2010 Chevrolet Equinox

2010 Chevrolet Equinox
2010 Chevrolet Equinox
Though largely chastised by the automotive press for its poor ride quality, indifferent handling, and subpar fuel economy, the Chevrolet Equinox crossover SUV was among General Motors' few sales bright spots over the last several years. At the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, Chevy introduced a redesigned 2010 Equinox in the hopes that this generation will receive a favorable reception from both critics and buyers.

Chevy calls Equinox a compact, but we at Consumer Guide actually consider it part of our midsize SUV category. Its 112.5-inch wheelbase (same as the 2005-2009 generation) is actually longer than that of rival crossovers, including the Ford Edge (111.2 inches), Honda Pilot (109.2 inches), and Toyota Highlander (109.8 inches). The 2010 Equinox will come in LS, LT, and LTZ trim levels, each with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

Previous Equinox models came only with a V6 engine. For 2010, buyers will have a choice of two new powerplants. GM believes most buyers will opt for the standard 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. Those wanting more muscle can choose a 255-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Both engines employ high-pressure gasoline direct injection designed to increase power and fuel economy. Also standard on both is a 6-speed automatic transmission. With front-wheel drive, GM expects a 4-cylinder model to achieve 30 mpg on the highway.

Carrying over to the 2010 model from the first-generation Equinox is its "MultiFlex" rear seat, which allows the bench to move fore or aft nearly 8 inches to benefit either passenger or cargo room. Among the available features are a navigation system, rearview camera, wireless cell phone link, DVD entertainment, and a hard drive for storing digital music files.

Pricing was not announced, but the 2010 Equinox should retain a base price in the mid-$20,000 range, with loaded versions approaching $35,000. We'll find out closer to the car's on-sale date, which is slated for mid-2009.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

2011 Chevrolet Cruze
2011 Chevrolet Cruze
On display at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show was the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, the compact car that will likely replace the Cobalt. This car made its premier at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. With a new 6-speed automatic transmission and 140-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, Chevy expects Cruze to achieve better highway fuel economy than the company's current mileage champion, the Cobalt XFE (rated by the EPA at 37 mpg). The 1.4-liter engine also will be capable of running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel.

Cruze is slated to go on sale in Europe this March. A North American debut will follow several months later.

Chevrolet Orlando Concept

2011 Chevrolet Orlando
2011 Chevrolet Orlando
Another Chevrolet vehicle that debuted in Paris but was on display in Detroit was the Orlando Concept. Think of this seven-passenger hauler as a rival to the Kia Rondo or Mazda 5. Such vehicles are extremely popular in Europe due to their manageable size and solid fuel economy. Though the Rondo and 5 aren't lighting up the sales charts, more buyers are looking to them as alternatives to traditional crossover SUVs.

CG Says...
With the Volt poised to at least draw prospective buyers into Chevrolet showrooms, GM's volume division is revamping its product portfolio to show shoppers that it has other products worthy of consideration. Equinox, Cruze, and Spark have the goods, on paper at least, to help the company pull out of its slump. The launch timing should be ideal, as most analysts expect auto sales to start picking up in the second half of 2009. We'll see how it goes.
The Chevrolet Orlando Concept shares its basic design with the upcoming Cruze compact car. A version of this people mover will be offered in Europe, and as such, would offer a choice of a gasoline or diesel engine. North America will also get a version of the Orlando, and it would likely replace the HHR in Chevy's lineup when it arrives for the 2011 model year.

Base power might come from the Cruze's 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, with uplevel versions offering a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that would be shared with the 2010 Equinox crossover.

2011 Chevrolet Spark

2011 Chevrolet Spark
Chevrolet Beat
An unexpected surprise from GM's volume division was the announcement that a car based on the Beat Concept (pictured) will be offered for sale worldwide in 2011. The 2011 Chevrolet Spark will slot below the Aveo in size, and most likely, price.

No other information about the Spark was made available at the Detroit Auto Show, but we speculate that power will likely come from a non-turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine from the Chevrolet Cruze. That engine should be available worldwide, while markets outside North America would get a diesel engine as well.

The Beat Concept was on display at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. GM officials say that a production-ready version of the Spark will make its debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show later this year.

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