The 2012 Chevrolet Equinox is an exciting contender in the mid-size crossover segment. It has the same platform as the GMC Terrain and shares a general aesthetic with both the Chevy Traverse and the latest Malibu. The Equinox's rocker panels are integrated into the doors, narrowing the area over which a passenger must step. The body is stiffened with single-piece side stampings plus high-strength steel in critical areas.

The Equinox benefits from two engines that are more efficient than ever, each making use of variable valve timing and direct injection. A standard 2.4L 4-cylinder makes an impressive 182 horsepower yet delivers 32 mpg on the highway. All but the LS offers an optional 3.0L V6 engine. This engine is now FlexFuel-compatible and capable of 264 horsepower and 29 mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard with both engines. Front wheel-drive is the standard drivetrain, but all-wheel drive is available.

Storage areas are everywhere in the cabin, including an oversized glovebox, a closed storage bin in the instrument panel above the center stack and a closed storage bin under the center armrest large enough for a laptop computer. The rear seats feature MultiFlex, which allows the seats to move back and forth a total of eight inches for the best rear legroom in the segment.

Standard equipment on all trims includes 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, StabiliTrak stability control, traction control, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes, six air bags, an anti-theft system, an XM Satellite Radio-ready system, iPod and MP3 capability, Bluetooth and one year of OnStar service. Power windows, door locks, remote keyless entry, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, as well as power mirrors and automatic headlamps round out the generous standards list.

Optional equipment on the LS trim includes deep-tinted glass and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The LT trim features a premium Pioneer 250-watt speaker system, power seats, steering-wheel audio controls, a remote starter system and a power sunroof as optional equipment.

The top-of-the-line LTZ trim includes chrome trim, projector headlamps and fog lamps, a power liftgate, deep-tint glass, Pioneer speaker system, an upgraded audio system and heated leather seats.

With all this standard equipment, the LTZ can also be outfitted with a navigation system, a power sunroof and 18- or 19-inch chrome wheels.

Powerful And Efficient Engine Selection

Sharp Styling Inside And Out

Following a thorough redesign in 2010, the Chevrolet Equinox hits 2012 with no real changes, aside from a few trim updates. Cyber Gray Metallic and Cardinal Red Metallic have been dropped from the list of available colors, but new chrome 18-inch wheels are now available. Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system has also been added. New standard features include Bluetooth, rear-view camera, collision warning and lane departure warning.

Starting at under $23,000, the 2012 Chevy Equinox is one of the most affordable crossover vehicles in its class, rivaling Honda's CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. The interior features a dual-cockpit design, ice-blue ambient lighting and sophisticated, classy appearance touches that makes it look much more expensive than it is.

Equipment Group 2LT

8 Speakers

AM/FM radio: SiriusXM

CD player

Pioneer Premium 8-Speaker System

Radio data system

Radio: AM/FM Stereo w/CD/MP3/Touch-Screen Display

SIRIUSXM Satellite Radio

Air Conditioning

Automatic Climate Control

Automatic temperature control

Rear window defroster

8-Way Power Driver Seat Adjuster

Power driver seat

Power steering

Power windows

Remote keyless entry

Remote Vehicle Starter System

Steering wheel mounted audio controls

Four wheel independent suspension

Speed-sensing steering

Traction control

4-Wheel Disc Brakes

ABS brakes

Dual front impact airbags

Dual front side impact airbags

Emergency communication system: OnStar Directions & Connections

Front anti-roll bar

Low tire pressure warning

Occupant sensing airbag

Overhead airbag

Rear anti-roll bar

Power Tilt-Sliding Sunroof w/Express-Open

Power Programmable Rear Liftgate

Brake assist

Electronic Stability Control

Exterior Parking Camera Rear

Delay-off headlights

Front fog lights

Front Halogen Fog Lamps

Fully automatic headlights

Panic alarm

Security system

Speed control

Engine Block Heater

Bumpers: body-color

E85 FlexFuel Capable

Front License Plate Bracket

Heated door mirrors

Power door mirrors

Roof rack: rails only

Spoiler

Auto-dimming Rear-View mirror

Compass

Driver door bin

Driver vanity mirror

Front reading lights

Illuminated entry

Inside Self-Dimming Rear-View Mirror

Outside temperature display

Passenger vanity mirror

Premium Cloth Seat Trim

Rear seat center armrest

Tachometer

Telescoping steering wheel

Tilt steering wheel

Trip computer

Deluxe Front Bucket Seats

Front Bucket Seats

Front Center Armrest

Heated Driver & Front Passenger Seats

Heated front seats

Perforated Leather-Appointed Seat Trim

Split folding rear seat

Passenger door bin

17" Aluminum Wheels

Alloy wheels

Rear window wiper

Variably intermittent wipers

3.53 Axle Ratio

Engine, 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) with VVT (Variable Valve Timing) (182 hp [135.7 kW] @ 6700 rpm, 172 lb-ft [232.2 N-m] @ 4900 rpm)

Transmission, 6-speed automatic with overdrive

E10 Fuel capability

Alternator, 120 amps

Axle, 3.53 final drive ratio (Requires all-wheel drive vehicles and (LEA) 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI engine.)

Battery, maintenance free with rundown protection, 525 CCA

GVWR, 5070 lbs (2300 kg) (Requires all-wheel drive vehicles and (LEA) 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder SIDI engine.)

Chassis, all-wheel drive (1LK26 model only.)

