Full Description: Stylish and comfortable the 2013 Chevy Equinox is one of our top choices in the highly competitive segment of compact crossovers. Vehicle overview:In an attempt to stand out in a crowded field the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox goes tire-to-tire with its competition including long-standing segment favorites from Honda and Toyota. It offers style refinement functionality and comfort plus additional high-tech features for 2013 that help it stand out in this increasingly electronics-heavy world.One of the best traits of the Equinox is its expandable (and expansive) rear passenger quarters. A sliding second-row seat does the trick allowing limo-like legroom for those second-row passengers. Additionally the Chevy's quiet comfortable ride seems more like that of a full-size crossover rather than a compact. Indeed the Equinox stretches the definition of "compact crossover" measuring up to 10 inches longer than its like-priced rivals.In addition to the entry-level four-cylinder engine the Equinox offers a V6 which is bigger and more powerful this year. The 182-horsepower inline-4 provides adequate performance and high EPA fuel mileage estimates though in practice we've found those to be rather optimistic. The muscle-bound 301-hp V6 provides strong acceleration while its mileage estimates are understandably quite a bit less.Like its GMC Terrain twin the 2013 Chevy Equinox does have a few minor weaknesses. Despite its greater exterior size it doesn't match the generous cargo capacity of some competitors such as the Hyundai Santa Fe Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It also comes up a bit short in terms of maneuverability when measured against sportier compact crossovers like the Ford Escape Kia Sportage and Volkswagen Tiguan. These quibbles aside the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox's well-rounded nature makes it one of the top choices in this segment.2013 Chevrolet Equinox models:The 2013 Chevrolet Equinox is available in LS LT and LTZ trim levels.Standard equipment for the LS includes 17-inch alloy wheels full power accessories keyless entry air-conditioning cruise control a partial power driver seat (height adjustment only) a sliding and reclining rear seat a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with audio controls Bluetooth phone connectivity OnStar emergency communications and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player satellite radio an auxiliary audio jack and a USB/iPod interface.The LT trim level is divided into two different models 1LT and 2LT. The 1LT comes with rear privacy glass roof rack side rails heated mirrors a rearview camera upgraded cloth upholstery a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an upgraded sound system with a 7-inch touchscreen and iPod/USB audio interface. Stepping up to the 2LT adds foglamps remote ignition automatic climate control heated front seats an eight-way power driver seat an auto-dimming rearview mirror and an eight-speaker Pioneer sound system.Spring for the top-of-the-line LTZ and you'll get automatic headlights a power liftgate rear parking sensors perforated leather upholstery an eight-way power passenger seat and driver memory settings. The LTZ V6 also gets firmer suspension tuning.Many of the standard features found on the upper trim levels can be added to less expensive models via optional packages. Other options include 18- and 19-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels a sunroof a navigation system with MyLink smartphone app integration (includes Bluetooth audio) and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. The Safety package includes rear parking sensors and collision and lane departure warning systems.2013 Highlights:For the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox a 3.6-liter V6 replaces the previous 3.0-liter V6 as the optional engine. There are also a few new available features including a revised touchscreen interface smartphone app integration (Chevy's MyLink) a rear-seat entertainment system a power passenger seat and a remote garage door opener.Performance & mpg:Every 2013 Chevrolet Equinox comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 hp and 172 pound-feet of torque. All Equinoxes regardless of engine come with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is optional.In Edmunds testing a front-drive Equinox with the four-cylinder went from zero to 60 mph in 9.3 seconds an average number for this segment. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 20/29/23 with all-wheel drive. In our experience the Equinox has fallen short of these impressive estimates especially on the highway.Available on all trims but the LS is a 3.6-liter V6 good for 301 hp and 272 lb-ft of torque. We have yet to test the Equinox with this new V6. The EPA fuel mileage estimates stand at 17/24/20 for the V6 with front-wheel drive and 16/23/19 with AWD.Safety:The 2013 Chevy Equinox comes standard with antilock disc brakes traction and stability control front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. Also standard is GM's OnStar emergency communications system which includes automatic crash notification an emergency assistance button remote door unlock and stolen vehicle assistance. A rearview camera is standard on all trims except the LS. Standard on the LTZ are rear parking sensors and warning systems for frontal collision and lane departure.In Edmunds brake testing an Equinox came to a stop from 60 mph in 122 feet -- an average distance for this type of vehicle.In government crash tests the Equinox received an overall score of four stars out of a possible five. Within that rating it received four stars for overall frontal crash protection and five stars for overall side protection. In frontal-offset side-impact and roof-strength crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the Equinox earned a top "Good" rating.Driving:Deciding which of the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox's two engines is right for you depends on your priorities. