The Equinox is an interesting compact SUV in that is has much larger dimensions than many of the competition. It seats five and has a very spacious back seat to offer plenty of comfort to anyone who rides in or owns this excellent SUV. The one place it falls somewhat short is in the cargo area with a smaller area than much of the competition, but it is one of the only compact SUVs to offer a V6 engine as a powerful option as well as a very fuel efficient four-cylinder engine to give shoppers a great choice at the dealership.

The 2015 model is basically the same as the 2014 model except for the exciting addition of the 4G connectivity and onboard Wi-Fi making the Equinox a mobile hotspot wherever it goes. This will keep all passengers and the driver very happily connected to their apps and social media groups making it easier to convince some passengers to head to the lake for a weekend of fun in the sun. Even though the Equinox offers less cargo room on the inside it capable of hauling up to 3,500 pounds when fitted with the larger engine, allowing more cargo to go on the weekend getaway with the whole family.

Driving the Equinox gives the feeling of a vehicle that is ready to head out for a long haul anywhere an owner wants to go. Along with the exceptional interior space the Equinox offers a very smooth and controlled ride from the highly tuned suspension that literally soaks up the road allowing very few road defects to be felt. To go along with this is a highly responsive steering that handles even the slightest inputs, maneuvering like a champ on the highway, in town or off road. The Equinox is also fitted with a great deal of sound reduction technology to make the ride much more enjoyable and give owners the option to listen to their favorite musical selections instead of the road noise.

At the base model the Equinox is powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine that offers 182 horsepower and 172 lb.-ft. of torque. When paired with the six-speed automatic transmission this powertrain comes in with a fuel efficiency of 22 city/32 hwy mpg in front-wheel drive and 20 city/29 hwy mpg for the all-wheel drive models.

When towing capacity is needed, or just the enjoyment of more power and fuel efficiency isn’t quite as important, the larger 3.6-liter V6 engine is the choice. Offered on the LT and LTZ models this engine brings in 301 horsepower and 272 lb.-ft. of torque. When mated to the same six-speed automatic transmission this power pairing will achieve a fuel efficiency of 17 city/24 hwy mpg for the front-wheel drive models and 16 city/23 hwy mpg for the all-wheel drive versions. This powertrain offers a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds to enjoy and is one of the only V6 engines in this class.

The cabin of the Equinox is its crown jewel offering very generous legroom for each and every passenger as well as easy to use controls in the cockpit area of the driver to be comfortable. The seats are comfortable and there are higher end materials throughout the entire inside of the vehicle giving any occupant a feeling of comfort and style that isn’t always expected from a Chevrolet.

On the outside, the Equinox is big, especially for this class and offers a classy and stylish look that is both attractive and aggressive. The split grill even appears to give the front of the vehicle a mustached appearance and the headlights offer a feeling of interest to take the eye toward the rear of the SUV. The overall appearance shows up with soft curves and interesting lines to give the Equinox a very upscale feeling. Add to this charming exterior some nicely appointed chrome accents and the 17-inch massively spoked wheels that are also available in 18 and 19-inch sizes and the Equinox practically oozes charm from every angle.

The Equinox offers any owner a very nice list of standard features regardless of model. For the LS model the standard features include cruise control, a trial membership of GM’s OnStar with 4G connectivity and Wi-Fi, traction control, electronic stability control and a full array of airbags. Moving up to the LT model additional features include a rearview camera, heated outside mirrors, a roof-mounted luggage rack and upscale trim. At the top of the Equinox ladder the LTZ model adds leather seats, a power front passenger seat, a power tailgate, lane-departure warning and forward-collision alert. Moving through the trim levels makes the Equinox a very versatile and enjoyable vehicle.

The optional features for the Equinox start with all-wheel drive and add lane-departure warning, forward collision alerts for the LS and LT models, a navigation system, an upgraded Pioneer audio system, a sunroof and a rear seat entertainment package with DVD player, two screens and dual wireless headphones. All of these additions to any Equinox allows it to reach up toward an upscale feeling close to luxury giving occupants plenty to enjoy on their long treks to the beach, lake, camping or on any vacation.

As the vehicle itself is larger, the starting price tag for the Equinox is larger than the base model for many of the competitors as well. The LS model of the Equinox starts out near $25,000 and when the LT1 or LT2 is chose the price moves up to $27,000 and $28,000 respectively. The starting price for the top end LTZ comes in around $32,500 and the addition of all-wheel drive will add $1,700 to the price as well as an additional $1,400 if the larger V6 engine is chosen.

Overall the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox offers any shopper a lot to enjoy with excellent space for all passengers, a quiet cabin, up-to-date electronics, a mobile hotspot, and a towing capacity that puts most compact SUVs to shame. The Equinox is an excellent choice for anyone to enjoy for a very long time.