Suspension, front independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar, optimally-tuned shocks and hydraulic-ride bushings in front control arms

Suspension, rear independent multi-link with hydraulic rear trailing arm links and stabilizer bar

Suspension, Refined Ride

Steering, power-assist, electric-variable

Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc

Exhaust, single

Wheels, 17" (43.2 cm) aluminum

Tires, P225/65R17 all-season, blackwall (Included and only available with (RSB) 17" (43.2 cm) aluminum wheels.)

LT Exterior Appearance includes body-color bumpers with Charcoal lowers, Charcoal luggage rails, body-color door handles, body-color outside mirrors and 17" aluminum wheels

Tire, compact spare with steel wheel

Luggage rack side rails, roof-mounted, Charcoal

Bumpers, front and rear body-color with Charcoal lowers

Moldings, Charcoal lower rocker

Grille, Charcoal with chrome surround

Headlamps, halogen composite with automatic exterior lamp control

Fog lamps, front halogen

Glass, deep-tinted (all windows except light-tinted glass on windshield and driver- and front passenger-side glass)

Mirrors, outside heated power-adjustable, body-color and integral spotter mirror

Wipers, front variable-speed, intermittent with washer.

Wiper, rear variable-speed, intermittent with washer

Liftgate, rear manual with fixed glass

Door handles, body-color

Audio system, AM/FM/SiriusXM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback capability 7" color touch-screen display, Radio Data System (RDS), speed-compensated volume, auxiliary input jack and outside temperature display (May be upgraded to (UEW) audio system with navigation.)

Audio system feature, Pioneer premium 250-watt 8-speaker system includes mid-range speakers in each door, tweeters in A-pillars, a center channel speaker in upper IP and sub-woofer on the rear shelf.

Audio system feature, auxiliary input jack

Audio system feature, USB port

SiriusXM Satellite Radio is standard on nearly all 2012 GM models. Enjoy a 3-month trial to the 'XM Select' package, with over 170 channels including commercial-free music, all your favorite sports, exclusive talk and entertainment. And now add premium channels to your trial at no-cost. Welcome to the world of satellite radio. (Requires a subscription sold separately by SiriusXM after the trial period. If you decide to continue your service at the end of your subscription, service will automatically renew and bill, at the rates in effect at the time of renewal, until you call SiriusXM at 1-866-635-2349 to cancel. See our Customer Agreement for complete terms at www.siriusxm.com. Available only to those at least 18 and older in the 48 contiguous USA and D.C.)

Antenna, roof-mounted

Bluetooth for phone personal cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system and HMI (Human Machine Interface)

Seats, Deluxe front bucket

LT Interior, Premium Cloth

Seats, heated driver and front passenger

Seat adjuster front, driver 8-way power with power lumbar

Seat, rear, 2-way fore/aft adjustment with 60/40 split seatback and 3-way recline

Console, center with armrest and concealed storage

Armrest, rear center with dual cup holders

Floor mats, carpeted first and second row

Steering wheel, leather-wrapped with audio and cruise controls

Steering wheel controls, mounted audio controls

Steering column, tilt and telescopic

Instrumentation includes speedometer, single trip odometer, fuel level, engine temperature and tachometer

Driver Information Center monitors 26 various systems including, Vehicle Information Menu (oil life, tire pressure, standard/metric units), Trip Information Menu (trip 1, trip 2, fuel range, average fuel economy, instant fuel economy, average vehicle speed) and compass display

Compass display included in Driver Information Center (DIC) (Not available with (UE0) OnStar delete.)

Windows, power with Express-Down on all 4 doors

Door locks, power programmable with power lockout protection

Remote Keyless Entry with 2 transmitters, panic button, content theft alarm activation verification and illuminated entry

Remote vehicle starter system

Cruise control, electronic with set and resume speed

Theft-deterrent system, anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer.

Air conditioning, automatic climate control

Defogger, rear-window electric

Cupholders, 2 front in center console and 2 rear in center armrest with 1 bottle holder in each door

Power outlets, 4 auxiliary with covers, 12-volt includes 1 front of console, 1 in console, 1 in back of console and 1 in cargo area.

Mirror, inside rearview self-dimming

Visors, driver and front passenger illuminated vanity mirrors

Assist handles, front passenger and rear outboards

Map pocket, front seatback, driver and front passenger

Lighting, interior with theatre dimming, center-mounted dome, rear cargo area, dual front map lights, ambient lighting on center stack surround, and center console cupholders (Includes ambient lighting on instrument panel and center console.)

Brakes, brake assist

Brakes, Hill Start-Assist (HAS)

Traction control

StabiliTrak, electronic stability control system

Daytime Running Lamps

Air bags, dual-stage, frontal, driver and right front passenger with passenger sensing system, Thorax side-impact, seat mounted, driver and right front passenger, head curtain, side front and rear outboard seating positions (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owner's Manual for more information.)

Air bag Passenger Sensing System, sensor indicator inflatable restraint, front passenger/child presence detector (Always use safety belts and child restraints. Children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat in the appropriate child restraint. See the Owners Manual for more information.)

OnStar, 6 months of Directions and Connections plan includes Automatic Crash Response, Emergency Services, Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance including Stolen Vehicle Slowdown and Remote Ignition Block, Remote Door Unlock, Turn-by-Turn Navigation with Destination Download (requires navigation radio) and OnStar eNav (where available), OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, Roadside Assistance, Remote Horn and Lights, and Hands Free Calling. (Visit onstar.com for details and system limitations.)

Automatic Crash Response

Stolen Vehicle Assistance

OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation

Rear Vision Camera

Safety belts 3-point, driver and right-front passenger, height-adjustable includes pretensioners

Safety belts, 3-point, rear, all seating positions

Door locks, power operated rear child security

LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for CHildren), for child safety seats

Tire Pressure Monitor System (Does not monitor spare.)