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder delivers decent acceleration while returning strong fuel economy (although as noted above we've found it difficult to match the EPA's estimates). The 3.6-liter V6 delivers significantly better performance in everyday driving while also increasing the towing capacity from 1500 to 3500 pounds.Otherwise driving the Equinox is an unremarkable experience with so-so handling and a vague feel to the steering compared to some sharper competitors. But realistically we suspect this won't be an issue for most buyers. More likely the lack of rear visibility and the poor video quality of the rearview camera will provoke complaints. On the plus side the Equinox's quiet cabin comfortable ride quality and highway stability make it a great choice for long road trips. For those downsizing from a larger SUV the Equinox is certainly worth considering.Interior:The Chevy Equinox boasts a stylish cabin filled with premium touches. The available two-tone color schemes are eye-catching and perfectly complement the dashboard's elegant swooping dual-cowl design. Granted the materials themselves are only average in terms of quality but all in all the Equinox's interior looks more deluxe than those of most others in this segment.This year's Equinox benefits from a new touchscreen infotainment interface (on LT and LTZ) that features customized menu features just like a smartphone. It can also be enhanced with the optional MyLink system which uses Bluetooth streaming audio to enable integration of smartphone apps such as Pandora and Stitcher. MyLink's menus are well organized but the occasional sluggish or non-registered responses to touch inputs can be annoying.The Equinox boasts a nice expanse of passenger room with 60/40-split rear seats that slide back to provide substantial rear legroom. The rear seatbacks also recline meaning second-row occVisit Mr. Care Auto online at www.mrcareautoin.com to see more pictures of this vehicle oAir Conditioning,1 in back of console and 1 in cargo area.,1 in console,12-volt includes 1 front of console,120 amps,172 lb-ft [232.2 N-m] @ 4900 rpm),2 front in center console and 2 rear in center armrest with 1 bottle holder in each door,2-way fore/aft adjustment with 60/40 split seatback and 3-way recline,2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) with VVT (Variable Valve Timing)(182 hp [135.7 kW] @ 6700 rpm,3-point,3.23 final drive ratio (Requires 1LF26 model and (LEA) 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI engine.),4 auxiliary with covers,4-wheel antilock,4-wheel disc,4960 lbs. (2250 kg) (Requires front-wheel drive vehicles and (LEA) 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI engine.),525 CCA,80-watt 6-speaker system mid-range speakers in each door and tweeters in the A-pillars.,all seating positions,all your favorite sports,Alternator,ambient lighting on center stack surround,and center console cupholders,Antenna,armrest,Assist handles,Audio system feature,Axle,battery,Black,blackwall (Included and only available with (RSB) 17" (43.2 cm) aluminum wheels.),Bluetooth for phone personal cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system and HMI (Human Machine Interface) (Bluetooth for phone only when equipped with (UE1) OnStar. Deleted with (UE0) OnStar delete. Bluetooth for phone is included with all LT and LTZ models as part of the (UP9) Chevrolet MyLink.),body-color,brake assist,Brakes,Bumpers,center-mounted dome,Charcoal lower rocker,Charcoal with chrome surround,compact spare with steel wheel,Compass display included in Driver Information Center (DIC) (Not available with (UE0) OnStar delete.),Console,Cupholders,Daytime Running Lamps,Defogger,Door handles,driver and front passenger,driver and front passenger illuminated vanity mirrors,driver and right-front passenger,Drivetrain,dual front map lights,electric-variable,Engine,engine temperature and tachometer,exclusive talk and entertainment. And now add premium channels to your trial at no-cost. Welcome to the world of satellite radio. (If you subscribe after your trial period,Exhaust,for child safety seats,front and rear body-color with Charcoal lowers,front center with armrest and concealed storage,front independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar,front passenger and rear outboards,front seatback,front variable-speed,Front-Wheel Drive,fuel level,Glass,Grille,GVWR,halogen composite with automatic exterior lamp control,Headlamps,height-adjustable includes pretensioners,Hill Start-Assist (HAS),inside rearview manual day/night,Instrumentation includes speedometer,interior with theatre dimming,intermittent with washer,intermittent with washer.,LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for CHildren),Liftgate,Lighting,maintenance free with rundown protection,manual climate control,manual-folding and integral spotter mirror,Map pocket,Mirror,Mirrors,Moldings,optimally-tuned shocks and hydraulic-ride bushings in front control arms,outside power-adjustable,P225/65R17 all-season,Power outlets,power with Express-Down on all 4 doors,power-assist,rear,rear cargo area,rear center with dual cup holders,rear independent multi-link with hydraulic rear trailing arm links and stabilizer bar,rear manual with fixed glass,rear variable-speed,rear-window electric,Refined Ride,roof-mounted,Safety belts,Safety belts 3-point,Seat,Seat adjuster front driver power lumbar and power height adjuster,single,single trip odometer,SiriusXM Satellite Radio is standard on nearly all 2013 GM models. Enjoy a 3-month trial to the 'XM Select' package,Steering,Steering column,subscriptions are continuous until you call SiriusXM to cancel. See SiriusXM Customer Agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com. Other fees and taxes will apply. All fees and programming subject to change.),Suspension,tilt and telescopic,tinted,Tire,Tires,Visors,Windows,Wiper,Wipers,with over 170 channels including commercial-free music