More Details on Chevy Equinox's 'Eco' Mode
Hop in the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox, and you may notice an “Eco” button ahead of the automatic gearshift. It comes in four-cylinder versions of the Equinox. In other cars, “Eco” or “Econ” buttons can limit A/C usage or, in the case of the Honda Insight and Toyota Highlander Hybrid, scale back accelerator sensitivity. The goal is the same: Improving fuel efficiency.
The Equinox’s example is one of the few such buttons we’ve seen in a non-hybrid that actually influences the way the engine and transmission react. Thanks in part to that button, GM says the four-cylinder Equinox achieves an impressive EPA-rated 32 mpg on the highway. Eco mode doesn’t come without a cost to the driving experience, though. At a press event last Friday near our Chicago offices, GM program engineering manager Doug Smith gave us a rundown.
Specifically, Eco mode locks up the Equinox’s torque converter at lower speeds — most automatics do this at highway speeds — and changes shift patterns in the four-cylinder’s six-speed auto. It cuts the engine’s speed at idle, too, but it doesn’t affect the accelerator pedal. The net effect? About 1 mpg more with it on, Smith said.
“It could have a broader range,” he said. “We could get a lot more out of it than we did … but drivability has to be within certain acceptable limits.”
What are the compromises? For starters, in Eco mode the engine may start lugging at 40 or 50 mph, Smith said, like a manual transmission that’s shifted too early into its topmost gear. At idle speed, the engine can come off a bit coarse-sounding. The Equinox has an Active Noise Cancellation system that can lower undesirable sounds by up to 20 dB at certain frequencies, according to GM engineer Jim Vallance.
Smith’s characterizations may have been too harsh. We puttered around in a four-cylinder Equinox all over Chicago, and the Eco button doesn’t appear to cause any noticeable changes — until you get on the highway.
When Eco mode is engaged on the highway, there isn’t a burst of acceleration when you hammer down the gas pedal to pass; there's no big kickdown in gears by the transmission. Instead, you must learn to push the accelerator with gusto, and you’ll be greeted with steady acceleration but not enough to get out of the way of barreling traffic. Since the fuel efficiency gain in Eco mode is relatively minor, most drivers will likely leave it off in highway traffic.
The four-cylinder isn’t the most potent drivetrain, but for EPA highway mileage in the 30s, it would have to be far pokier to merit more complaints.
Stay tuned later this week for Cars.com’s full review of the Equinox.
Mike Hanley contributed to this report.
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Is the ECO button a set-it-and-forget-it or do you have to push it each time you turn on the car? If the former, people will bring in their cars to the dealer with complaints; if the latter, few will likely remember to activate it.
Brady,
it remains on after you shut off the car yes. And a green light is lit on the gauge cluster when it is engaged as well.
"Since the fuel efficiency gain in Eco mode is relatively minor, most drivers will likely leave it off in highway traffic."
So, if it is left off, how can it be considered towards the EPA rating?
This past weekend my wife and I test drove the 4 and 6 cylinder versions, LT and LTZ. The 4 is the better choice of the two as the 6 felt somewhat slow and on the heavy side. While test driving the 6 the check engine light came on and the salesman tried to say this was normal. It was probably something minor but on a new vehicle you don't expect to see such a thing. Both interiors were the best I've ever seen from GM, however the center stack was quite busy with all of the buttons. I didn't have a problem with it but the sales rep said they've heard other similar comments.
I think the 4 drove the best as it felt balanced and was very quiet. I can see the FWD 4 cylinder possibly being a hit if people can get over GM being bankrupt. The only thing I really didn't like was the steering but that could be due to me being use to my 5 Series. Personally I would avoid the LTZ model as it stickered at $34k and change as that's way to expensive for a midsize GM suv. I couldn't fault anyone buying the FWD 4 cyl version as it's an impressive package all around. My wife wants to think it over as she was considering the RDX and an Outback before this test drive. I'm looking forward to the Cars.com review as maybe it'll offer additional insight.
$34k is not too expensive for what you get. A loaded RAV4 is about $31-$32k with far less content. $354k is basically fully loaded for the I4 LTZ model and you get a lot of stuff for that money.
I dont think the center stack is any busier than the Accord or a host of other current models. Based on the pics I've seen everything seems logical.
Dave:
The Equinox will be in production long after GM exits bankruptcy. If someone has a problem buying from a bankrupt automaker they can just wait until August to buy an Equinox. GM should be out in a couple of weeks.
DW,
I think the June sales will be a shock in regards to people buying from GM. I don't think they're worried about it at all. I doubt many people are equipping an Equinox with dual TV screens et al to get it up to $34K. The 4 cyl will be the big seller and even a 2LT is $25,400.
This is by far one of the most anticipated models I've noticed in terms of search here on the blog. So when you see a lot of coverage about it this week we're not going overboard, people want to know more.
At $34,000 you are getting into GLK territory. The Equinox is no GLK or RDX for that matter, not even close.
Pam,
While you can certainly get an Acura RDX for around $30K these days you're not getting a GLK off the lot for under $40 and inventory is really limited. The top price in Chicago for a GLK is $51.
I'm not saying $34K for a 4 cyl Equinox isn't high, but again, it's the fact that you get one well equipped for $25 is the big deal.
Saying the Equinox is overpriced without comparing it to other similar fully loaded small/medium crossovers is just silly. A loaded Murano is about $37k. A loaded RAV4 is over $30k. A loaded Edge approaches $40k. The Venza is a little larger but offers similar drivetrains and hp and tops out at over $35k. You just cant compare a fully loaded vehicle from a mainstream brand to a stripped down luxury vehicle of similar price and say the former is "overpriced".
Loaded RAV4 is over $31k and loaded Vue Redline is about $35k.