A post today on GMblogs reveals that the 2010 Equinox achieved a rating of 32mpg highway. See below for link and text.
Preliminary GM estimates for the 2.4L DI Ecotec and 6 speed AT were 21/30. They don't reveal the city number, but the official 32 highway number is encouraging. Why? Because it seems to provide most of what people need (or think they need) in a small crossover. And this platform is what GM used for testing their two-mode hybrid drivetrain, so it is feasible to include it in this new platform at some point in the future.
I swiped the ordering information and I see ths information for the 2.4L/6sp/FWD configuration -
- Final drive ratio is only 3.23:1. With the 6AT's tall overdrive and large diameter tires (225/65-17 standard), keeping the rpm just off idle while driving down the road will be a cinch.
- Curb weight is listed as 3761. Quite a bit less than the 2009 model it replaces.
- Cargo volume (rear seat up/down) is 31.4/63.7
- Rear legroom,at 39.9 inches, is comparable to a full size sedan.
- Towing capacity is 1500 pounds. The V6 offers 3500 pounds. While 1500 pounds isn't much, it does allow this 32mpg vehicle to tow a small camper, boat, or cargo trailer.
- Fuel tank is 19 gallons. To get a kilo-tank out of it, you'd need 53mpg. I wonder how much extra can be squeezed out of this powertrain setup?
This is not typically the type of vehicle the membership here would consider. But it is worth noting GM's commitment to bring a new Equinox to market that offers a significant 33% increase in fuel economy compared to the 17/24 rating of the 2009 model.
Here is the announcement from GMblogs. Source -
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives...e_highway.html
Text from the article-
"We had already boasted of hitting the 30 MPG highway fuel economy mark with the Equinox - making it the 9th Chevrolet vehicle to reach that point. Well, weve overachieved on this one.
"We exceeded our initial estimates, reaching an estimated 32 MPG highway fuel economy with the Equinox. This number is far better than either the Toyota RAV-4 or Honda CR-V, and even better than the Ford Escape Hybrid model. Were quite proud of this, and we hope and think it will draw even more customers away from the imports and into the Equinox.
"By the way, this improved highway fuel economy takes the range of the Equinox to 600 miles! You could drive from Detroit to Washington, DC on one tank of gas."
Hybrid Mode
