06mariner Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I knew 32 mpg was a joke in the real world ... http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09..._take_road_test Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I knew 32 mpg was a joke in the real world ... http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09..._take_road_test The kind of driving done in a road test like this does not lead to highway-like fuel economy. They repeatedly click off 0-60 runs, and drive really aggressively. That said, it should have at least gotten closer to the city economy number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Car Examiner Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 The kind of driving done in a road test like this does not lead to highway-like fuel economy. They repeatedly click off 0-60 runs, and drive really aggressively. That said, it should have at least gotten closer to the city economy number. It sounds like the sort of car that will get good gas mileage if you're not in a hurry -- letting the tall gearing do its job -- and bad mileage if you are. C/D said in its review they kept it floored all the time because they didn't think it was shifting fast enough -- I didn't feel the need to floor it once in my own test drive of the vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06mariner Posted August 21, 2009 Author Share Posted August 21, 2009 I know I know...still, that is WAY too far off from the numbers they are "bragging" about this SUV getting. And like they stated in the article, people that buy a small suv like this are looking for that mileage. It will be interesting to see what owners get after breaking them in ...ya know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Reynolds Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) Gotta love GM's advertising when it comes to this vehicle.... Even better highway fuel economy than the Ford Escape Hybrid Nevermind the fact the fact that those interested in any sort of hybrid are aware that hybrids don't do their best on the highway. Nor did that informative ad spot point out the fact that the combined rating is around 6 MPG less than that of the Escape Hybrid. Anyhow, I think it should have been apparent from the get go that GM geared the transmission to ace fuel economy testing and nothing else (sounds like another automotive company that I hold near and dear to my heart). I can only imagine how annoying that transmission is with its tendency to pick the highest gear all the time. Edited August 21, 2009 by Michael Reynolds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) I was just thinking back to the other thread about gutless cars and tall tall tall gearing.... "How did we get such great gas mileage from the Equinox? Our patented new technology, FULL TIME OVERDRIVE We want your life to be free of the hustle and bustle of unnecessary acceleration and our extra tall gearing will teach you the value of planning ahead to arrive on time." Actually, the FWD 4-cyl Equinox has a 3.23 final drive which seems pretty tall for a 4-cylinder engine in a 3800lb CUV (by contrast, the Escape has a 3.51 final drive and weighs only 3400lbs) Edited August 21, 2009 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 How about that 230mpg Volt? I'm guessing we should really expect mid-20's. :poke: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydro Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 man, I drive the shit out of my Edge 40% hwy the rest hard stop and go city and average 17.7mpg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) "How did we get such great gas mileage from the Equinox? Our patented new technology, FULL TIME OVERDRIVE We want your life to be free of the hustle and bustle of unnecessary acceleration and our extra tall gearing will teach you the value of planning ahead to arrive on time." I rented 2010 Equinox 1LT FWD in Chicago recently. RichardJensen's comment about the full time overdrive feature isn't much of an exaggeration. The GM 6T/Ford 6F transmission is a perfect example of the rule more forward gears ≠ improved automatic transmission; the Aisin tranny in the previous generation Equinox offered a better driving experience (though everything else about the vehicle did not). The new Equinox's 6T transmission is programmed to use an "eco" shift strategy by default. The end result is that the languid shift response that the 6T/6F is infamous for becomes "let's try to hit 5th gear within 20 m of launch". There is a button on the console to switch the "eco" mode off. Also, the Equinox does have a manual gear selection mode, though it doesn't help much in terms of responsiveness (and the owner's manual even states that it's not intended to simulate a manual transmission, which would be an impossible feat with the 6T/6F anyway). With that said, I managed 26 mpg in the first 60 miles on this particular rental Equinox (mostly city driving, with "eco" mode off), which had about 2,400 miles on it. Other than the sometimes infuriating transmission and limited outward visibility, I actually liked the new Equinox. Edited August 21, 2009 by aneekr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Now with 6 forward gears, I wonder if GM has programmed the vehicle for 3rd gear starts instead of the old 2nd gear start once seen in GM's midsizers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I wonder how second rate this vehicle will look against the likes of a 2.0 Ecoboost Edge. I hope I don't have to wonder too long... