AS AMERICAN AS the Chevrolet brand might sound, it's ironic that the only model our local market has in common with the States is the Korean-made Aveo. Although parent company General Motors has repeatedly emphasised that Chevrolet is a global brand, one can't help but feel that it is the 'Americaness' of the brand that appeals, rather than the cars themselves, especially as they are mostly ex-Daewoo products.

The purists among us, however, might be glad to know that one American-made Chevrolet that may be sold here is the Equinox. This 3.4-litre Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is about the size of a Lexus RX300 but is positioned in its homeland as a 'compact' SUV.

The Equinox uses a car-like monocoque chassis for better on-road driving dynamics and overall refinement. It was also built with the knowledge that the majority of SUV owners never take their vehicles off-road. The Equinox trades utilitarian ruggedness for modern sophistication, with relatively low ground clearance that makes it easier for occupants to climb into its cabin.

Although there are many car-like touches that make the Equinox easy to live with, it still has enough bulk to endow it with the sort of street presence we have come to expect of an SUV.

DRIVING IT

Another ode to the increasing on-road emphasis of today's SUVs is the optional on-demand all-wheel drive system, which transmits power to the front wheels under normal driving conditions but transfers the drive to the rear wheels if the occasion calls for it.

Powered by a fairly simple 12-valve 3.4-litre V6 engine with 185bhp and 285Nm of torque, the Equinox gets a five-speed automatic transmission that is as smooth as any self-shifting gearbox found in an SUV today.

While the car handled the variety of surfaces we encountered at the Desert Proving Ground with poise and comfort, it has a chink in its armour in the shape of its electric power steering system.

Powered by an electric motor that runs off the alternator instead of an engine belt, this steering system promises fuel savings compared to a conventional set-up.

However, the car would probably be better off with a conventional power steering system as this electric system lacks real feel and feedback. On the other hand, the ultra-light steering would make the Equinox easy to manoeuvre in town.

INSIDE IT

Those looking for a practical SUV would be impressed with the Equinox's cabin, which is neatly styled and features many innovative and useful touches. The boot tray, for example, can be transformed into a two-tiered luggage compartment, or even into a picnic table. It would be a great selling point in showrooms.

As with the cleverest MPVs and hatchbacks, the rear bench of the Equinox can also slide back and forth, and provide a maxiumim boot capacity of 1,943 litres with all five occupants on board. Its split seatback can also be folded flat if longer loads need to be carried.

Up front, the Equinox's large windscreen gives a commanding view of the road ahead while the build quality of the dashboard is several notches better than that of most other American cars.

The seats feel like big, comfortable armchairs that you could spend all day in, while the stereo would satisfy the bass requirements of even the most demanding hip-hop fan.

DOLLARS AND SENSE

While it remains to be seen if the Equinox will be sold here at all, in its home market, the LS model we tested is priced just above the Jeep Liberty (read Cherokee Sport) and the Ford Escape V6, but just below the Land Rover Freelander. This means the Equinox should cost between $120,000-130,000 with COE, if it makes it here.

VERDICT

Should the Equinox hit local showrooms, it would have to compete with the likes of the Kia Sorento, SsangYong Rexton and Mitsubishi Pajero, the latter two offering seven-seat accomodation, albeit with limited legroom in the third row.

Is the Equinox good enough for our market? It certainly has the styling, refinement and even the build quality to compete with the more expensive cars mentioned. But its vague handling, tax-unfriendly 3.4-litre engine and lack of third-row seats mean that Chevrolet would have to price this car very keenly for us to appreciate this real piece of Americana.

NEED TO KNOW

Model Chevrolet Equinox LS
Engine 3,350cc, 12V V6
Max Power 185bhp at 5,200rpm
Max Torque 285Nm at 3,800rpm
Gearbox 5-speed automatic
Top Speed 180km/h
0-100 km/h 9.3 seconds
Price $ (TBA)
Contact CarBuyer@bigfish.com.sg and tell us if you would buy this car

SIMILAR CARS WE HAVE DRIVEN

Jeep Cherokee Sport $122,000 with COE

This American SUV is the Equinox's most direct rival, and boasts of a stronger off-road heritage than the Chevrolet. Its interior is smaller and less modern than the Equinox's, though.

SsangYong Rexton RX320 $138,888 with COE

The Rexton makes use of old Mercedes-Benz mechanicals, giving it a rugged, Germanic feel. It has a body-on-frame chassis compared to the Equinox's lighter monocoque body.