That’s better than the originally predicted 30 mpg, which was a class-leading number itself. City mileage is expected to move up 1 mpg from the previous estimate as well, to 22 mpg.
These numbers are for the base, front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder model.
Comparable four-cylinders include the Honda CR-V (20/27 mpg city/highway), Toyota RAV4 (22/28 mpg), Ford Escape (20/28 mpg with an automatic transmission) and Dodge Journey (19/25 mpg).
Final estimates from the EPA aren’t in yet, but manufacturers don’t usually announce such figures without being confident in their own testing.
The 2010 Equinox will sport a 182-hp four-cylinder base engine that Chevy estimates will return 21/30 mpg city/highway; final EPA numbers are pending.
That number beats the CR-V’s 20/27 mpg figure significantly and tops the RAV4 in terms of highway mileage; that SUV gets 22/28 mpg city/highway.
The Equinox’s size, however, puts it a bit between those compact SUVs and larger ones like Ford’s Edge. That’s a good place to be, especially if the price keeps it competitive with the smaller players.
A V-6 engine will also be available. It produces 264 hp and is estimated to get 18/25 mpg city/highway.
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That’s just 1 mpg better than the outgoing model’s more antiquated engine, and it’s not as good as the V-6 RAV4, which gets 19/27 mpg.
We liked the looks and interior of the new Equinox when we saw it at this year’s Detroit auto show, and this price makes the new model even more attractive.
Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox Crossover
