If GM is good at anything, it's good at building vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox crossover SUV. GM is, after all, arguably the company that invented the SUV when it introduced the first Chevrolet Suburban back in 1935. And trucks have traditionally been the most profitable part of the GM product portfolio. Sure the Chevrolet Equinox is a midsize crossover built on a unibody structure, but it's still a Chevy truck, right?
The first Chevy Equinox was introduced as a 2005 model and was built atop GM's "Theta" platform and available with either front- or all-wheel drive. Slightly larger than the Japanese-branded compact competition, and slightly smaller than traditional full-frame SUVs, the Equinox hit the market in its sweetest spot. For many buyers it was hard to imagine a crossover SUV that was better sized for their lifestyles than the Chevrolet Equinox.
But beyond that, the first Chevrolet Equinox was an exercise in transnational engineering. While it was assembled at GM's joint venture plant with Suzuki in Ingersoll, Ontario, the American-designed 3.4-liter OHV V6 engine was actually built in China. And the five-speed automatic transmission behind it came from Japan. That bowtie in the front grille may have shouted America, but the content of the first Chevy Equinox was a multinational brew of bits and pieces.
During the 2008 model year, the Chevrolet Equinox Sport was introduced and included GM's American-made 3.6-liter DOHC V6 and "6T70" six-speed automatic transmission as the functional essence of its attraction. Incidentally, that 6T70 transmission was codeveloped with Ford. The first Chevy Equinox never received much attention, but it sold steadily and well.
A second Chevy Equinox was introduced for the 2010 model year. Again based on GM's Theta platform, little changed in size and still built at GM's Ingersoll plant, the second Equinox featured a choice of two direct-injection engines: a 2.4-liter four or a 3.0-liter V6. Both engines in the second Chevrolet Equinox were backed by the 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission.
The biggest improvement for the second Chevy Equinox was, however, its luscious new sheet metal, upgraded interior materials and better-sorted ride and handling.
