- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
188kW, 353Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 8.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2017 Holden Equinox LTZ-V she says, he says review
He: This is an important model for Holden, Dani. The Equinox replaces the Captiva 5, which was getting very long in the tooth, and it goes up against the likes of the Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 in the popular mid-size SUV crowd. What were your first impressions?
She: Given the ferocity of this sector and how established some of those SUVs are I’m surprised it’s taken Holden this long to bring a new model. The Equinox isn’t catwalk material but there’s a familiarity about it, given the close design connections between Chevrolet (which created it) and Holden, which I think will appeal to family-orientated drivers.
The LTZ-V we’re testing is the top of the range model. It’s big and sturdy-looking with a huge cabin and great storage. The heated and cooled leather seats are comfy, however the interior is rather plain for a top spec car. But Steve, what the Equinox lacks in style, it makes up for in space?
He: That’s right, Dani, I think the final finish of the cabin, the choice of materials especially as well as the dashboard and infotainment graphics, could be improved. It lacks the same level of polish as rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan, Peugeot 3008 and Mazda CX-5.
But it can be forgiven for some of that because of how spacious it is. There’s great room in the back, so much so that I, as a 180cm adult, could ride comfortably in the rear seat. Kids will be well accommodated, not only on space but there are two USB ports, a 12-volt outlet and a household-style powerpoint.
She: It’s also one of the few SUVs where the panoramic roof doesn’t compromise headroom in the back. The boot is huge, a class-leading 846-litres, which more than doubles when the seats are folded down. The downside for short mums like me is that you have to climb into the boot to fit a baby seat.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 188kW/353Nm and a new nine-speed automatic. What did you make of it, Steve?
He: I think it’s a big step up on the Captiva, which it should be given how old that model was by the end of its life. The engine feels strong for a four-cylinder, pulling along what is quite a big SUV. The nine-speed auto does a pretty good job most of the time, it’s certainly one of the better calibrated units of its kind. However, there are occasional stumbles when it’s looking for the right gear as you slow down or speed up.
Overall I was impressed by how the Equinox handled itself on the road. The ride is relatively comfortable while still retaining a good level of control. That’s in part because Holden has undertaken a local suspension tuning program for the Equinox, using its Lang Lang Proving Ground, the same place it has tuned Commodores for years.
She: I’m not sure I loved the driving experience but it’s a good engine and responds well to various road conditions, thanks to Holden’s localised tuning program. However the Equinox feels heavy because it is, weighing around 100 kilograms more than other medium-SUVs.
The LTZ-V is loaded with some of the latest in safety, including auto emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and lane departure warning. The driver’s seat also vibrates if it detects a possible hazard. I think the idea is good but it scared the living daylights out of me the first time it went off. It’s also very sensitive.
He: Yeah, I hate that seat vibration warning. In part because it’s annoying but largely because it’s so sensitive. I had it going off all the time, even when cars were several car lengths in front of me were just slowing down for a speed bump the seat would pinch my bum. That’s a big problem because if I was annoyed after only a few days I can’t imagine it would be pleasant to live with. And if it gets too annoying owners will just switch it off, thus voiding the benefits of forward collision warning.
She: Holden’s motto for the Equinox is that it’s made for real life and you can’t argue with that. It’s safe, practical, well equipped and competitively priced for a top-end model. The medium SUV sector continues to be the biggest and the fastest growing in Australia. I think this newcomer is capable of making an impact but time will tell.
He: Like I said at the start, this is an important model for Holden. If the Equinox can become a best-selling mid-size SUV it will be a massive boost for the Lion brand. It’s a good SUV, without jumping to the head of the pack, so it will be interesting to watch how it’s accepted by Australian buyers.
2018 Holden Equinox price and specifications
Price: From $46,290 (plus on-roads)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 188kW
Torque: 353Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 8.2L/100km