6 engine ensures that you’ll have plenty of kick for merging on the highway. Not to mention, it gives you the ability to tow up to 3,500 pounds. The standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine? That’s able to give you up to 32 mpg highway, which means you get a nice blend of SUV space and attitude, with the fuel-efficiency of a sedan.
This is why the Equinox deserves more recognition: it has it all. Obviously it’s reliable, dependable, and safe. On top of that, it has a modern and handsome design, with the choice between prioritizing power or fuel-efficiency. Plus, it comes with plenty of comfort and advanced technology features on the inside. So when you are out looking for a compact SUV, don’t forget that Chevy has one ready and waiting…
