2018 Holden Equinox Reviews

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.

The entry-point to the all-new Holden Equinox 2018 model range is the LS, which is available with the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox (at $27,990) or a six-speed automatic (at $29,990).The LS is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, and only comes in front-wheel drive.It has 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, automatic headlights with LED daytime running lights, dual ISOFIX child-seat anchor points, and the automatic has what Holden calls 'Active Noise Cancellation'. Safety is accounted for with a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and six airbags. It misses out on auto emergency braking and an array of other items that you can get as standard in the (albeit slightly dearer) Toyota RAV4 entry grade model.

One step up from the entry point to the all-new Holden Equinox 2018 model range is the LS+, which is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, and only comes in front-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic transmission. A diesel option will be offered in 2018.Just like the LS below it, the LS+ has 17-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, automatic headlights with LED daytime running lights, dual ISOFIX child-seat anchor points and 'Active Noise Cancellation'. The LS+ adds a leather steering wheel and power folding side mirrors.As with the LS, the LS+ has a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, and six airbags - but unlike the base model, the LS+ adds the '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.All that extra kit adds $3000 over the price of the automatic LS model, making for a list price of $32,990.