[njeandgmc]

I've seen a lot of posts on here about the fuel economy of their Nox or Terrain. Some extremely pleased and some displeased.

DH and I purchased for somewhat different reasons. I wanted the height of the CUV/SUV ride over that of a car. I was getting 22.3 mpg combined overall in my car, so I am hoping to see some improvement at the pump, but not tremendous. DH bought basically for savings at the pump. (And when I test drove a Terrain with Nav, he was hooked and had to have a new toy! LOL). Also, by purchasing less expensive vehicles, our car payments decreased even after carrying some negative equity. All in all, hoping as gas prices rise, and especially if/when they reach $4-$5 per gallon, we'll be singing the praises of our LTZ's.

Just wondering, was your reason for purchasing your Nox/Terrain to get improved mpg and gas savings at the pump? (Keep in mind, "savings" is a relative term, not actual $$ spent at the pump during rising prices, but are you saving over what you would have paid in your previous ride?) If not, what was behind your choice?

 

[djmodifyd]

it was part of it.

I had a 2007 escalade...for one the cadillac dealer here i swear is age discriminating (i'm fairly young...and i swear they thought daddy bought it..any way thats another story)

going to the 2010 equinox for a few reasons: dealer (best dealer i've ever worked with), brand new, better warranty, and money. Between the payment, insurance and fuel i'm saving over $400 a month.

 

[Colt Hero]

Not a gas savings-driven choice for me at all. It was just time to buy. I had started my purchase search in 2009 checking on '08 leftovers that might be worth purchasing. Found an '07 Uplander 1LT fully loaded (leftover 2.5 years !!), missing only the FAT system and leather ... could've had it for $12,500 OTD, but ultimately passed on it. Next was a leftover '08 Equinox 1LT ... again, could've had it for $14,200 OTD, but passed again. Then there was an '08 Equinox Sport 1LT for around $16,500 OTD (passed again). Then came the Traverse vs. (new) Equinox deliberations. Absolutely NO 2010 Equinoxes leftover anywhere and the 2010 Traverse leftovers weren't exactly what I wanted and the pricing STUNK, so it fell to the 2011's. Came REAL close to buying the '2011 Traverse 1LT with Camera, Personal Conductivity and Trailering for $26,000 OTD, but ultimately went with the 2011 Equinox for $20,700 OTD deciding the Traverse was bigger than we really needed (4 of us), and would add more additional cost over its lifetime (up-front and in gas) than I thought it was worth.

All that said, (not absolutely sure what the actual number is yet) but it appears the Equinox will end up costing me somewhere between $300 and $500 MORE in fuel costs every year over either of my predecessor V6 sedan cars (Taurus 3.0L, Impala 3.4L). Since I drive my vehicles 10 years or 200,000 miles (whichever comes last), that's upwards of $5000 more in fuel over it's lifetime.

Next vehicle will almost surely be a hybrid or plug-in. With the kids gone and gas prices likely near $5/gallon, fuel economy will move to the forefront. 22 mpg ain't gonna cut it. I'll be looking for AT LEAST double that. Maybe a 3rd generation Volt?

 

[2010Nox]

Fuel savings was the reason for getting the 2.4L and not AWD in ours, but not the main reason for purchasing the Equinox itself.

The 2010 Equinox replaced our '99 Pontiac Transsport and while the 3.4L van gave decent fuel economy, the Equinox is better. As would be expected with less displacement, DI, a 6 spd. and with about the same weight.

It definitely gets better fuel mileage than our '05 Sierra 4X4 crew, but if your buying an Equinox/Terrain for only the fuel savings then there are better choices.

I think you would buy an Equinox/Terrain because you like the look/style, comfort & ride, size/proportions, features/options, performance and fuel economy relative to this type of vehicle from other manufactures. For strictly fuel economy you could get a tiny car but I personally don't like cramped, tiny cars from a comfort, style and safety perspective. That's why I like driving the Sierra the most because it's higher and more roomy inside. For a 4X4 it has a decent ride partly because of it's weight and wheelbase but the 5.3L fuel consumption is relatively high especially in city driving. Not "Dodge Hemi high", but more than I would like to use on an everyday basis.

