| The sport utility market continues to expand | | | | experience you would need to opt for the |
| despite higher than normal gas prices. The | | | | TrailBlazer or get the Freelander. Okay, I digress. |
| reason? Because, these | | | | The Equinox is available as either a front wheel |
| do-almost-everything-vehicles provide just what | | | | drive or all wheel drive vehicle. Seating five |
| consumers want. Sure, sales are down right now, | | | | passengers, the Equinox comes equipped with a |
| but they will recover as more economical vehicles | | | | 3.4L V6 that produces 185hp. The engine is paired |
| enter the mix. SUVs carry people, haul stuff, pull | | | | with a five-speed automatic transmission; no |
| stuff, can go off-roading [okay, maybe not the | | | | manual transmission is available. A traction control |
| Equinox], provide superior handling than many | | | | system is standard with the front wheel drive |
| cars, etc. Fortunately, not all are gas guzzlers | | | | Equinox while all models come equipped with ABS |
| either. Chevrolet's Equinox and the Land Rover | | | | and electric steering. Standard equipment for the |
| Freelander are two that come to mind. Let's take | | | | Equinox includes power windows, power mirrors, |
| a look at these two compact SUVs. | | | | and power locks with Remote Keyless Entry; AM |
| Chevrolet Equinox - I like the looks of the | | | | FM stereo and CD player with six speakers; and |
| Equinox, Chevy's car-based SUV that is only | | | | air conditioning. The Equinox has received a 5 star |
| slightly smaller than the mid-size TrailBlazer. By | | | | rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety |
| car-based I mean a vehicle that handles and | | | | Administration for frontal crash and side-impact |
| drives more like a car and is actually built on a car | | | | crash tests. Starting prices for the Equinox are |
| platform [like the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, | | | | very competitive with comparable models in its |
| for example]. This means that the Equinox is built | | | | class. |
| chiefly for the road, so if you want an off road | | | | |