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Comments
its different. I would suggest the LT.
Although they didn't really have many bad things to say they didn't give the Nox a recommendation and im not sure why. The only thing I agree with them on is fuel economy. GM really needs to address the current engine in the Nox if it is to remain competitive.
Never really read Consumer Reports but was dying to see what they said about the Nox.
Motortrend rated the Nox First over the 05 Escape XLT Sport 4WD, 03 Santa Fe 4WD GLS, 04 VUE AWD Red Line
Car and Driver had this to say: "True, our house is packed full of enthusiasts, but that doesn't mean we can't appreciate a car for the way it fulfills its mission. And like Toyota's Camry, the Equinox is one of those vehicles?"
Truck Trend is about to name SUV of the Year and the Nox is a competitor.
AutoWeek says of the Nox: "The Equinox not only shames its platform-mate, we think it is good enough to challenge Ford and the Asians as the best mini ute you can buy for the money"
Now taking all of that into account its hard to believe what Consumer Reports has to say.
Can you fit four sets of golf clubs and four passengers in this vehicle?
Why a nox? what other vehicles did you come close to buying...and why did you settle on this one?
thanks for your help!
My suggestion is that you read other messages I posted here and under "Equinox problems and solutions". I had two Equinoxes with the same odor problem.
Excluding the odor problem, the Equinox is a great vehicle and, in my opinion, beats all close competitors like Toyota RAV 4, Honda CR-V, Toyota Highlander, Ford Escape, KIA Sorrento and so on.
The gas mileage definitely sucks. My 2004 Chevy Venture (and a 1998 model I had before) also uses a similar 3.4 V6 engine and makes up to 29 mpg on highways (20-22 in the city). I is worth mentioning here that the Venture has a 4-speed transmission, while the Equinox uses a 5-speed transmission.
I would expect the Equinox to do better, or at least, be comparable to my Venture. However, my first Equinox would make 18 mpg on highways and not more than 13 mpg in the city. This low mpg may be related to a brand new engine, as I never drove more than 3000 miles with the Equinox. The second Equinox did beter in terms of mpg. It would make 18 mpg in the city and its best result was 21.5 mpg on highways.
Just to compare, my brand new Nissan Murano (it has a 245 HP V6 engine, compared to the 185 HP V6 on the Equinox) makes 26 mpg on highways and 20 mpg in the city. And I have less than 1500 miles on the vehicle.
I discussed the gas mileage with the dealer and the rep mentioned that it would improve over time as the car accumulated more miles. I was never able to see that would happen next. I only drove less than 1500 with my first Equinox, and around 3,000 with the second
A lot has been made by GM about the extra leg room in the rear seat. Excuse me, but as a 6'4" driver, what I need is more legroom in the front, and I don't have it. In spite of my height, I have difficulty seeing over the rear seat headrests; combined with the wide door posts and the tiny and useless rearmost side windows, this makes backing up a perilous maneuver and I'm always afraid to run over a child, or back into some expensive sportscar.
Visibility to the rear is not the only problem, as the windshield posts are wide enough to completely block view of another car that is more than 20-25 feet away. This too can present a danger.
Perhaps due to its long wheelbase, the vehicle has a very wide turning circle diameter, and I find myself frequently backing up to maneuver around parking lots. U-turns without backing up are impossible on all but the widest roads.
What with all the much ballyhooed rear seat room the seats should fold down flat. Alas, they don't, which kind of takes the "U" out of SUV.
In the driver's seat, I find the centralization of all the various wiper and washer functions on one lever to be too fidgety. Locating the power window buttons on the console was an outright stupid idea, and it took me months to figure out how to get fresh air into the vehicle without having either the air conditioner or heater come on. Although the steering column is supposedly "adjustable", the movement is so minimal as to be negligible. Placement of the handbrake lever under the console storage box makes it very awkward to reach, especially if the fold-out cupholders are in use.
What do I *like* about the vehicle? It has good looks with an aggressive stance, power is more than adequate, and the five speed automatic shifts so smooth, one is unaware of it even during hard acceleration or passing.
