The 2008 Chevrolet Equinox gains a pair of new models, one bent toward luxury, the other for performance. This midsize crossover seats five and shares its basic design with the Pontiac Torrent and Suzuki XL7. Equinox LS and LT models are joined this year by the luxury-themed LTZ and high-performance Sport. All are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The LS, LT, and LTZ have a 185-hp 3.4-liter V6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. Sports have a 264-hp 3.6-liter V6, 6-speed automatic transmission, firmer suspension tuning, and specific trim. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags. Equinox’s rear seat slides fore and aft up to 8 inches to increase passenger or cargo space. A navigation system and remote engine start are available. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.

Sport delivers a performance-inspired appearance, with body colored front and rear fascias and a body color grille cross bar. The front and rear fascias have trapezoidal design cues; the front fascia uses silver-painted trapezoidal air inlets, while the rear fascia features dual chrome trapezoidal-shaped exhaust outlets.

The Equinox Sport?s performance-oriented look is enhanced by eliminating the roof rack, although it is offered as an option. Also, 18-inch flangeless, high-polished forged aluminum five-spoke wheels, mounted on P235/50R18 tires, complement an aggressive stance.

Inside, the Equinox Sport has standard all-Ebony trim and appointments all its own. New seats with bolsters that enhance lateral support during quick cornering maneuvers are standard, with perforated leather-covered versions available. It also has a leather-wrapped, four-spoke steering wheel and specific instruments, including a 140-mph speedometer. The shifter also is unique to the Equinox Sport, as it is a J-gate design that enables precise control of the six-speed transmission?s fully automatic or manual tap-up/tap-down features.

Standard features also include those for which the Equinox is already known and appreciated: five-passenger seating with a Multi-Flex, split-folding rear seat, flat-folding front passenger seat , power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, air conditioning, tilt steering, rear liftgate with defogger and washer/wiper, and an AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with six-speaker audio system. XM Satellite Radio and remote vehicle starting also are standard. Available options include a power sunroof, Pioneer seven-speaker audio system and OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation.

2008 Chevrolet Equinox Models:
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LS 2WD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LT1 2WD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LS AWD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LT2 2WD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LT1 AWD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LT2 AWD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ 2WD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox Sport 2WD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ AWD
2008 Chevrolet Equinox Sport AWD

Standard Engine:
3.4L V6, 12 valve, 185 hp @ 5200 rpm
5 speed automatic transmission

Standard Features:
Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor
Traction Control
AM/FM Radio With Seek, Scan and 6 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3 Player