Holden Equinox Reviews

Holden's closing down sale means the Equinox could become one of the best mid-sized SUV bargains out there

CarsGuide scribe Andrew Chesterton isn't the first person that springs to mind when it comes to testing a family SUV, given his family consists of just two humans and their four-legged child, Poppy the corgi. So how will the Holden Equinox LT fit into their inner-city lives?

Holden needs the Equinox to punch above its weight in the SUV stakes. Does the US-designed, Mexican-built five-seater pull it off?

Six months after the launch of the rest of the Equinox lineup, Holden added a diesel engine option for four of the five trim levels available.

I drove the Equinox all over Sydney to various bike tracks to give my daughter intensive daily lessons. It worked, she can now ride! And how did the Equinox do? Let's find out.

If you want a car that does it all, you probably think of an SUV as the option for you. A lot of buyers do, because these vehicles can offer great value, practicality and safety.

Holden's American-looking (although it’s built in Mexico) new mid-size SUV replaces the five-seat Captiva, and will enter the fray against some of Australia’s best and most popular cars.

The mid-point of the Holden Equinox 2018 model range is the LT, which is listed at $36,990.The LT gets a bigger engine than the two lower-spec models - a larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit with plenty of extra poke: 188kW and 353Nm, or about 48 per cent more power and 28 per cent more torque than the entry-level cars - but it uses a bit more fuel, too: 8.2L/100km as opposed to 6.5L/100km for the entry model. Gone, too, is the six-speed automatic, with a new nine-speed auto transmission taking its place for this front-wheel drive only model. A diesel will be available later in 2018.The LT builds upon the LS+ model, upgrading to 18-inch alloy wheels, a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, four USB points (two front, two rear) a 230-volt powerpoint in the second row, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, HID headlights and the provision for roof-rack mounting.All of the same safety tech remains, including a reversing camera, rear parking sensors (complemented by rear parking sensors in this spec), and six airbags, 'Holden Eye' camera safety system with auto emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning. Additionally, there’s blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and auto high-beam assist, and Holden’s 'Safety Alert' driver’s seat, which will vibrate to warn the driver of potential hazards.

If you like a little bit more of everything, the fourth model up the Holden Equinox 2018 model range could be for you - it’s the LTZ, which is available in front-wheel drive at $39,990 or all-wheel drive at $44,290.That may seem like a big jump from front- to all-wheel drive, but that’s because the AWD model employs a clever system that can allow the driver to effectively disconnect the rear drive axle, in order to help save fuel. The AWD model also has revised suspension and a higher ride height.Both the FWD and AWD models use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit with 188kW and 353Nm, and both are available strictly with a nine-speed auto transmission. A diesel will be available later in 2018.The LTZ builds upon the LT model, upgrading to 19-inch alloy wheels, while also adding a hands-free power tailgate, semi-automated parking (parallel and perpendicular), rain-sensing wipers, leather-appointed seats, wireless phone charging, heated front and rear seats, power adjustable driver’s seat, roof rails, DAB+ digital radio, LED headlights and tail-lights, and a Bose premium sound system. That’s on top of the 8.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, four USB points (two front, two rear) a 230-volt powerpoint in the second row, and dual-zone climate control. All of the same safety tech remains, including a reversing camera, rear parking sensors (complemented by rear parking sensors in this spec), and six airbags, 'Holden Eye' camera safety system with auto emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning. Additionally, there’s blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and auto high-beam assist, and Holden’s 'Safety Alert' driver’s seat, which will vibrate to warn the driver of potential hazards.

The Holden Equinox 2018 range offers a lot of choice for buyers, and there's a clear standout in the range... and it's probably not the variant you think it might be.