#ChevyDrive #review of the 2013 @Chevrolet #Equinox

I was recently offered a Chevrolet Equinox to test out. It was my first time driving a Chevrolet vehicle and I must say I was impressed. With kids and their stuff, we’re always on the hunt for the right vehicle. Something big enough to handle our gear yet easy to drive and of course, with excellent fuel efficiency. Safety of course, is always number one. It is this combination that has really elevated the Equinox when it comes to compact crossovers.

In this day and age when you’re driving, you want to remain connected to the people and music you care about. The Chevrolet MyLink interactive audio system allows you to connect your smartphone to stream music. MyLink doesn’t only give you access to the music from your smartphone, MP3 player or flash drive,  it also allows you to use the hands-free calling option, using Bluetooth. MyLink also integrates Stitcher SmartRadio apps (not yet available in Canada), so you can stream your favourite radio options directly from your smartphone. The touch screen navigation pairs very well with MyLink as well.

I loved the Forward Collision Alert which uses a windshield-mounted camera and advanced image processing to monitor the distance of the vehicle in front of you. This is fantastic if you’re someone who is prone to following too closely or when it’s late, you’re tired and want to enlist an added degree of protection for you and your family. An icon on the dash tells the driver when a vehicle is detected ahead. The centre icon lights up when the vehicle is following too closely and flashes with chimes when there is danger of a front-end collision.

There is also an awesome Lane Departure Warning System that reads the lines on the road and visually and audibly alerts you if you have crossed into another lane without indicating. Late night drivers, or distracted parents, this one is for you! I loved it. I’ve passed a goldfish cracker or two back to my kids while driving and while I’m extremely careful on the road, I loved enabling this feature as a reminder if ever the car veered too much outside the lane.

The Equinox is seriously versatile. It provides a lot of cargo space  for its size, with an impressive amount of space behind the second row of seats. If you slide the 60/40 split-folding Multi-Flex rear seats forward and fold them down you can really open yourself up to a generous amount of trunk space.

I also loved the programmable power rear liftgate. If you’ve ever lived in a building with a low garage or backed out of a tight parking garage, you’ll appreciate this one. You can program the liftgate to adjust the opening height to make sure it clears a garage door, saving yourself from any unnecessary nicks.

All in all, the Chevy Equinox definitely has the CanadianMomEh two thumbs up!