Chevrolet always seems like a winner in the auto industry, doesn’t it? Always winning awards, if it’s not their trucks in the spotlight, then it’s definitely their SUVS. Some of the vehicles are giants, like the Chevrolet Equinox. Having been around for a little more than a decade, the Chevy Equinox just entered its third generation.

It’s been 100 years since Chevrolet entered the truck industry, and that’s a milestone all on its own. The auto brand celebrated 100 years with Centennial Special Edition Silverado and Colorado Trucks. Now in 2018, they have a new objective. Chevy trucks are taking on Ford for the number one spot this year. If successful, that would end four decades of Ford being the number one truck in the United States.

Trucks aren’t the only vehicles getting a change to take on the auto industry. Chevrolet SUVs, like their new 2018 Equinox, is also going through some changes. To make it big in the auto industry today, unless building electric, self driving cars, is to make SUVs and crossovers. They’ve become the bread and butter as it were of the auto market, and every automaker out there is changing gears to hit the market while gasoline engines are still the most practical vehicle around.

Unveiled back in September, 2016, we weren’t sure when we’d see the now third generation of the Chevrolet Equinox on the streets. Today, it has some new looks that make it unmistakable from other sport utility vehicles on the road. The new design makes the Equinox look more like a compact SUV or even a crossover, and that also makes it look more modern.

There are four 2018 Chevy Equinox trims, the L (base), LS, LT, and Premier. The standard 1.5L engine averages 32 mpg on the highway - great for such a large vehicle. The 1.5L engine also offers a lot of power with 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Small, turbocharged engines are the future for towing power and fuel efficiency.

The other two engine options available on the Equinox LT and Premier trims are a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel engine. If simply looking for a little more power, the 2.0-liter turbo engine delivers 252 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque, and has a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. With the turbocharged diesel engine, the 2018 Chevy Equinox generates 137 horsepower, 240 lb-ft of torque, and has a best-in-class 39 mpg highway fuel economy, and it is able to travel 592 miles.

Being a compact SUV, it’s clear the fuel economy gets a lift, but cargo room and other great features haven’t been left behind. With the rear seats folded, 63.5 cubic-feet opens up in the cabin. There are also great entertainment features, as per usual. All trims come with a Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system, the standard being a 7-inch color touchscreen with AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth streaming audio and hands-free phone calls, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The third generation of the Chevrolet Equinox has also added some better driving experiences. There is no learning curve that will give drivers a hard time if this is their first time getting behind the wheel of an SUV, and the electric steering definitely offers the driver the control needed to handle such a beast. Plus, this new model is 400 pounds lighter than its 2017 model. No wonder the fuel economy is so good.

Since its release, Chevrolet Equinox sales have reached nearly 2 million units, making it Chevy’s second-best selling vehicle, the Chevrolet Silverado truck being the first. When entering the auto market today, automakers need a solid crossover or SUV to hit hard, and the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is definitely a solid choice.

Looking for your own 2018 Chevrolet Equinox? Start the search on NowCar today.

Photo Source/Copyright: Chevrolet.com