| The sport utility market continues to expand | | | | experience you would need to opt for the |
| despite higher than normal gas prices. The | | | | TrailBlazer or get the Freelander. Okay, I |
| reason? Because, these | | | | digress. |
| do-almost-everything-vehicles provide just | | | | |
| what consumers want. Sure, sales are down | | | | The Equinox is available as either a front |
| right now, but they will recover as more | | | | wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle. |
| economical vehicles enter the mix. SUVs carry | | | | Seating five passengers, the Equinox comes |
| people, haul stuff, pull stuff, can go | | | | equipped with a 3.4L V6 that produces 185hp. |
| off-roading [okay, maybe not the Equinox], | | | | The engine is paired with a five-speed |
| provide superior handling than many cars, | | | | automatic transmission; no manual |
| etc. Fortunately, not all are gas guzzlers | | | | transmission is available. A traction control |
| either. Chevrolet's Equinox and the Land | | | | system is standard with the front wheel drive |
| Rover Freelander are two that come to mind. | | | | Equinox while all models come equipped with |
| Let's take a look at these two compact SUVs. | | | | ABS and electric steering. Standard equipment |
| | | | for the Equinox includes power windows, power |
| Chevrolet Equinox - I like the looks of the | | | | mirrors, and power locks with Remote Keyless |
| Equinox, Chevy's car-based SUV that is only | | | | Entry; AM/FM stereo and CD player with six |
| slightly smaller than the mid-size | | | | speakers; and air conditioning. The Equinox |
| TrailBlazer. By car-based I mean a vehicle | | | | has received a 5 star rating from the |
| that handles and drives more like a car and | | | | National Highway Traffic Safety |
| is actually built on a car platform [like the | | | | Administration for frontal crash and |
| Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, for example]. | | | | side-impact crash tests. Starting prices for |
| This means that the Equinox is built chiefly | | | | the Equinox are very competitive with |
| for the road, so if you want an off road | | | | comparable models in its class. |