Reader Review of the Week: 2012 Chevrolet Equinox

We’ve talked about the apparent disparity between the Chevrolet Equinox’s stated gas mileage and its real-world returns. “On the road” from Union Grove, Wis., is noticing the same thing in the new 2012 Equinox. The reader does a lot of highway driving, but instead of seeing something closer to the stated 32 mpg rating, “On the road” is getting 26 mpg. Continue reading the full review below. Once you’re done, write a review about your own car here.

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“I just bought this 2012 1LT front-wheel-drive Equinox. It’s a nice car overall, but with the four-cylinder it’s underpowered. If you’re looking at buying this car, I would strongly recommend getting the V-6. I put on 33,000 miles on an average year; those who really drive, or travel, will understand… I have put 2,300 miles on this thing in less than one month. Lots of highway miles.

“The best mileage I have gotten is with the cruise control and ‘Eco’ feature on; that boosts mileage to 26 mpg. The trouble is the I4 can’t hold 65 mph up highway inclines without downshifting a lot. For those who know, this means loss of gas mileage. I traded in my 2009 Pontiac Vibe, which had a manual transmission and got 33 mpg on the highway and 31 mpg driving the car like you meant it. With this Equinox and the I4, plan to drive like the grandma causing the traffic jam.”