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guesswhoscomingtodinner Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I knew 32 mpg was a joke in the real world ... http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09..._take_road_test I'm not sure who is better at tricking the EPA test cycles for Monroney Label bragging rights. GM or Toyota. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 I parked next to 2010 Equinox at the hotel I'm staying at and I was down right shocked at how big it was...it was nearly the same size as the Sienna and Kia Minivans I've been driving out here. I know the previous gen ones where roughly the size of the first Gen Explorers too...its a BIG small SUV. My sister got an Escape last week and I'll have to check it out when I get home next weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtstakelin Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 Big vehicle, small 4 banger doesn't equal good FE...Period. My 4 banger escape got around 23ish in the city but it wasn't as big as this is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 How about that 230mpg Volt? I'm guessing we should really expect mid-20's. :poke: That was a typo......the Volt only gets 23-mpgs hwy. The "0" on the end got added on by mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted August 21, 2009 Share Posted August 21, 2009 (edited) First time I've seen the 10 Equinox. All I can say is it's blah. Nothing about the style of this vehicle, nor perforamce (from what I read), intrigues me. Edited August 21, 2009 by V8-X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
156n3rd Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Chevy schit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
06mariner Posted August 23, 2009 Author Share Posted August 23, 2009 I rented 2010 Equinox 1LT FWD in Chicago recently. RichardJensen's comment about the full time overdrive feature isn't much of an exaggeration. The GM 6T/Ford 6F transmission is a perfect example of the rule more forward gears ≠ improved automatic transmission; the Aisin tranny in the previous generation Equinox offered a better driving experience (though everything else about the vehicle did not). The new Equinox's 6T transmission is programmed to use an "eco" shift strategy by default. The end result is that the languid shift response that the 6T/6F is infamous for becomes "let's try to hit 5th gear within 20 m of launch". There is a button on the console to switch the "eco" mode off. Also, the Equinox does have a manual gear selection mode, though it doesn't help much in terms of responsiveness (and the owner's manual even states that it's not intended to simulate a manual transmission, which would be an impossible feat with the 6T/6F anyway). With that said, I managed 26 mpg in the first 60 miles on this particular rental Equinox (mostly city driving, with "eco" mode off), which had about 2,400 miles on it. Other than the sometimes infuriating transmission and limited outward visibility, I actually liked the new Equinox. How was the view out back ...of all the pictures I looked at I never noticed how small those rear windows looked. Not the second row but the quarter ones ....they look obscenely tiny!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 How was the view out back ...of all the pictures I looked at I never noticed how small those rear windows looked. Not the second row but the quarter ones ....they look obscenely tiny!? I can't imagine there'd be much visibility outta those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 How was the view out back ...of all the pictures I looked at I never noticed how small those rear windows looked. Not the second row but the quarter ones ....they look obscenely tiny!? Hi 06mariner- outward visibility in the Equinox is constrained all around by thick pillars, especially the C/D pillar, and a high beltline. To me, GM put form over function with the Equinox's styling. The rearview camera would definitely be a worthwhile option (my rental Equinox didn't include that feature). Better yet, for future crossover vehicles GM should take some lessons from Ford and Subaru, as the Escape/Mariner/Tribute and Forester both provide excellent visibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted August 24, 2009 Share Posted August 24, 2009 Hi 06mariner- outward visibility in the Equinox is constrained all around by thick pillars, especially the C/D pillar, and a high beltline. To me, GM put form over function with the Equinox's styling. The rearview camera would definitely be a worthwhile option (my rental Equinox didn't include that feature). Same thing with the Traverse.. and the Camaro... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.