The 2016 Chevy Equinox

2016 Chevy Equinox LTZ AWD

2.4 L 4-cylinder engine
6-speed automatic transmission
All-wheel Drive (AWD)

182 horsepower
172 lb.-ft. of torque

Starting at $26,795
This one $37,995

You know me – function over fashion, forever – so I like the look of this Equinox.

That’s not to say I think the Equinox is ugly, not at all.  In fact, the model you’re looking at remains mostly unchanged since its debut in 2009. As in – this vehicle will age well.

A fast way to differentiate previous model years from this 2016 is the new grille and headlights.

Available in 3 trims – LS, LT, LTZ – this is the top LTZ.

Remember, this Equinox is a people-mover; it’s not supposed to press you back in your seat, it’s a work horse, and it does that well. Pickup is decent off the launch, and while your foot will be to the floor while merging or passing, it’ll get there. While towing 1,500 pounds too.

Steering and suspension follow suit – tuned for comfort – and during it all the cabin is quite quiet.

AWD is available in each trim, another +$2,200. And it’s possible to opt-up to a 3.6L V6 engine which outputs 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel economy is rated at 9.9 L / 100 km (combined,) and I achieved a 9.7 L / 100 km. Not sure I’ve ever typed a that I achieved a lower rating before; I drive like a pig remember.

The centre console controls are easily learned, and there’s so many hard buttons!  YES.

Features include remote start, a backup camera, cruise control, 8-way power front seats that are heated, and the cabin’s climate control is automatic.

A + $2,325 sees the addition of a sunroof, higher quality speakers and a navigation system.

The backseat is roomy, one of the largest in the segement, and ready – the rear seats recline. Nice eh.

This makes the cargo area slightly smaller than some of its competitors, but no matter, fold down the 60/40 seats and it’ll be fine.

Like most GM products, standard on all trims is the ability to connect the car to the internet.

Using OnStar with 4G LTE and a built-in WiFi Hotspot, passengeres can connect via the dashboard. Learn more here.

Chevy is great at storage.

Like the two-tiered centre stack cubbies, and the deep armrest storage compartment that easily holds your Happy Meal Spiderman driving glasses.

A + $1,250 Driver Confidence Package adds the en vogue driving aids – blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear park assist and forward collision alert. That’s a well priced package.

However, see the below photo? That orange bar is the forward collision alert, which I found a bit sensitive.  Why is it lighting up when I’m passing on the highway?

If I owned this SUV, a piece of electrical tape would go overtop.

You’re going to start seeing these Equinoxes everywhere.

Look on your drive home tonight. It’s not that I pointed them out, but because this is Chevy’s 2nd best-selling vehicle (1st is a pickup truck.)

Saved the best fact for last…
the Equinox is built in Canada!

The Oshawa, Ontario Assembly plant produces SUV.

Blog tag = Chevy

 

 

Turn a Cadillac Escalade into a Movie Theatre

Last Sunday, I tucked into my 2016 Cadillac Escalade and watched Die Hard: The Internet Security One.

Below – on the left is the second row 9″ screen that’s both Blue-Ray and CD R/W capable, and on the right is the 8″ touch screen in the dash. Crisp eh.

While there’s 4 screens in total, a movie will simutanously play on only the 2 above.

The other 2 screens are embedded into the front headrests, and each play from its own DVD slot.

Ignition off, then insert the DVD into the slot beneath the dash screen.

Bust out a blanket, nestle into one of the second row’s configurable bucket seats – which are heated – adjust the dedicated rear climate control, and hit play.

KeriBlog Cadillac Escalade

There’s 2 ways to listen to the audio:

1 – use the included set of headphones

2 – pump it through the cabin’s 16 Speaker Bose Surround Sound System

To current owners:

I’d remove the headphones from the car and instead use them as my everyday / working ones, because when do you ever see Cadillac headphones walking around?

Exactly.

Regardless of your vehicle’s make and model, watching a movie in your car is fun! And know what this setup would be great for? A 3rd date.

In this Escalde, you can enhance the evening by serving drinks to your crush… from the centre console cooler.

The COOLER.

A 365 mL 6-pack pf Pepsi fits, plus candy.

 

 

The 2015 Ford Expedition fits in Everywhere

It does – took it on some country dirt roads, then above is when I valeted it at the Hazelton Hotel HAHA

(non-Toronto residents: that’s one of the city’s fanciest hotels.)

2015 Ford Expedition – Platinum Trim

3.5 L V6 engine
6-speed automatic transmission
365 hp
420 lb.ft

Starting at $49,999
This one $70,949

Everything in this centre console can be operated while wearing work gloves.

Had to go downtown twice that week, and once during Friday afternoon rush hour traffic at that.

I thought it’d be cumbersome to be in a 20″-wheeled mega machine, but it proved opposite and I had that thing flying around. Handling was direct, then add in all the torque, so when a fast move is needed, it can do it.

Finding parking wasn’t as tough as I thought it’d be either. Above is a tiny downtown side street.

Features include: plenty of USB ports, rear seats are heated and enjoy dedicated climate controls, wood trim and perforated front seats that can both cool and heat, and rain-sensing wipers.

This Platinum trim is equipped with both a rear-view camera and a reversense sensing system, but I barely used either, the sight lines were clear.

Ford does utilitarian really well. And because I’ll choose function over fashion every time, I’m into it #FunctionalLuxury

Ford Expedition

Also into power running boards.

I love being the biggest thing on the road, love the dichotomy, like how this Expedition can seat 8, and instead it was all for troll-doll-sized me.

But getting to drive something so large doesn’t happen often, so the novelty may be influencing my opinion, you should know this. That’s why auto journalists are separated into two groups – one does cars, the other specializes in giant vehicles and heavy-duty trucks.

 

 

Tips on Arriving in a Hired Car

There’s several things to consider when hiring a car during this holiday season.

  • limos are try-too-hard
  • don’t cram in passengers, it creates a clown car effect upon arrival
  • complete all monetary transactions before arriving
  • tip the attendant who opens the door – $2 is average, a $5 bill is classy

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Be mindful of your outfit when exiting, as it easily drags across the door jams covered in winter sludge. Do this, and now you’re walking into the party covered in the mark of amateur hour. 

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All ‘Keri on Driving’ columns here.