Remember in “Clerks” when Randal says, “This job would be great if it wasn’t for the [expletive] customers”? Well, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox would be great if it wasn’t for the [expletive] driving experience. In one of Cars.com’s most popular articles of the past week, reviewer Jennifer Geiger takes the Equinox to task for its weak acceleration, rough ride and noisy cabin despite otherwise mostly appreciating the updated-for-2023 compact SUV for its quality cabin materials, accommodating cargo space and user-friendly infotainment functions.
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In Geiger’s comprehensive critique of the Equinox, she laments that the SUV’s powertrain provides sad-trombone acceleration both from a stop and when performing (or, at least, attempting) passing maneuvers. Accompanying that forlorn horn is a symphony of road noise, wind noise, bumps, shimmies and shakes — all of which come in concert with a fuel-economy penalty relative to top competitors.
“While the 2023 Equinox has a few things going for it — namely no-nonsense controls and a car-seat-friendly backseat — many competitors have those attributes and comfortable road manners and more efficient powertrains,” Geiger concludes in her review. “The Equinox needs to be better if it really wants to compete.”
For our complete thoughts on the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox — including a full accounting of all the things it gets right — follow the link below to the No. 3 finisher on this week’s countdown of most read articles.
Coming in just below the Equinox is another SUV review, Cars.com reviewer Brian Normile’s comprehensive critique of the 2023 Honda Pilot. After an unfortunate stint as a minivan masquerading as an SUV in its previous generation, the fully redesigned Pilot is once again flying in formation with its mid-size three-row rivals. The new Pilot boasts a comfortable ride, adequate acceleration, a more manageable transmission, legitimate (if somewhat pointless) off-road capabilities in the TrailSport trim, a comfortable and configurable interior, and desperately needed infotainment upgrades.
“The 2023 Pilot is entering the market at a disadvantage after the flaws and flawed approach of its predecessor, but Honda has done an admirable job of clawing back into the competition,” Normile concludes in his review.
For our full take on the 2023 Honda Pilot, follow the link below to the No. 4 article of the week.
Beyond that, we have headlines on the Ford Maverick, affordable cars, cargo-accommodating cars, electric cars, discontinued cars and more — so don’t stop reading till the digits double. Here are the top 10 news stories Cars.com readers couldn’t get enough of in the past week:
1. 2023 Cars.com Affordability Report: Best Value New Cars
2. Which SUVs, Minivans and Sedans Have the Most Cargo Space?
3. 2023 Chevrolet Equinox Review: Likable — in Park
4. 2023 Honda Pilot Review: Flying Straight and Level
5. What’s New With Electric Vehicles for 2023?
6. Is the Inventory Shortage Coming to an End?
7. Here Are the New Electric Vehicles Planned by 2026
8. Leased and Used Electric Vehicles Now Qualify for Federal Tax Credits
9. Masterson to Masterson: Driving Our Ford Maverick 2,800 Miles for the Bit
10. These 14 Cars Are Discontinued for 2023; Which Ones Can You Still Buy?
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
