TEST DRIVE ~ 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

From the frustrating drama of the G8/G20 hosting kerfuffle to the warm and fuzzy memories of Sydney Crosby's goal amidst the spectacle of Vancouver's Winter Olympics, we certainly seem to be playing a more prominent role on the world stage these days.
Daring to take on a larger role takes confidence, some diligence and hard work. Just ask any automotive worker in Canada.
Because if you want concrete examples of Canadian excellence, our plants and assembly lines have been winning respect, awards and contracts to build all kinds of vehicles. And build them well.
The list includes everything from the bread-and-butter minivans of Chrysler Windsor to multiple models from Honda Alliston, Toyota in Cambridge and Woodstock, new crossovers from Ford Oakville, even popular re-born muscle machines like the Camaro from GM Oshawa and the Challenger from Chrysler in Brampton.
And take the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, for example.
Built side-by-side with its GMC Terrain sibling at CAMI Automotive in Ingersoll, Ontario, the second-generation Equinox has proved popular across North America.
GM refers to it as a "just the right size crossover" and, according to dealer reports, it is drawing more than half its buyers away from other brands.
Which isn't all that surprising because, when it debuted at the 2009 Auto Show in Detroit, the Equinox made an immediate and favourable first impression as a new benchmark combination of previous polar opposites, incorporating quality and economy in the same vehicle.
The Equinox took inspiration from the trend-setting Malibu and Traverse, combining elements of both into a look that features Chevy's new signature global face, with a two-tier grille prominently accented by the gold bowtie badge.
The wheelbase in this second-generation version is unchanged at 2,857 mm (112.5") but the body is about 25 mm (1") shorter in length. The Equinox is also 25 mm (1") wider with a corresponding wider front track for more confident handling.
From the side, the profile looks sleeker because the windshield base has been moved 75 mm (3") forward for improved aerodynamic efficiency. The fender shapes are strong, but not as strong as on the over-the-top GMC Terrain. Wraparound headlights and dual round Chevy-style taillights balance both ends of the design.
There are thoughtful touches incorporated into the design, like rocker panels that were integrated into the doors in order to make it easier to get in and out of the vehicle. They narrow the step-in access and protect pant legs from slush or dirt on the rockers. A flush-fitting "exposed-edge" windshield and tight gaps on the rear glass reduce wind noise.
That kind of attention to detail carries on inside with interior build and quality levels that rival premium imports. The layout is handsome and ergonomic with cool ice-blue ambient lighting illuminating a "floating" centre stack, encircling the centre-console cupholders and directing small pools of light into the door pull cups. Very classy.
The glovebox is oversized and, along with extra storage bins, the centre armrest/console opens to a space large enough to swallow a laptop.
The seats are comfortable and both rows adjust fore and aft for a choice of comfort or cargo room.
That MultiFlex rear seat flexibility, which allows the seat to be moved fore or aft nearly 200 mm (7.9"), helps the Equinox achieve best rear legroom in its class. With the 60/40-split-back rear seat moved all the way forward, the cargo area opens up to 889 litres (31.4 cu ft) of luggage space. Flip the rear seat forward and there's a maximum 1803 litres (63.7 cu ft) of room.
The Equinox cabin is quiet with extra insulation bolstered by a unique Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology. The system uses microphones to monitor noise inside the vehicle and works to cancel excessive noise by pulsing counteracting sound waves through the audio system's speakers.
But as impressive as it is inside and out, the big story is under the hood where the 2010 Equinox offers a choice of two new engines, a 2.4-litre four-cylinder base engine or an available 3.0-litre V6. Both motors feature fuel-saving direct injection and variable valve timing systems.
Both powertrains feature a six-speed automatic with overdrive and electric power steering, factors that also benefit fuel economy. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) comes standard with all-wheel-drive an available option ($1,610).
The 2.4-litre four-banger pulls willingly. The VVT and direct injection technologies benefit power response as well as fuel-efficiency. Yes, it will have to work with a full load on board but that's hard to whine about with an optional V6 waiting in the wings for more serious hauling and towing demands.  An "eco" mode button alters shift points to emphasize fuel efficiency even further. The official Energuide lab numbers for the as-tested four-cylinder FWD model were 9.2/6.1L/100km (city/hwy) although my best highway average was around 7.4L/100km at a real world speed of 110 km/h.
The 2010 Equinox comes in four trim levels, LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ. And even the base vehicle is easy to live with, coming complete with six airbags; the six-speed automatic tranny; keyless entry; power windows, locks and mirrors; four-wheel ABS disk brakes with Panic Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist; Traction Control and Stabilitrak with trailer sway control; tilt/telescopic steering and cruise control; air conditioning and six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio.
That's a pretty impressive list of all-inclusive standard equipment.
The 2010 Chevy Equinox was a finalist in the 2010 AJAC Best SUV-CUV (under $35K) category, ranked as one of the 12 top picks by the Canadian Automotive Jury, earned a Top Safety Pick from IIHS crash testing, was rated a Consumers Digest Best Buy and won its truck class for Ward's 2010 Interior of the Year.
Which probably explains why the automotive Team Canada that builds this crossover has earned both bragging rights and a recently added third shift in response to customer demand.
I don't usually wrap the flag around an automotive review.
But vehicles that raise the bar on quality while lowering fuel demands and emissions, like the 2010 Chevy Equinox, sure make it easy to buy Canadian.


BODY STYLE: Compact CUV.
DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, front-/all-wheel-drive.
ENGINE: 2.4-litre direction injection inline four-cylinder (182 hp, 172 lb/ft); 3.0-litre direct injection V6 (264 hp, 222 lb/ft).
FUEL ECONOMY: 2.4-litre FWD, 9.2/6.1/7.8L/100 km (city/hwy/comb); 2.4-litre AWD, 10.1/6.9/8.7L/100 km; 3.0-litre FWD, 12.1/8.0/10.2L/100 km; 3.0-litre AWD, 12.3/8.4/10.5L/100 km
PRICE: LS, $25,995; 1LT, $27,725; 2LT, $30,110; LTZ, $33,460.