2006 CHEVY EQUINOX: FLEXIBILITY AND SOPHISTICATION WRAPPED IN A STYLISH PACKAGE
With more than 84,000 sales (US) in its first year, the Chevy Equinox quickly established itself as one of the standouts of the compact SUV segment in 2004. Sleek styling, available all-wheel drive, innovative interior storage and generous rear-seat legroom comfort contributed to Equinox's rookie-of-the-year status, along with anticipated five-star government ratings for left and right frontal and front and rear side impacts.
Equinox is significantly larger, more versatile and efficient than most competitors, while delivering a confident driving experience infused with sophistication not typically found in the segment. Changes for the 2006 model year reflect refinements designed to enhance Equinox's convenience and sophisticated good looks. Body-color outside mirrors are new on LT models, further enhancing their premium styling. Two new exterior colors also are available: Black Amethyst Metallic and Bermuda Green Metallic (premium paint color).
Inside, a revised climate control system features new round knobs and electronic controls and improved system performance. The shifter knob also is revised, while the passenger-side air bag cover is now ebony to match the upper instrument panel. The convenience of available heated front seats has been added to cloth interiors, too, with control switches relocated to the instrument panel.
The five-passenger Equinox is one of the few compact SUVs equipped with a standard V-6 engine. It is powered by GM's 3400 3.4L V-6, rated at 185 horsepower (138 kw) and 210 lb.-ft. (285 Nm) of torque. This durable overhead valve engine is coupled to an electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission. It's a powertrain combination that delivers smooth, strong acceleration along with reduced highway cruising engine speeds for excellent fuel economy.
Customers can also opt for an assuring, on-demand all-wheel-drive system, which delivers power to the front wheels during normal driving conditions but seamlessly transfers power to the rear wheels if front wheel slippage is detected. While primarily intended for on-road use, this AWD system also provides excellent traction and mobility for off-road use.
Interior innovation and convenience
Equinox has a standard adjustable rear seat, which can be moved nearly 8 inches (20 cm) fore or aft, as well as reclined. The 60/40 split-folding multi-flex rear seat provides generous legroom for three full-size adults and with two recline positions. With the seat all the way forward, Equinox offers 34.1 cubic feet (997 L) of cargo space. With the rear seat folded, the maximum cargo space is 67.1 cubic feet (1900 L). Because the rear seatback is split, Equinox can transport up to two rear passengers along with long cargo items. The front passenger seat folds flat, further extending cargo room length. When folded, the hard front seatback can be used as a table or desktop.
Equinox has a comprehensive list of standard comfort and convenience features, including air conditioning, 16-inch wheels, multi-flex sliding and split-folding rear seat, flat folding front passenger seat, manual height adjuster on the driver seat, daytime running lamps, folding outside rearview mirrors, power door locks, mirror and windows, remote keyless entry, dual front map lights and AM/FM stereo with CD player.
Available features include cruise control, leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, heated front seats, six-way power driver seat with manual lumbar adjustment, electrochromic inside rearview mirror with temperature and compass, redundant radio controls on the steering wheel, power sunroof with shade, 17-inch aluminum wheels, OnStar, six-disc CD changer, single-CD with MP3 player; and XM Satellite Radio.
Smooth and solid
Equinox has the longest wheelbase in its segment and is built on a solid body architecture that helps provide a confident driving experience. The structure is complemented by an independent MacPherson strut front suspension and a four-link coil spring layout in the rear, for a smooth, comfortable ride typically associated with larger SUVs. The rear suspension has a trailing arm as well as three additional locating links to facilitate a low, wide load floor and maximize rear passenger space.
Electric power steering is standard on all models and helps provide precise steering control and performance, as well as enabling improved fuel economy because there is no engine-driven power steering pump. An electronic control unit, calibrated for a variety of desired performance characteristics, controls an electric motor mounted adjacent to the steering column to provide the precise amount of assist needed for any given driving situation. Its variable-ratio steering delivers a responsive feel during highway driving and low effort for easier parking.
All Equinox models also are equipped with vented front disc brakes with dual piston calipers and rear brake drums. Anti-lock brakes are now available on all models, with FWD models equipped with a traction control feature.
Safety features
Dual-stage frontal air bags and safety belt pretensioners complement the strong safety cage construction of Equinox. Dual-stage frontal air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of air bag-induced injury. Pretensioners in the outboard front safety belt system deploy at the same time as the frontal air bags to take up slack in the safety belt webbing. Pretensioners also help reduce the amount of occupant movement in the event of a crash to help reduce the risk of injury.
