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