In summation, would I buy another one? Due to the visibility issues and the lack of maneuverabilty in tight spaces, I would not.
How do you like the steering? I have read that some people find it "artificial". Personally, I like it very much. What do you think?
I also agree with you when you mentioned the rear seat headrests. They also look a little bit too high to me, but I did not have major problems maneuvering. I imagine this is one detail GM will adjust in the future.
A lot has not been made by GM about the extra leg room in the rear seat. Excuse me, but as a 6'4" driver, what you should have done was thoroughly tested the vehicle for personal comfort before you acquired this vehicle. Just in case you didn’t notice the seats didn’t just readjust themselves after you acquired the vehicle. You failed to do your part and now your blaming GM? What a crock! However, you earn big brownie points on the fuel estimates because that is a serious fault of the vehicle.
Personally, if I had had so much difficulty with the headrests, door posts, and tiny useless rearmost side windows I would not have purchased this vehicle. So why do you have it?
You say that the windshield post are wide enough to block the view of vehicles 20-25 feet away. Because you said windshield you must mean those vehicles to the front and front-right and front-left of you. I would imagine if those pillars were that wide that this vehicle would be in violation of some federal law. Which brings up the question ...... Did you notice this when you took a test drive or did you take a test drive?
For myself personally, rear seats that fold completely flat are not a big issue. If im gonna carry something, im gonna get it in the vehicle permitting the hump from the seats is not too great. But I would have thought that this would have been something you would have discovered before you acquired your vehicle. Or were you not interested in giving it a good look over first?
Once again I say personally, I find that the move of the window buttons to the center to be better. That’s the way it was on my first car an 89 Baretta GT and I absolutely love it that way. It just a matter if preference.
LOL dude, with as many quibbles as you have about the Equinox, I find it highly unusual that you would have this vehicle when there are so many other choices. So whats the real story, did you win it, did someone give it to you or what?
Did someone other than the salesperson strongly encourage you to buy the Nox? :-) Again, I'm not trying to pick on you raybid1, but I would definitely like to know how you could have possibly made such an erroneous choice in vehicles for your personal taste.
Ron M.
First off, it sounds like none of those who took exception to my opinions of this vehicle had ever made a decision he later regretted. Are you happy with your chosen profession? How about choosing your mate? How about something as inconsequential as whether you should wear long or short sleeve on a cool spring morning? Yes on all counts? Oh how wonderful it must feel to be perfect.
Oh yes, about the car.
My wife and I have been overseas the past three years and had just returned. The car we brought back with us wouldn't arrive for another three weeks, and being a two-seater, we also wanted a full size vehicle for long distance travel as well as for shopping trips and chores around the house. Until we purchased a car, we drove a rental, which would have been expensive in the long run, so we went about looking for an SUV immediately. Our proposed budget was 25K. We checked the Subaru Forester, and while it handled well and had reasonable comfort, it lacked power.
Next I checked the Honda CRV, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Toyota Highlander and the Ford Escape, and drove each. For comfort and all around features I liked the Ford Escape best; my only reservation about it being its excessive road noise, and somewhat tainted reputation of reliability.
And then there was the Equinox.
Granted, after driving six other models in two days, my mind was somewhat muddled with details of each, and rather than judging each vehicle on its own merits, I was comparing various attributes and tried to come up with the best combination, the "least of all evils" so to say. One had more power, another more comfort, yet another looked better, or provided better mileage, steering, brake action, less lean in curves, etc, etc.
The two cars I went back to for a second look were the Escape and the Nox. With wife in the passenger seat and salesman in the back, I took each for a 8-10 mile loop, combining freeway, city and winding country roads. Yes, the Escape had better seat positioning, but the Nox impressed me with its effortless acceleration, smooth shifts, and light steering feedback. I thought it was more car-like, whereas the Escape had more of a truck feel to it. But I never backed up with it, and with the salesman blocking my rear view as he perched over the backrest of my seat, I didn't check rearward visibility.
I did notice the different placement of driver controls, but felt that as is the case with all new cars, I'd get used to it. Somehow I never did.