Optional head curtain side air bags act like a protective curtain when deployed, unfolding from the roof rail between the A-pillar and side window header. When the bag deploys in a moderate to severe side impact, it is angled somewhat toward the window to help provide protection for front- and rear-seat outboard passengers.
Rear seats are equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system anchors for child safety seats. This system provides two lower anchors and a top tether anchor in all three rear seat positions to be used to secure a child seat to the vehicle seat structure. These anchorages are designed to make it easier to properly install compatible child safety seats.
Chevrolet makes information about child safety seat installation more accessible to consumers shopping for a vehicle. Specific pages on the Chevy web site tell customers exactly how many car seats a vehicle can hold, where the seats can be placed, and where to find the LATCH hardware. The child seat web pages can be accessed from the main vehicle sections of the Chevy site (
www.chevy.com) or directly at
www.chevy.com/childseats.
OnStar-equipped Equinox models feature OnStar dual-mode (analog-digital) equipment. OnStar's digital equipment also includes enhanced hands-free voice recognition capabilities including more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice recognition accuracy. OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services and OnStar Hands-Free Calling that allows drivers to make and receive voice-activated phone calls using an externally mounted antenna for greater reception.
The OnStar service standard on the 2006 Equinox includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making crash data available to the participating 911 centers to help them dispatch the appropriate live-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster.
# # #
Contacts:
GM
of Canada Communications
Tony LaRocca
Phone: 905-644-1804
Fax: 905-644-3873
E-mail: tony.larocca@gm.com
STANDARD
AND OPTIONAL FEATURES
EXTERIOR FEATURES |
LS |
LT |
Door handles - black |
S |
- |
Door handles - body-colour |
- |
S |
Fog lights - front, projector beam |
- |
S |
Glass - Solar-Ray, tinted |
S |
- |
Glass - Solar-Ray, deep-tinted behind front doors (included with Preferred Equipment Group) |
O |
S |
Mirrors - power remote control, black |
S |
- |
Mirrors - power remote control, body-colour |
- |
S |
Mouldings - bodyside, body-colour |
S |
S |
Mouldings - rocker mouldings, graphite |
S |
S |
Package - Sun and Sound: includes power sunroof, AM/FM stereo with 6-disc CD changer and 7-speaker Premium Pioneer sound system (FWD) |
- |
O |
Roof rack - side rails only, black |
S |
- |
Roof rack - side rails, body-colour |
- |
S |
Roof rack - side rails, body-colour with cross bars |
O |
S |
Spoiler - body-colour |
S |
S |
Sunroof - power, tilt-sliding glass with express open and wind deflector (included with Sun and Sound Package) |
- |
O |
Tires - P235/65R16 all-season, blackwall |
S |
S |
Wheels - 16" x 6.5" steel with bolt-on wheel cover |
S |
- |
Wheels - 16" x 6.5" aluminum |
O |
S |
Wheels - 17" x 7" aluminum (includes P235/60R17 all-season tires) |
- |
O |
Windshield wipers - high-low with three-speed variable delay (intermittent) |
S |
S |
Wiper/Washer - rear-window (intermittent) |
S |
S |
INTERIOR FEATURES |
LS |
LT |
Air conditioning - with air filtration system |
S |
S |
Auxiliary power outlets - 12 volt, 3: front seat, centre console and rear cargo area |
S |
S |
Cargo area - 4 tie-downs on floor |
S |
S |
Cargo area panel system - multi-level cargo area panel system with 3 position shelf (acts as security cover or table) |
O |
O |
Cargo convenience net |
- |
S |
Console - front floor, includes flip up/down armrest, storage bin, slide-out cupholders, glovebox, CD rack, lower storage area, storage pockets (top) and storage nets (lower side) |
S |
S |
Cruise control - electronic with resume, coast and decelerate/accelerate features (included with Preferred Equipment Group) |
O |
S |
Cupholders - 3 front seat and 2 rear seat |
S |
S |
Defogger - electric rear-window |
S |
S |
Floor mats - front and rear, carpeted (included with Preferred Equipment Group) |
O |
S |
