Look to the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox for these eight strengths… and be cognizant of this notable shortcoming

Crossovers have been riding a huge wave of popularity recently. In many ways, the Chevrolet Equinox is emblematic of what this category as a whole has to offer, and it’s reaped the benefits of the segment’s success. The Equinox holds the honor of being the automaker’s second best-selling vehicle after the Silverado truck.

The Chevy Equinox has been redesigned for 2018, and its upgrades make this compact crossover an even more appealing choice within what has become a very competitive class. The redesign has brought a 10 percent reduction in weight, and the current model is 400 pounds lighter than the outgoing model.

Its sheet metal has been reimagined, and it now bears modern design cues that reflect those seen in other Chevys like the Volt and the Cruze. The Equinox also benefits from a new engine lineup, and its roster of driver-assistive technology has been expanded to help make this vehicle a safer companion on the road.

Below are eight great traits of the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox… along with a flaw that you should certainly be aware of before making a purchasing decision.

Diesel engines don’t get the same level of press as hybrids among green drivers, but they should. Diesels are known for offering excellent fuel economy. They also tend to be rich in torque, and this enables them to accelerate quickly and tow heavy loads.

For the 2018 model year, the Equinox welcomes an available diesel engine to its lineup. This turbocharged 1.6-liter engine provides 137 horsepower and 240 lb-ft. of torque. With fuel economy of up to 28/39 mpg city/highway, the diesel engine is the most fuel-efficient choice in the Equinox’s engine lineup.

Teen drivers are new to all the challenges that come with driving, and if you have one in your household, you likely experience feelings of anxiety every time your teen gets behind the wheel for a solo journey. If you’re like most parents, you probably wish you could exert your influence over your young driver even in those moments when you’re not traveling in the car with your teen.

The Equinox comes with a standard with a Teen Driver feature that allows you to set parameters for your young driver that will help instill habits that foster safe driving. With this feature, you can set speed alerts that issue warnings if the vehicle exceeds a certain speed. You can use this amenity to automatically mute the crossover’s audio system until both front-seat occupants have buckled their seat belts. The Teen Driver feature also issues a report card that shows your teen’s performance behind the wheel, and this gives you information you can use to coach your teen on how to practice safer driving.

A flat load floor makes it easier for you to load items into your crossover. The Equinox is available with a kneeling rear seat with tilting bottom cushions that facilitate the creation of a flat rear load floor. If you plan on using your crossover for hauling cargo, this feature will help simplify the loading experience.

Driving on modern roads can be a treacherous endeavor fraught with peril, and we could all use a little help and support. Driver-assistive technology is available that offers the guidance we need, often serving as an extra pair of eyes in challenging driving situations.

The Equinox comes with the driver-assistive features you need to support your daily travels. The lineup of available active safety features includes blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, low-speed forward automatic braking, forward collision alert and lane departure warning. There’s also a surround-view camera available to help you execute safer parking maneuvers.

Certain convenience features can go a long way toward making your time with a vehicle more pleasant and enjoyable. One such feature is a hands-free power liftgate. If you’ve ever approached your crossover with armfuls of groceries and no free hand available to activate the liftgate, you know how useful this feature can be.

The Equinox is available with a hands-free power liftgate that allows you to open the liftgate even if your hands are full. There’s a sensor on the vehicle’s rear bumper, and if you wave your foot under the bumper while the key fob is in your pocket, the liftgate will open automatically. This feature is new to the Equinox for the 2018 model year.

When there’s rain or snow on the ground, it can become very easy for your vehicle to lose traction. The end result is compromised safety, as a vehicle with poor traction is more likely to spin out or become stuck on a wet or snowy road.

All-wheel drive gives your vehicle the grip it needs when the road gets slick or slippery. With all-wheel drive, power is sent to all four wheels of your vehicle, and this improves traction when there’s rain or snow on the road.

The Equinox is available with all-wheel drive, and this feature is worth serious consideration if you live in a wet or snowy clime.

If you’re like most people these days, you have a close and personal relationship with your smartphone. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, you can quickly and easily connect your device to your vehicle, allowing you to access your phone’s features without hassles while on the road.

This type of smartphone integration is often optional, and automakers like Toyota don’t offer it at all. However, it’s a standard feature on the 2018 Chevy Equinox.

Have you ever scratched your head in confusion as you’ve tried to work your way through an endless labyrinth of screens while using a vehicle’s infotainment system? If so, you know that some vehicles come with infotainment systems that are more user-friendly than others.

The Equinox scores high marks for providing a system that’s logically laid out and a breeze to navigate. A 7-inch touchscreen is standard, and navigation and an 8-inch touchscreen are available. Whichever setup you choose, we expect that you’ll find the system intuitive and pleasant to use.

Many car shoppers venture into the crossover fold because that have a need for increased utility. They’re looking for a vehicle with substantial cargo capacity, and there are many small crossovers that go above and beyond to deliver big in this area.

Alas, the Chevy Equinox isn’t one of them. The vehicle’s cargo space was reduced with its redesign, and it offers 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. While these aren’t especially poor numbers, they aren’t great, either, and if generous cargo capacity is a priority, you’ll do better elsewhere. The Honda CR-V, for example, offers 39.2 cubic feet behind its rear seats and 75.8 cubic feet with those seats folded.

With standard features like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone mirroring, the Equinox provides the amenities modern drivers expect. And its available all-wheel drive gives this capable small crossover the versatility to tackle even the roughest weather.

Crossover shoppers have some excellent choices to consider, and the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is one of them. It’s worth a look if you’re in the market for a small crossover that’s both well-rounded and well-equipped to handle rain and sludge.