We're likely pulling the trigger on a small S(C)UV in the next couple months. Getting 2 child seats in my wife's Civic is going to be a pain & my TL is starting to need more frequent repairs.
So far, we've looked at the CX-5, Equinox & Traverse. Wife nixed the Traverse (too truck like for her). She liked the CX-5 for it's car-like handling, but really loved the Equinox.
We took one for the weekend & I think she's sold on it, plus my dad is a mgr at a Chevrolet dealer, so I can get supplier pricing. We haven't quite decided on new or used yet.

Looking for owner's experience on any issue or things to keep an eye out for?

Thanks

 

go for the v6. less problematic than the 2.4 and real world mpg not that much different

 

I think someone here has an Equinox as a rep mobile they can chime in.

 

My wife drives a 2010 gmc terrain v6 awd! She loves the SUV, and it has been 85,000 miles trouble free! Awesome in the winter too! The equinox is based on the same platform, so it will be pretty much the same....just less truck like on the exterior. I have nothing bad to say about the vehicle in general, and i would reccomend it for sure

 

My dad had one. 2010 (I think?) It was the first year of new body style. Looked pretty good, liked his color combo, mocha steel on brown leather. He had the 2.4 which was really underpowered IMO.

His main complaint over the couple years he had it was that it performed awfully in snow/slippery conditions (2WD, but with proper tires). There were also some small quality issues if I remember correctly.

Around 70k miles he started having some bigger issues, I think transmission but don't recall exactly. Chevy warranty covered it, but the problem persisted and he just didn't want to deal with it, ended up dumping it a year and half ago for a TL SHAWD. I do know he enjoyed it while he had it and I think it'd be a nice car with the V6 and AWD. Should fit your needs size wise coming from a Civic

 

You're thinking of The Dougler. Send him a PM maybe he can help you.

The only complaint I've heard with the Equinox/Terrain is that the gearing is stupid tall, which may be part of why the 2.4 seems anemic.

Happy shopping!

 

We had a 2.4 1LT over the weekend & around here & for 95% of the driving my wife does, the 2.4 is sufficient. Coming from an '04 Civic 4AT, the Eq has a little more pull.
Got a lease quote last night as well. ~$300-350, 36mo, 12k miles.

Just need a personal finance check & it sounds like this is the route we're going. We'll still cross-shop the Escape & possibly the Tuscon & SantaFe Sport. But with supplier pricing I don't think anything else is going to come close without losing features & settling.

 

My parents got a 2013 used Equinox 2.4 LTZ last year on a damn good deal. We're looking for sub 20K options for her, but this one showed up locally with 10k miles fully loaded with lane departure warning, navi, backup, heated cooled seats, etc.

The 2.4 is really good for mpg especially if theres a lot of city driving, as the hwy mpg doesn't change too much. She gets about 28 ave, mostly highway. She's had no problems with it and it is a very safe (first) car as well. Personally don't like the chrome wheels, but otherwise, it's a perfectly good and reliable car. Surprising what tech you can actually get in it too.

 

Doesn't Hyundai have invoice pricing going on as well?

 

Not sure, so far we've only made to to Mazda & Chevrolet. Ford & Hyundai/Kia are next. Though it's going to be tough for them to talk my wife down from the Equinox.

That & my dad is a service manager at a Chevrolet dealer that's a little over an hour from us & the one I used to work for is only about 20-30 mins from my house. So I have some connections there.