How is the four-wheel drive performance of the Equinox?
4 Answers
Chevrolet Equinox's four-wheel drive is a conventional AWD on-demand system, which can be freely switched between high and low speeds without causing negative effects, but its function is only to improve the vehicle's driving stability on paved roads. Here is relevant information: 1. Power: The Chevrolet Equinox is a model officially released by Chevrolet. The Equinox adopts Chevrolet's latest family-style design and is equipped with 1.5T and 2.0T engines. 2. Sales: Since its launch, the Chevrolet Equinox has won the title of "Most Attractive SUV Model of the Year."
The 4WD system of this car is quite hassle-free for daily use. During my daily commute on rainy and slippery roads, I can clearly feel the rear wheels kicking in, preventing the tires from skidding easily. Last time when driving on muddy rural roads, the 4WD engagement light on the dashboard immediately lit up, and I managed to pass through slowly without getting stuck. However, don't expect too much from it for serious off-roading—it lacks hardcore features like differential locks and can't handle complex cross-axle situations. But it's perfectly adequate for weekend family camping trips on unpaved roads. The key is that the computer-controlled 4WD responds quickly, keeping the body stable when crossing bumps and ditches.
The Equinox's on-demand AWD system relies on a central multi-plate clutch to distribute power, with two additional electromagnetic clutches on the rear axle for independent torque distribution. Simply put, when front wheel slip is detected, the system can instantly send up to 50% of power to the rear wheels, with a single rear wheel capable of receiving up to 3,000 N·m of torque. I've tested it on gravel slopes with starts and stops, and the intervention speed is faster than human reaction. But don't be fooled by the numbers—in practice, it feels more like an enhanced city SUV AWD system. It does offer noticeably better stability on snowy roads compared to 2WD, but it's definitely not meant for serious off-roading.
Compared to other city SUVs in the same price range, the Equinox's 4WD version has above-average climbing capability. Once when traveling into the mountains with friends' Nissan X-Trail and Toyota RAV4, its wheel slip control responded more promptly on continuous bumpy roads. However, after 30 minutes of continuous rough use, the transmission overheating warning light would activate, requiring a cooling stop. For those mainly driving on paved roads, the 2WD version offers better value. But for northern regions with frequent rain/snow or regular off-road use, the 4WD is essential - the confidence difference when crossing snow-covered rural roads is substantial.
