FrontRange4Runner
New member
The 4Runner is finally in the body shop after a small brawl with a Jetta. The Jetta lost, but the Runner sustained minor damage to the rear bumper and drivers side rear quarter panel. Anyways, I thought it would be interesting to post some thoughts here as this Chevy Equinox is considered by Enterprise to be a "comparable mid sized SUV".
My initial thoughts on 10 min of drive time: It's much smaller, very low to the ground and basically feels like a mid sized Chevy car would feel. It has a decent ride, is more nimble and the brakes are super touchy(not a negative, just some getting used to required). Reminds me of the Forester XT I just helped my GF's Dad get, only not as good in most ways. Oh and the door closing sound is much better on the Chevy - feels solid and has a good sound.
GF's initial thoughts(she's the one who will be driving it): "Oh god I hope it's not toooo big, I can't drive a big vehicle (in my head: yeah because the Runner is small...compared to the battleships(4Runner) she normally drives?) OH!.... it's about the size of our old accord"
-Pulling out of the parking spot and stopping to adjust the mirrors after about 5 feet: "Holy SH** the brakes are sensitive"
-"It's very smooth.... - we have E rated tires at 40psi so this I totally understand
-"I don't like how the wind from other vehicles knocks me around. It does not feel safe"
-"I really like how the screen in the middle tells me how fast I'm going"
-"Every time I get out, I try to use the step like on the 4Runner, but there isn't one so I fall"
-"It's at a weird height and I keep falling when I get out"
-"It feels brittle, like I'm going to break it, I can just hit stuff in the Runner and it is solid" Me: "wait, what the hell are you hitting?" Her "Just potholes and stuff" (...dammit woman!)
So there you have it, we have had the Equinox for about 10 hours. I find it interesting that many companies and people will see them in the same category, when in reality they are not even close. They have very different missions in life, and I think it's fun to compare them if they are going to be lumped into the same category. Once I get some more drive time, I will be able to give a better assessment.
My initial thoughts on 10 min of drive time: It's much smaller, very low to the ground and basically feels like a mid sized Chevy car would feel. It has a decent ride, is more nimble and the brakes are super touchy(not a negative, just some getting used to required). Reminds me of the Forester XT I just helped my GF's Dad get, only not as good in most ways. Oh and the door closing sound is much better on the Chevy - feels solid and has a good sound.
GF's initial thoughts(she's the one who will be driving it): "Oh god I hope it's not toooo big, I can't drive a big vehicle (in my head: yeah because the Runner is small...compared to the battleships(4Runner) she normally drives?) OH!.... it's about the size of our old accord"
-Pulling out of the parking spot and stopping to adjust the mirrors after about 5 feet: "Holy SH** the brakes are sensitive"
-"It's very smooth.... - we have E rated tires at 40psi so this I totally understand
-"I don't like how the wind from other vehicles knocks me around. It does not feel safe"
-"I really like how the screen in the middle tells me how fast I'm going"
-"Every time I get out, I try to use the step like on the 4Runner, but there isn't one so I fall"
-"It's at a weird height and I keep falling when I get out"
-"It feels brittle, like I'm going to break it, I can just hit stuff in the Runner and it is solid" Me: "wait, what the hell are you hitting?" Her "Just potholes and stuff" (...dammit woman!)
So there you have it, we have had the Equinox for about 10 hours. I find it interesting that many companies and people will see them in the same category, when in reality they are not even close. They have very different missions in life, and I think it's fun to compare them if they are going to be lumped into the same category. Once I get some more drive time, I will be able to give a better assessment.