It was later, during various driving expriences that I found other things I alluded to in my original post, and didn't like. A recent review by Consumer Digest agrees with many of the things I observed.
Is this a *BAD* vehicle? Not by a long shot, but I stand by my opinion that it has a number of minor flaws as well as some serious safety issues. In the end, it's just not nearly as well suited for me as I'd like. Fortunately, I'm in a position where I can afford to lose a few bucks on it, and perhaps move up to a higher end SUV that fulfills all my requirements. Presently it is parked in the garage, and we're driving the Porsche.
Ray B.
I bought a NOX about a week and a half ago. It drove like a dream, didn't give me any cause for concerns/worries, at least until yesterday morning when the "check engine light" indicator went steady ON.
Manual says it's better if it stays steady ON rather than blinking.
I brought it to my dealer's service bay, and although a technician made the check engine light turn off (after he hooked up what looked like a small test device underneath my front panel and pushed a couple of buttons), somehow, I still don't feel comfortable since he told me it could be becuase I left the fuel cap loose - which is most likely not the case, as I told him, considering I'm very conscious about making sure the cap is sealed properly after each fuel re-fill. I'm positive nobody has put fuel in my NOX aside from me since I bought it.
Anybody who's had the same experience before w/ their NOX? What's the risk that there might be an issue that the technician didn't really uncover when he did his thing w/ my vehicle (took him less than a minute to do it!).
I just want to make sure I'm not inducing more damage to my vehicle by continuing to drive it.
And more importantly, i want to make sure It's safe for me to continue to drive it.
Thanks!
At any rate its definately not a big issue. Watch that you tighten the gas cap over the next few fillups and if it comes on have them pressure test the gas cap. Good Luck keep us posted.
On the other hand, after reading all the postings re the bad odor coming from the coolant, I've checked under my hood and found out that my coolant is indeed starting to turn brownish. I removed the cap and got a taste of that bad smell that everyone seems to be talking about.
Just a confirmation, all that's needed is for the cooling system hoses to be replaced, right? Are these parts (i.e. hoses) available from GM now?
Thanks!
There is no official TSB available yet, but it is a known fact GM is working on one. I talked with my service manager last week and until that time he had not seen anything form GM.
Another owner reported that the hoses will need to be replaced, but those hoses will need to be different from the ones currently in use. I do not know if this means they will come from a different supplier, or they will need to be made of a different rubber stock.
I think the best option at this point is to keep in touch with your service manager.
On the other hand, after reading all the postings re the bad odor coming from the coolant, I've checked under my hood and found out that my coolant is indeed starting to turn brownish. I removed the cap and got a taste of that bad smell that everyone seems to be talking about.
Just a confirmation, all that's needed is for the cooling system hoses to be replaced, right? Are these parts (i.e. hoses) available from GM now?
Thanks!
Thanks
I drove the vehicle today and at first I taught it was the electric power steering, then the brakes until driving slowly over some speed bumps the creaking noise also became evident and that's were I became suspicious of the front struts. The car has only 600 miles on it.
My Sister and brother in law traded a very problematic 2001 Chevy Impala base sedan on the '05 Equinox to get rid of WEEKLY dealer repair visits. Its been 2 weeks with the 'Nox AND HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!!!!
Called Chevy customer service and opened a complaint file on the vehicle. We will bring it in for service tomorrow morning. Needless to say we are all extremely dissapointed at the LACK of quality control exhibited on GM products of late.
No foul smells yet, but since thier Equinox is an early build date, there is the likehood for this serious problem to develop.
Awesome and neat vehicle but so-so quality control.... Not very impressed We will ask for a repurchase/replacement.
We have ZERO tolerance for lousy quality.
I am likely to order a new LT Black with 1SD package ,sunroof, leather/heated seats, headside airbags, and maybe XM (I do not want to pay the premium for OnStar).
I am 6'8" - I think the front seat room is pretty good. Even better, if the rear seat is all the way back, then someone can actually sit behind me. Perhaps because of my increased height, I don't have any problems with visibility. My wife is 5'1" - she hasn't mentioned any problem and when we first got it I specifically asked her about visibility.
