Keith Lewis, a teacher in Amherst, New Hampshire, was recently caught in a predicament. The 25-year-old had been driving his beloved 1998 Jeep Cherokee since he got his license, and some of his greatest memories involved the SUV. However, the vehicle was slowly starting to fail, and Keith found himself seeking his first new car.
Naturally, he eyed some of Jeep’s newer SUV offerings. Budget certainly wasn’t an issue, but Keith had found that he was tiring of his previous Jeep’s constant, pricey repairs. While that could partly be attributed to an aging vehicle, the prospective car buyer understood that this was an attribute of many of the brand’s vehicles. Having recognized that Jeeps may not be the best option, Keith decided to consider some of the other SUV offerings on the market.
Eventually, he settled on the 2016 Chevy Equinox. Keith was particularly attracted to its size and performance capabilities, although he admitted that he was also lured in by all of the modern technology. While he was previously a self-proclaimed “Jeep fan,” Keith has already been swayed by everything Chevy has to offer.
If you’ve been thinking about pursuing a new SUV, continue reading to see why one car buyer ended up targeting the 2016 Chevy Equinox…
Having driven a Jeep for so many years, Keith obviously recognized the benefits and advantages that accompany owning an SUV, and the buyer was particularly focused on purchasing a large vehicle. After having viewed several SUVs that were deemed to be too small, Keith eventually came across the 2016 Chevy Equinox.
“I liked the size of it, mostly,” said Lewis. “It’s a five seater and you can put the back seat down and make it into a flat bed, which is much like my Jeep. Sometimes my life gets crazy and I find myself moving big things for some reason. People definitely rely on me more thanks the cargo room, but I don’t mind. One of the big reasons why I got the Traverse was because of how roomy it is, so I’m not going to neglect that main feature.”
There’s no denying the size of the Chevy Equinox. Standing 66-inches tall, 62-inches wide, and close to 188-inches long, the SUV is one of the largest offerings in the industry. This predictably leads to an abundance of cargo room, including 31.5-cubic-feet of space behind the second row. This number is boosted to 63.7-cubic-feet when the second row is folded, providing even more room to store any equipment or luggage. The interior’s roominess also plays a significant role in driver and passenger comfort. The driver will appreciate the 40.9-inches of head room, 54.6-inches of hip room, 41.2-inches of leg room, and 55.8-inches of shoulder room, and these numbers are equally impressive out back.
Once he actually sat behind the wheel of the vehicle, Keith realized all of the features he was missing out on while traveling in his Jeep. In particular, Keith has appreciated the engine’s “Eco mode”, which allows him to prioritize fuel efficiency as he’s traveling long distances. Keith’s Equinox is capable of delivering a 22 city/32 highway mile per gallon efficiency.
“The Eco function has saved me a whole lot on gas,” he explained. “I usually put about $30 of gas in, and that will typically last me about a week and a half. In my Jeep, I was probably putting in twice the money.”
Of course, you can’t mention an engine’s efficiency without noting the power. Keith’s 2.4-liter engine manages to produce 182 horsepower and 172 pounds-feet of torque, and the driver has found that his Equinox is able to keep up with any other vehicles on the road. Alternatively, Keith could have opted for the 3.6-liter V6 engine, which can pump out 301 horsepower and 272 pounds-feet of torque.
Having transitioned from an aging Jeep to an energetic Equinox, Keith naturally had to adjust to the SUV’s capabilities. As a result, he nearly found himself in several accidents as he learned his new ride. Luckily, the Equinox’s safety features were there to assist.
“My first day, I tried switching lanes although someone was right next to me,” he said. “The Side Blind Zone Alert started going crazy, and I then realized that it was unsafe to switch. That same day, I was playing around with the Rear Vision Camera, and it helped me anticipate a loose dog who had run away from its owner. Who knows what would have happened had I backed out as I normally had?”
These safety features, along with the six standard air bags, the Rear Cross Traffic Alert system, and the OnStar Automatic Crash Response system, played an important role in the Equinox having earned the 2016 ‘Top Safety Pick’ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Keith has also had to adjust to the modern and innovative technology. His 1998 Jeep’s main feature was the CD player and air conditioner. In his 2016 Equinox, Keith was now playing with a seven-inch diagonal touchscreen display, allowing him to access music, applications, or vehicle diagnostics. Keith had also grown a habit of listening to his iPhone (via headphones) whenever he was driving his Jeep. The Siri Eyes Free technology available on the 2016 Equinox has allowed the driver to enjoy his favorite tunes via the vehicle’s actual sound system.
With all of these amenities and capabilities, Keith’s favorite feature isn’t even included on his Equinox. The OnStar RemoteLink Mobile Application allows drivers to remotely access their SUV from their smartphone. Drivers have the ability to remotely start their vehicle, lock or unlock the doors, and honk the horn/flash the lights. As an avid runner, Keith always found it hard to exercise with his keys dangling in his pocket. Thanks to the RemoteLink Application, Keith can leave his Equinox’s keys in the car, and he can unlock his SUV via his smartphone once his workout is finished.
Keith had never anticipated that he’d be giving up Jeep, but the new Equinox owner is more than happy with his decision. Chevy’s SUV is one of the most capable offerings from this segment, and Keith appreciates that the brand’s vehicles don’t require as many repairs.
It can be tough to give up a beloved vehicle, like a Jeep. However, transitioning to the 2016 Chevy Equinox can make saying “good bye” a whole lot easier.
