2008 Chevy Equinox Sport Revealed

GM is introducing a Sport version of its Equinox SUV next year to enhance visibility of a model that will most likely be redesigned in 2008. The new Equinox will probably be based on the new Saturn Vue we saw at the L.A. Auto Show, but the pre-redesign 2008 Equinox Sport will also bring some unique attributes to the table.

Even without the classic SS badge we expected, the Sport features a pretty good power boost with a new 3.6-liter V-6 that produces 263 hp here, matched to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Sport also comes with a revised suspension, as well as standard stability control, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, 18-inch alloy wheels and a tire pressure monitoring system.

While we think the Equinox Sport is a good idea, it could bring the already pricey SUV – the Equinox LS starts at $22,180 – into a much higher bracket than would be comfortable for shoppers. We’re also perplexed by a third-quarter 2007 release date – which would be in the fall – since the model isn’t radically revised. By that time, the new Saturn Vue will have been on sale for a few months, attracting buyers to a GM SUV that’s much improved compared to the Equinox’s current generation. It also makes us wonder when exactly that new Equinox will arrive. If it’s the 2008 calendar year it will almost certainly leave GM’s biggest brand behind the new-model curve.

More photos below.

Comments

LOVE THE SLICK LOOK OF THE AGGRESSIVE EXTERIOR AND REVISED INTERIOR. THE BLUE LIGHTING IS PLUS. THE EGRONOMICS HAS MUCH IMPROVED. WOULD DEFINITELY CONSIDER THIS CAR.

american car makers finally started stepping their game up and making better cars.

Can they put the windows' switches back on each door, and preferably, on the drivers door PLEASE...?

I think it still looks like crap.

Honestly, what is one, just one, GM vehicle other than the C6 Corvette that has looked good in the past generation or so?

I have been hoping and praying that GM would join the rest of the world and bring cars people would want to the scene, but now I get this? Yet another GM car I can pass on!

Only their Saturn brand has any excitement in its line up, the Outlook is not only gorgeous it is both powerful and efficient (for something that size at least).

I hope GM starts killing brands, like Saab.

Ford Motor Company first came out with the headlights that are turned up on the outside. You remeber the Ford Contour. After this car failed to make a hit with the American CAr Owners they discontinued the Ford Contour and the Mercury Mistake, I mean Mistique and those dopey looking turned up headlights.
I guess since the chevy designers could not come up with any design of their own, they looked thru the Ford trash bin and found those dopey looking headlights.
They first started using them on their full size pickups and finally got rid of them when they came out with their redesigned pickups, but are continuing to carry them on their vehicles such as the Equinox and their small pickups.

does anyone know what the hell this guy is talking about?

GM is doing an excellent job with Saturn. I hope they don't lose sight of Chevy.

Some of these comments are ridiculous. You can't get your point across as easily on a blog as you can in person. So you have to write clearly and proofread what you write before you post it. There is no point in posting a comment if no one can understand the point you are attempting to convey.

The Equinox had an interesting face when it was introduced. I'm sad to see the design hasn't aged well. It is already starting to look dated. This sport version has 18" wheels but they look small on this vehicle. The high wheel arches and bulbous rear of the Equinox have always made the vehicle look more mini-van than SUV. I'm disappointed to see Chevy continue to use the gray "add-on" ports on their SS line of vehicles. Instead of making the vehicles look upscale, they have the opposite effect.

The interior is an upgrade, however. The lighting treatment is nice. I could do without the radio preset freqencies listed on the display. It looks cluttered and takes away from the otherwise clean look of the audio system, which is light-years ahead of the terrible radio GM had used for years. The only other change I would make to the nice interior of this vehicle would be to lose the gold bowtie on the steering wheel. An embossed black bowtie would be much better.

I really like the new rims but thats just about the only change you see on the outside. And it would be a little better if they could put the switches for the windows on your door because it gets confusing some times

I drive the 2006 Equinox (co. car - I would never buy one) aside from looking like a grocery getter, the car is a welcomed relief from my previous co. car (Jeep Liberty). The new Sports version of the Equinox, is a cosmetic improvement, but falls far short of making me wanting to go out and buy one - I think Chevrolet is putting lipstick on a pig w/ this renditiion - The folks at Chevrolet should look a little closer @ the Lexus RX350 for design ideas.

Drock:

Are you kidding? The Lexus is a large LUXURY crossover and is priced 10s of thousands over the Equinox. If you want to compare this small/midsize SUV to an offering from precious Toyota, compare it to the RAV4.

What you just did is like comparing the new CTS to the Corolla..

