KEY SAFETY FEATURES IN OLDER EQUINOX MODELS

When we purchase a vehicle that will be used to drive our families around daily, safety should be at the top of the priority list. It’s a family vehicle, after all; it’s there to protect our family and get from point A to point B without a hitch. Maybe other priorities include something roomy, like an SUV. The Chevrolet Equinox is a popular vehicle for drivers with families. The SUV has been around for some time, garnering the attention of people shopping for an affordable, spacious, and safe vehicle that will last. Chevrolet has long been a trusted brand, so opting for one of its best-selling SUV models is a no-brainer. While the Equinox has evolved in design and features over the years, it has remained a reliable and dependable vehicle for those who invest in one.

When buying a new vehicle isn’t in the cards, shopping used is an excellent alternative. Investing in the right gently used model will get you a quality vehicle that will last for years to come while saving you thousands off the original sticker. Buying used doesn’t have to mean sacrificing safety features, either. Chevrolet understands the importance of integrating the best safety and driver assistance features in every model that rolls off the assembly line. That’s why when you shop used with Chevy, it’s easy to find a model with some years and mileage but still stacked with the features you need to drive with confidence. Here at Richard Lucas Chevrolet, we have several used Equinox models that meet the criteria. As your used Chevy Equinox dealer near Perth Amboy, we recommend you check out these models to find the safety technology that you want. Here are recent years that are loaded with Chevy’s Safety Assist suite.

Safe Vehicles: What to Look For

Feeling lost about shopping for a vehicle based solely on safety? Shopping for a car can be an overwhelming process. There are so many things to consider, from brand to price and everything in between. When we’re discussing safety, it’s not just a matter of features like automated braking and blind spot warnings; it’s also an issue of reliability. While having helpful tools that actively sense danger is important, having a vehicle you can depend on is just as crucial. What’s the point of rear cross traffic alerts if you’re driving a lemon that falls apart unexpectedly? The key is finding a vehicle that combines quality and features into one helpful package.

Thanks to the internet and companies that are built on providing public research on automotive safety, we are able to look up statistics on any recent car with relative ease. Companies such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) provide ratings for each vehicle based on the crashworthiness and the features that assist in crash avoidance and mitigation. In recent years, features like a rearview camera have been standardized because of their ability to prevent crashes and protect pedestrians who walk behind reversing vehicles. Other crash avoidance technologies include breakthrough features like automatic emergency braking, dynamic brake support, pedestrian automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning. These systems use integrated sensors to alert drivers to hazards and provide automated assistance when the driver doesn’t respond in time.

Another public research firm, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has reported that up to 94% of fatal crashes are due to human error. Because of that staggering number, the evolving features that help to mitigate accidents play a large role in minimizing collisions and the injuries that result.

2018 Chevy Equinox

The 2018 model year begins the third generation of the Equinox. While the second generation earned top scores for safety testing, the newer technology, along with the exterior redesign, make for a compelling argument for the 2018 Chevy Equinox. For 2018, the Equinox comes equipped with either the standard 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 170 horsepower, the optional 1.6L turbo-diesel, or the 2.0L four-cylinder that fires up 252 horses. Most SUVs in this class don’t have any diesel options, making the Equinox stand out among the pack, especially when you factor in its EPA-estimated 32 MPG combined. It can even tow up to 3,500 lbs when properly equipped and is available in one of four trims, including the L, LS, LT, and Premier.

A multitude of safety features are what get the 2018 Equinox a spotlight on our list. This year’s models offer features like hands-free activation to make phone calls and get directions, minimizing taking attention off the road. Your devices connect via Bluetooth to the Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system to streamline access to your favorite apps. The available Low-Speed Forward Automatic Braking system works to apply pressure to the brakes and help you avoid a collision. The 2018 Equinox also has an available Side Blind Zone Alert because everyone knows that dreadful feeling of not seeing the vehicle moving in your blind spot. It works by submitting a warning to you when a car is present. Finally, the available Safety Alert Seat feature functions by vibrating to warn you of possible danger. All these features, along with the standard suite of the Chevy Safety Assist, make for an incredibly safe 2018 model that will be a great investment in the used Equinox market.

2021 Chevy Equinox

Craving something newer but still used? The 2021 Chevy Equinox is equipped with plenty of modern technology that improves every commute while still saving you money. This roomy iteration of the Equinox features 63.9 cubic feet of cargo room for transporting your belongings with ease. It’s worth noting that the 2021 Equinox has a very efficient powertrain, helping you save by spending less time and money at the gas pump. The front-wheel drive system gets 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive gets 24 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. The infotainment and connectivity setups include either a standard seven-inch touchscreen or an available eight-inch touchscreen. Plus, there’s an available 4G LTE WiFi Hotspot.

The 2021 Equinox has a generous suite of standard safety features that are part of the Chevy Safety Assist package that comes on every model. These features include Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam Auto High Beams. Depending on which trim level you find, there are also additional Driver Assist features such as HD Surround Vision, the Safety Alert Seat, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Park Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control with the Driver Confidence II Package or Driver Confidence III Package.

Put Safety at the Helm of Your Search

Buying a vehicle is a big decision, no matter what, but when you’re shopping for the vehicle that will be used to transport your family, safety should be at the top of your list. Drivers today are luckier than ever, thanks to the wide availability of the kinds of features we’ve discussed. It’s nothing short of amazing that we can rely on our vehicles to alert us of potential dangers and initiate braking for us when we need a hand. Chevrolet is proud to offer these types of features, and more, to help their customers drive with confidence. When you invest in a Chevy, you invest in your future. Check out the available inventory of used Equinox models at Richard Lucas Chevrolet, and drive home in a vehicle you can feel good about.