Chevrolet Equinox Raises Content Bar for 2012

Image by Sebastian Bergmann via Flickr

The 2012 Equinox isn’t resting on its laurels despite a 52 percent increase in retail sales for the first 10 months of the year.  New equipment available for 2012 includes Chevrolet MyLink in-vehicle wireless connectivity, customized infotainment options and new safety-enhancing features.
“Since this generation went on sale in mid-2009 we have sold every Equinox we can build, but we aren’t counting on that momentum to carry us,” said Russ Clark, director, Chevrolet marketing. “We have carefully selected technologies that our customers will find valuable and are able to offer them at very attractive prices.”
Chevrolet MyLink is an in-car infotainment package that builds on the safety and security of OnStar. It seamlessly integrates online services such as Pandora® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio® using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth-enabled phones.
MyLink adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. MyLink also includes a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display that makes media selection easy to navigate.
MyLink also retains all the capabilities of today’s entertainment functions, including AM/FM/Sirius XM tuners, CD player with MP3 playback, auxiliary and USB inputs.
The 2012 Equinox features a General Motors’ exclusive crash- avoidance system that uses a single camera to help drivers avoid front-end and unsignalled lane departure crashes. The $295 option on LTZ trim levels is much less than systems that offer the same functions for more money.
This new active safety system uses a high-resolution digital camera mounted on the windshield ahead of the rearview mirror that looks for shapes of vehicles and lane markings. The system uses audible warnings and a high-mounted visual display to warn the driver if he or she is following another vehicle too closely, when a collision is imminent, or when departing a lane without signaling first.
Equinox’s warning display contains green “vehicle ahead” and “lanes detected” icons, as well as flashing red “forward collision alert” and amber “lane departure warning” icons that are accompanied by warning chimes. Forward collision alert operates at speeds above 25 mph and warns a driver if he or she is following too closely or in imminent danger of a front-end crash.  When a collision is predicted to be imminent, vehicle brakes are pre-charged to help drivers quickly reach maximum braking.
In addition to searching for other vehicles, the image processor also looks for lane markings to provide lane departure alerts. Available at speeds above 35 mph, the lane departure warning icon shines green when lane markings are detected to indicate the system is active. If the vehicle drifts out of the lane without a turn signal, the lamp switches to flashing amber and is augmented by warning beeps.
The 2012 Equinox is a Top Safety Pick based on testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and was a Consumer Guide Best Buy for 2011 and 2010.