One of the things that hampers the Equinox/Terrain from achieving even better fuel economy than it already gets is it's fairly high curb weight for this type of vehicle. But that weight is what contributes to it nicer ride and quietness.

Overall the Equinox/Terrain are good vehicles that perform well, look good, handle and ride well, have lots of modern features and get decent fuel mileage with decent power and at a competitive price. Long term durability will be seen over time.

That's more than can be said for some of the other competition whether they be higher priced or lower. And one of the lowest priced ones around doesn't even come close to providing the fuel economy, style, features and comfort of the Equinox/Terrain. Unfortunately many people only look at the bottom line price without considering what they're getting for the money and how they'll like it for the 4-8 years they will be paying for it.

 

[jmlock]

The fuel mileage is just an added bonus as far as I'm concerned. My wife and I weren't even considering a Nox until we jumped in one at the car show. Man, the quality has vastly improved over our '06 Trailblazer, which I still own. But we've always gone mid-level in a car until we sat in an LTZ. This is the first time we went all out and even got the sunroof. But we went with the FWD L4 for fuel economy. If I need to tow, I've got the Trailvoy w/ 4x4 if needed.

 

[NoobNox]

For me it will be a gas savings, but pretty small. The car I was driving immediately before the Nox was an 04 Mazda6 with a V6 and it only got 1-2mpg less on the highway and roughly the same in town as my 2010 Nox with the I4...but since the Nox is a longer, taller and heavier vehicle I feel that it's more than a fair tradeoff even for the modest MPG gains. My neighbors bought a new Tahoe around the same time I bought the Nox and are already seriously considering downsizing. The days of sub $2/gal gas are in the past and will never be seen again....anyone with a total daily commute of more than 5 miles will have to seriously consider MPG as a major priority for future purchases.

Oh, and my wife works from home and has a company car (Ford Fusion, pretty nice car) that she drives when she has to go out. Since her gas is paid for during the week it doesn't factor into our budget..

 

[njeandgmc]

Oh, and my wife works from home and has a company car (Ford Fusion, pretty nice car) that she drives when she has to go out. Since her gas is paid for during the week it doesn't factor into our budget..

Wow! I want a job like that!

 

[NoobNox]

Wow! I want a job like that!

You and me both brother! Of course her company requires all use to be logged weekly...and personal use she has to pay for the gas. Still a pretty good deal only having to own one vehicle for both of us.

 

[dishdude]

How do you work from home and have a company car? lol

 

[NoobNox]

How do you work from home and have a company car? lol

Medical prosthetic sales which sometimes requires visiting doctors offices/hospitals or even patients homes for fittings...most of the business is done by phone/fax/internet though.

 

[Mrmidnite2]

Regular gas jumped yesterday up to $1.28 a litre.....with 4.54 litres to our "Canadian " gallon, that works out to about $5.81 a gallon....it is expected that gas will continue to rise until summer and will likely hit $1.50 a litre, or, $6.81 a gallon for regular fuel...

So, fuel economy was a factor when I went from a 2009 Pontiac Montana (same as the US Chev Uplander) last summer, as the Montana was fine in summer weather, but as soon as it chilled out up here in N. Ontario, gas mileage plummeted to 15 or 16 litres or more per 100 kilometers...The Terrain, by comparison, is rated at 6.1 litres per 100 kms highway, and around 9 litres per 100 kms in the City. Obviously a great fuel savings even in cold winter weather.
I needed room for 2 big dogs, and the Terrain is quite suitable. A previous Jeep Patriot (2008) was too small, and had little stowage room....so I got rid of that, got the Montana, and then traded for a 2010 Terrain....

The Terrain is a fine vehicle, despite a few quirks which GM will sort out as the model "matures"....It drives well on poor roads as well as paved highways, has fabulous traction in snow and icy conditions with winter tires (and in my case, just FWD) has a number of safety and convenience features usually found on more expensive autos, and all in all is a pleasure to drive and own...