Wow, i WISH FEATURES WOULD QUIT BREAKING. i HAVE BEEN WAITING ON A NEW CD PLAYER SINCE jANUARY... JUST GOT IT IN SEPTEMBER...iNSTEAD OF IMPROVING THE 2008. tRY FIXING THE ORIGINAL MODEL.

I just rented the new Equinox Sport while on business for 4 days, and it had about 3600 miles on the odometer. I drove it maybe 120 miles of mixed city and highway driving. I am not sure if my rental was front or all wheel drive, but I would guess just a front driver.

First, the ride is maybe 20% firmer than standard rental Equinox's, but the ride quality is still quite good for a small sports x-utility. Kinda felt like a competent sports sedan, which is a good thing in my book. Steering inputs, both large and small, are rewarded with surefooted and predictable reactions that breed driver confidence. Bumps and potholes were absorbed and dispatched with no more than a satisfying "thunk" that didn't rattle or ruffle the EQ's chassis structure. Cornering attitude was pleasingly flatter than the standard EQ, but I admittedly did not push it all that hard. Steering feel also seemed a tad better, and allowed fairly accurate vehicle placment, but the turning radius was disappointingly wide and made parking a challenge at times. I have read the EQ has electric power steering, but unlike the Chevy HHR's horrible and possibly dangerous electric power steering, the EQ's version seemed fine to me from the standpoint of reacting predictably to driver inputs.

The new engine is noticeably stronger and less thrashy at high rev's than the standard model, plus the manual shift option was fun to use, and worked well at maintaining speed on ascent and descents, as well as keeping the engine spinning and ready to accelerate out of turns. Downshifting to aggressively accelerate on command was smoother and more satisfying that in the full auto mode. Niiice. I was stunned to discover GM's manual-automatic tranny has 6 forward speeds!!!

The interior was a mixed bag. Seating support and perforated leather on the new bolstered buckets are a step up than the standard EQ, but the driver's seat controls are still difficult to access due to the armrest. Adjusting the seat while still or driving is an exercise in your cortortionist tendencies for sure! The ebony (read flat black) interior color is rather drab, and seems to rely heavily on the faux aluminum trim for visual stimulation, although the new blue instrumentation is really cool, as the gauge needles do the "full revolution dance" when you start the engine! The vast dashboard expanse of very cheap looking grained plastic defeats Chevy's attempt to make the Sport look upscale, but on the other hand, there were no distracting reflections on the windshield from the dashboard in full sunlight. There is also faux carbon fiber plastic trim around the radio console that initially looks kinda cool until you realize its just cheap plastic. At least the Tuner Crowd will luv it! I suspect all that black is gonna make the EQ Sport one hot oven in the summer!

Ergonomics were generally pretty good for a GM Product, but still lagging behind products from say Honda, or any of their direct competitor Japanese and European brands. Like I said earlier, the new seats are supportive in the right places for my body, and a definite improvement over the standard EQ's seats, and a quantum leap over my 2006 Impala's. The steering wheel angle is very good relative to the seating position, and is adjustable for height but not reach or rake angle. GM really needs to get with the 21st century and start offering a modern telescoping steering wheel column.

While I'm kevetching, put the power window buttons back on the doors where they belong!!

Rear seat room looked pretty spacious for this class, but I didn't have a chance to fiddle with the back seat adjustments or sit in back cause I was driving!!

The exterior trim package was understated,and for GM, kind of classy, as the new lower body cladding was not overdone as in Pontiac days thankfully long gone. The new black metal mesh grill and colored air intakes lent the EQ SS an air of veiled agressivenes, which was accentuated by the chromed 18" wheels. I would opt for the optional roof rack, as its absence did not imo improve its looks any. The dual exhaust tips were already losing their black colored lining on the inside surfaces, which I found alarming with only some 3k miles on the odometer.

Overall, I would have to say that my short time with the Equinox Sport was fun and revealing, in that I would actually consider buying this car, despite its minor faults. The upgraded engine & suspension are enough to make this car fun to drive! My primary reservations are GM's past and current crappy Quality Control, and their hiring of temporary workers to replace those who are accepting buyouts to retire early. While I like this car, I am afraid ownership would ultimately be colored by disappointing quality issues so common to GM Products I have had in the past as company vehicles. Anyone have additional insights or opinions?

Thanks,and I hope this review is helpful to anyone else curous about the new Chevy Equinox Sport.

I don't know what the Scryer dude is talking about but this car looks good!

They could have mounted the shifter into the center dash or on the column. This would have opend the front floorboard area up a bit and added a more flexible/useful center console. It really looks cramped up there.