Heat ducts - rear seat, floor |
S |
S |
Instrumentation - analogue gauges (includes speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature fuel gauge and GM Oil Life System) |
S |
S |
Lights - includes overhead dome, dual overhead console reading lights and rear cargo area |
S |
S |
Retained accessory power |
S |
S |
Smoker's Package - includes ashtray and cigarette lighter |
O |
O |
Steering column - tilt adjustable |
S |
S |
Steering wheel - leather-wrapped with sound system controls |
- |
O |
Sunshades - LH and RH padded; with vanity mirrors |
S |
S |
Windows - power with driver's express-down feature |
S |
S |
SEATS |
LS |
LT |
Reclining front bucket seats with flat-folding front-passenger seat and plastic panel on seatback |
S |
S |
Custom cloth seating surfaces |
S |
- |
Premium cloth seating surfaces (requires available Preferred Equipment Group 1SB) |
O |
S |
Leather seating surfaces (includes heated front bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel with sound system controls and leather-wrapped shifter) |
- |
O |
Manual 4-way driver adjuster |
S |
- |
Power 6-way driver adjuster (requires available Premium cloth seating surfaces) |
O |
S |
Heated front bucket seats (requires available 6-way power driver seat adjuster and Preferred Equipment Group 1SB on LS model; included with leather seating surfaces on LT model) |
O |
O |
Rear seat - Multi-Flex sliding/reclining rear seats, with the ability to slide 5 cm forward and 15 cm to the rear, includes 60/40 split-folding seatbacks |
S |
S |
SOUND SYSTEMS |
LS |
LT |
All Equinox sound systems include an electronically tuned Delco AM/FM stereo with seek/scan, auto tone control, Radio Data System (RDS), automatic volume control, Theftlock, digital clock and 6-speakers |
S |
S |
AM/FM stereo with CD player |
S |
S |
AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback |
O |
O |
AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer |
O |
O |
7-speaker Premium Pioneer sound system (requires up-level sound system) |
O |
O |
XM Satellite Radio: Features dozens of channels of commercial-free music as well as the best in news, sports, talk, comedy and more. Digital quality sound with coast-to-coast signal coverage. Includes three free trial months beyond which service fees apply. |
- |
O |
MECHANICAL |
LS |
LT |
Battery - ACDelco with run-down protection |
S |
S |
Brakes - power, front disc/rear drum |
S |
S |
Brakes - 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS); optional on FWD |
O |
O |
Brakes - 4-wheel anti-lock braking system (ABS); standard on AWD |
S |
S |
Drive - all-wheel (AWD) |
O |
O |
Engine - 3.4L 3400 V6 with SFI |
S |
S |
Engine block heater |
S |
S |
Exhaust system - aluminized stainless steel |
S |
S |
Steering - electric, power, rack-and-pinion |
S |
S |
Suspension - 4-wheel independent |
S |
S |
Transmission - 5-speed automatic |
S |
S |
Trailer Towing Package - includes 4-pin harness connector and trailer hitch receiver |
O |
O |
SAFETY AND SECURITY |
LS |
LT |
Air bags - dual-stage, driver and front-passenger, frontal |
S |
S |
Air bags - front to rear, roof-mounted head curtain side-impact |
O |
O |
Brake/transmission shift interlock |
S |
S |
Door locks - automatic power, programmable with lock-out protection |
S |
S |
Door locks - rear doors, child-security |
S |
S |
Headlights - Daytime Running Lights with automatic light control |
S |
S |
Keyless entry system - remote |
S |
S |
OnStar In-Vehicle Communications and Assistance Service - includes one-year Safe & Sound Plan (includes auto-dimming, electrochromic interior mirror with compass and exterior temperature display, leather-wrapped steering wheel with sound system controls and leather-wrapped shifter) |
- |
O |
Safety belts - front shoulder, height adjustable, dual mode retractors with pre-tensioners |
S |
S |
Safety restraints - LATCH (Lower Anchors and top Tethers for Children), in all rear seating positions |
S |
S |
Theft-deterrent system - PASSLock |
S |
S |
Theft-deterrent system - alarm, programmable, audible/visible |
S |
S |
Traction control - electronic (FWD only); included with available anti-lock braking system (ABS) |
O |
S |
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment.
SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
Models: |
Chevrolet Equinox LS FWD, AWD; LT FWD, AWD |
Body style / driveline: |
5-passenger, 4-door SUV, front-engine, front- or all-wheel drive |
Construction: |
Welded galvanized steel monocoque |
EPA vehicle class: |
Compact sport utility vehicle |
Manufacturing location: |
Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada |
Key competitors: |
Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Toyota RAV4, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander, Land Rover Freelander |
Engine
| |
3400 3.4L V-6 (LNJ) |
Type: |
3.4L V-6 |
Displacement (cu in / cc): |
204 / 3350 |
Bore & stroke (in / mm): |
3.62 x 3.31 / 92 x 84 |
Block material: |
Cast iron |
Cylinder head material: |
Aluminum alloy |
Valvetrain: |
Overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder, hydraulic roller valve lifters |
Ignition system: |
Coil on plug |
Fuel delivery: |
Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
Compression ratio: |
9.5:1 |
Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm): |
185 / 138 @ 5200 |
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): |
210 / 285 @ 3800 |
Recommended fuel: |
87 octane |
Emissions controls: |
Heated oxygen sensor, split-brick close-coupled catalytic converter, exhaust gas recirculation, evaporative collection and purging system |
Estimated fuel economy |
|
Mi/imp.gal (city / hwy / combined) |
FWD:22 / 33 / 26
AWD:22 / 31 / 25 |
L/100km (city / hwy / combined) |
FWD:12.6 / 8.5 / 10.7
AWD:13.1 / 9.0 / 11.2 |
Transmission
Type: |
5-speed automatic |
Gear ratios: (:1): |
|
First: |
4.69 |
Second: |
2.94 |
Third: |
1.92 |
Fourth: |
1.30 |
Fifth: |
1.00 |
Reverse: |
3.18 |
Final drive ratio: |
2.65 |
Chassis/Suspension
Front: |
Independent MacPherson struts |
Rear: |
Independent 4-link w/coil springs and trailing arm |
Steering type: |
Power rack and pinion |
Steering ratio: |
19.4:1 |
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: |
3.8 |
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): |
41.83 / 12.75 |
Brakes
Type: |
Power front disc/rear drum, optional anti-lock brakes |
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): |
front: 11.65 x 1.02 / 296 x 26 |
Drum diameter x width (in / mm): |
rear: 9.84 x 1.7 / 250 x 45 |
Wheels/Tires
Wheel size and type: |
std: LS 16-inch x 6.5-inch steel; LT 16-inch x 6.5-inch aluminum
opt: 17-inch x 7-inch aluminum. |
Tires: |
std: LS/LT: Bridgestone P235/65R16 all-season steel-belted radial blackwall tires
opt on LT: Bridgestone P235/60R17 all-season steel-belted radial blackwall tires |
Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm): |
112.5 / 2857 |
Overall length (in / mm): |
188.8 / 4795 |
Overall width (in / mm): |
71.4 / 1814 |
Overall height (in / mm): |
67.0 / 1703 |
Track (in / mm): |
front: 61.6 / 1565
rear: 61.8 / 1570 |
Approach angle (deg): |
23.1 |
Departure angle (deg): |
33.4 |
Breakover ramp angle (deg): |
14 |
Minimum ground clearance (in / mm): |
7.9 / 201 |
Ground to rear load floor (in / mm): |
FWD: 28.6 / 726
AWD: 28.6 / 726 |
Curb weight, base (lb / kg): |
FWD: 3660 / 1660
AWD: 3776 / 1713 |
Weight distribution (front / rear): |
FWD: 57 / 43
AWD: 56 / 44 |
Interior
Seating capacity: |
5 |
Headroom (in / mm): |
front: 40.9 / 1038
rear: 40.1 / 1018 |
Legroom (in / mm): |
front: 41.2 / 1048
fear: 40.2 / 1021 |
Shoulder room (in / mm): |
front: 55.7 / 1414
rear: 55.9 / 1420 |
Hip room (in / mm): |
front: 51.1 / 1298
rear: 51.4 / 1305 |
Capacities
EPA interior volume (cu ft / L): |
137.0 / 3879 |
Passenger volume (cu ft / L) |
105.9 / 3000 |
Cargo volume (cu ft / L): |
34.1 / 997 - Maximum behind rear seat:
67.1 / 1900 - Maximum behind front seat: |
GVWR, standard (lb / kg): |
FWD: 5070 / 2300
AWD: 5070 / 2300 |
Payload, base (lb / kg): |
FWD: 1290 / 585
AWD: 1157 / 525 |
Trailer towing maximum (lb / kg): |
3500 / 1588 |
Fuel tank (imp.gal / L): |
13.8 / 63 |