I was and am, very pleased with my decision to purchase my Terrain....

 

[RNOX]

My wife and I are lucky. I work from home and she just drives to the train station 2 days a week and works from home the other 3. We put on very little mileage. If things don't settle down I wouldn't be surprised if gas in the US goes to $5.00 a gallon. Soon the refineries have to switch over to summer blends and with the driving season starting in the spring causes the prices to rise. I will only buy a 4 cyl vehicle and SUV's with FWD to get the best mileage I can.

Was reading an article how Hyundayi makes it;s own high strength low weight steel. They were able to cut 128 lbs on the new Sonata .vs the prior model using this steel and other changes. They are going to use this steel to make their car body frames lighter by 10%.

 

[MOCHA11NOX]

If things don't settle down I wouldn't be surprised if gas in the US goes to $5.00 a gallon.

Watch for that to happen here in California first I imagine...

We bought the NOX for MPG...

 

[RNOX]

Watch for that to happen here in California first I imagine...

We bought the NOX for MPG...

CA pretty much has some of the hight gas prices in the mainland US.

 

[MOCHA11NOX]

CA pretty much has some of the hight gas prices in the mainland US.

LOL...we don't relish leading the way !

Much rather be known for being a bunch of liberal, pot smoking, surfer, hippy types that don't know when to shut up

On a more personal note...we live within 25 miles of 4 refineries and routinely pay more than other localities a considerable distance away.

Subsidizing fuel transportation costs is one thing I find objectionable...but economic strategies suggest...charge what the market will bear

The S.F. bay area is one of those markets

 

[John223]

I replaced an 08 Edge awd with a 3.5 v6 with an 11' Terrain 2.4-awd. with about 19k mi/yr i estimate to save 235 gal per year(17.8 mpg vs. 22.8 mpg) Or about $65 per month. This was helpful in the decision and in keeping the payments/budget in the same range. Actually, the car payment would up being the same, so i am ahead slightly on gas savings. This was a consideration, mainly needed to get rid of the edge r/t too many problems...(leave that for another forum)

 

[Mrcaver2u]

LOL...we don't relish leading the way !

Much rather be known for being a bunch of liberal, pot smoking, surfer, hippy types that don't know when to shut up

Mom?

 

[Z_Ghost]

I had a cobalt SS that was able to get way over 30 mpg going 75+ on the HWY but was a pain on long trips at times and I needed more room for all my stuff I take with me to Yellowstone.
Now if I can get everhing set I will be going to make the 4000 mile round trip there late this year.
I did fill up today and got on the HWY and drove 25 miles at 70 to 75 mph and got 31.5 mpg.
The more I drive the Terrain the more I figure out how to get the mpg to go up.
Best I ever got in the Cobalt was 36 at 80 mph so I can see getting over 32 in the Terrain.

 

[X11Fan]

Let's see.....

Getting 7 MPG more than the 2007 Nitro R/T.....

Which should save us $45 per month in fuel at today's prices.

 

[njeandgmc]

All that said, (not absolutely sure what the actual number is yet) but it appears the Equinox will end up costing me somewhere between $300 and $500 MORE in fuel costs every year over either of my predecessor V6 sedan cars (Taurus 3.0L, Impala 3.4L). Since I drive my vehicles 10 years or 200,000 miles (whichever comes last), that's upwards of $5000 more in fuel over it's lifetime.

Really? Do you mean if gas prices were to stay flat, or in light of the rising prices? If you mean the former, that surprises me, even in the V6. Would have thought it to be more comparable. The fuel economy rating of the V6 was almost exactly the same as my Lucerne 3.8L V6 and I was showing an actual average mpg of 22.3 on the Lucerne. In an economy of reasonably flat gas prices, I would have stayed with a V6. My decision in purchasing the 4L was totally mpg driven and I hope I don't regret it. My purchase of the Equinox was because I liked the vehicle and had been wanting a CUV for some time.