[jblackburn]

Good god those things are underpowered pigs. I felt like I was constantly winding it out to 3500+ RPM in normal driving.

Otherwise they're an OK car in my opinion. It's a nice size compared to say, an Escape, but the Escape is 500x better from behind the wheel.

 

[jblackburn]

If you get an AWD 2.4L, sure.

The 3.6 has far more balls.

FWD 2.4 was what I had. 90% of them are the 2.4. And the 3.6 is terrible on gas for its size and can only be optioned on upper trim levels.

GM really needs to put a small turbo engine or worthwhile 4 cyl (is the GM 2.5 any better?) in one, and lose some weight. I think it's due for a complete redesign next year though.

 

[jblackburn]

It's old architecture - but it sells really well. Why mess with what works while also developing a new lighter program? Doesn't make sense.

Also - did you turn Eco off? On the in-laws, the tip-in felt like half the pedal with Eco on. With it off, I was perfectly happy driving it - and clearly so are over 200,000 people a year.

Yep, Eco was off.

The platform is fine. It's not fun to drive, but it's capable and a good size for a family car. The base engine is a huge disappointment in a time where most 4 cylinder engines are actually surprisingly ok. All I'm trying to get at. And I drive a **** Cruze - it's not like THAT'S a fast car.

FWIW, I feel the RAV4 is underpowered as well. The CR-V, CX-5, Santa Fe, Escape w/ Ecoboost...all get around ok. I actually love small crossovers, but this is one I'd pass on.

 

[jblackburn]

Best I could ever get with an Equnox/Terrain 2.4L FWD is 32mpg going 55-65mph. At 75mph+ though the 2.4L is really working to move all that weight and over 4000+ miles I averaged 22-24mpg. Most people like me that drive 80% highway or more average 28mpg or less still. My parents have a 2015 Equinox 2.4L/FWD and drive 80% city, even driving it easy they only average 17-22MPG.

I did about 23.7 for the day in my rental. Heavy city driving. Still, that's better than my family's other V6 small SUVs (01 Escape FWD/05 Liberty 4WD - they'll do that on a 100% highway trip).