I love the car/truck, but the turning radius is almost comical. At least the steering is smooth and easy.
It's funny so many people have problems with the center window controls. It actually took you months to figure out where they were? German cars have located them there for years. I had an "S" class Mercedes that put them there. One good thing, is the front passenger can work them, freeing the driver to pay attention to the road.
I agree that the cupholders get in the way. I also wish the side storage pockets were bigger.
Better luck next time.
As a Nox owner since May I can agree with your complaints allthough for the most part they are annoyances for me, not major issues.
I like my Nox, it's fun to drive and I haven't had any problems with it and in fact I haven't even had to take it in for servicing yet. But there are things that make it a less than perfect car. Not enough for me to buy a different vehicle yet that is priced similarly however.
I looked at SUVs for about two years trying to find one to replace my beloved Rodeo before settling on the Nox. I'm only 5'8" and couldn't believe the number of small utes that I hit my head on getting in or out, or the ones where people under the age of 10 wouldn't fit in the back seat.
Is the AWD a little higher , or are they the same stance?
On dry pavement do they handle close to same or a lot different?
Thanks
The fix does work... Mine was done just over 500 miles ago and for once My Equinox has the proper coolant color and NO SMELL in or outside of the vehicle..
It is nice to enjoy driving my new car once again!
I am one of those equinox owners who are waiting for the new hoses that would supposedly fix the "bad odor" problem emanating from the coolant.
Sorry for my ignorance, but if a TSB is released in the U.S., does this mean the same is true in Canada?
Anyways, since I still have this problem and my coolant has turned black, should I worry about any possible overheating?
I was negotiating really heavy traffic earlier today, driving really slow, and noticed that my engine temperature gauge read slightly above the halfway mark for a while. The meter went back to the normal (between 10:30 to 11 o'clock position in the gauge) when I finally got a chance to drive faster.
Is this reading, at the halfway mark during really heavy traffic, normal?
'Appreciate your inputs.
Thanks!
I was hoping to get some tips on how to expedite resolving this issue on my vehicle --the odor's just becoming unbearable.
How much time would I buy for myself if I have the cooling system flushed, without changing the hoses?
Thanks!
Rick
I don't have any numbers on it but judging from what I read in Consumer Reports and some owner feedback here, the engine in the NOX is putting out some wild numbers concerning its fuel economy.
I really really wanna get one but im gonna hold off on making a purchase until they fix this. The NOX is a far better choice over the VUE so you'd think GM would gladly throw the Honda engine in the NOX but I assume there is a reason they are not. Hopefully, they are developing a better engine or something.
Have any of you owners seen your mileage improve yet?
If you scan the post covering the subject you'll find most owners mentioning that their Nox is not getting the mileage it should, however, many were being prompted to give the engine time to be broken in.
The engine in your Malibu sounds good however, if it were put in the Nox, I'm not sure if GM engineers can make it return the same numbers you get in the Malibu. We have to take into consideration that the Nox is much heavier and can carry more weight than the Malibu. But then maybe the engineers have a way of making that happen.
I read a quick note in MotroTrend 06 Vehicle Forecst today that said GM (MIGHT) offer a Hybrid powertrain and CVT in the Nox.
Not sure I want to wait for a Hybrid engine but it sure would be nice. Will also be interesting to see what Pontiac puts in the Torrent.
The engine that the 'Nox uses comes from China, and I don't think that GM will want to pull the plug on this venture too quickly. I have not driven a 'Nox, but the are pretty nice looking both inside and out.
I have read the 2.4L Ecotec may be replacing the 2.2L in the VUE next year.
Was also impressed with the Five Hundred. Ford did an excellent job on that car.
I don't understand why an SUV this small with a V6 doesn't get better fuel economy. I have the AWD version which is technically rated the same as FWD. I would have expected 16 mpg over this same stretch in my full size Ford Expedition 2WD.
Anyone getting worse mileage than me?