[DavidPJ]

Last week's Motorweek episode performed a "$29K SUV shootout. At that price point is was mostly a CUV shootout. It was a good eisode and included 9 best selling SUV/CUVs. The Equinox took first place!

Here's a summary of the episode:
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt3022a.shtml

 

[NoobNox]

The best part about this shootout is the fact that the testers included a real family. Joey Lawrence may be an actor, but he hasn't spent years testing car after car every week for his job....and adding the input of his wife and kids was a nice touch. I test drove almost every car in that shootout (and some that weren't included) and noticed many of the same things they did. Considering that the new Equinox isn't exactly "all new" (based on the same basic platform that came out in the first gen in 05) it's amazing that GM managed to not only beat the long time segment leaders, but also some truly all new contenders as well.

 

[GARYD]

I watch Motorweek religously every week, but I haven't seen this episode yet. What area do you guys live in?

 

[NoobNox]

I watch Motorweek religously every week, but I haven't seen this episode yet. What area do you guys live in?

I just read the article, haven't seen anything on tv..

 

[GARYD]

It was said last weeks episode. I just assumed it was a TV episode.

 

[NateDC]

This is covered in USA Today also:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2011-02-11-suvshootout11_CV_N.htm

 

[GARYD]

That episode finally showed here on PBS. Great reviews as always. Love that show.

 

[barhoc11]

I think what surprised me the most about this was not that the Equinox got first but that the refreshed Dodge Journey took second! This was one of the worst cars only a year ago and after updating the interior and adding new engine it took second. I was impressed but would never consider that over a Nox. Anyone else shocked to see the results? I expected the Kia to take second since that seemed like a nice car.

 

[NoobNox]

I think what surprised me the most about this was not that the Equinox got first but that the refreshed Dodge Journey took second! This was one of the worst cars only a year ago and after updating the interior and adding new engine it took second. I was impressed but would never consider that over a Nox. Anyone else shocked to see the results? I expected the Kia to take second since that seemed like a nice car.

I'm not at all suprised that the Nox won, considering that it also won my personal "shootout" between many of the same vehicles in this article. I can see where an interior update and new engine could make a big difference...but I didn't even consider the Journey because of less than favorable reviews form both professional reviewers and actual owners. The fact that an updated (but essentially the same) Journey beat out all the others including previous segement leaders makes this "shootout" a little suspect to me...two American makes at the top is quite unusual to say the least. This thing almost makes me want to go down to my local Chrysler dealer and check out the Journey even though I'm not in the market for a new car..

 

[gearhead]

This is covered in USA Today also:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2011-02-11-suvshootout11_CV_N.htm

Interesting statement from the article:

In 145 miles of highway driving, CR-V and Tucson tied for best fuel economy at 28.8 mpg on their trip computers. Sportage was last but still tallied a respectable 26.6 mpg.

 

[gearhead]

I'm not at all suprised that the Nox won, considering that it also won my personal "shootout" between many of the same vehicles in this article. I can see where an interior update and new engine could make a big difference...but I didn't even consider the Journey because of less than favorable reviews form both professional reviewers and actual owners. The fact that an updated (but essentially the same) Journey beat out all the others including previous segement leaders makes this "shootout" a little suspect to me...two American makes at the top is quite unusual to say the least. This thing almost makes me want to go down to my local Chrysler dealer and check out the Journey even though I'm not in the market for a new car..

We considered the Journey when testing.
It wasn't bad but the wife thought it looked too much like a van.
Also, I'd heard (from Chrysler employees) to stay away from it for a while due to drivetrain issues.
I can't remember specifically what the issues were but trusted their judgement, plus we've been a GM family for the most part, except for Dad who finally bought a 2004 0r 2005 Chrysler Concorde loaded at the age of 76 (and he loves it).

 

[NoobNox]

We considered the Journey when testing.
It wasn't bad but the wife thought it looked too much like a van.
Also, I'd heard (from Chrysler employees) to stay away from it for a while due to drivetrain issues.
I can't remember specifically what the issues were but trusted their judgement, plus we've been a GM family for the most part, except for Dad who finally bought a 2004 0r 2005 Chrysler Concorde loaded at the age of 76 (and he loves it).

Yeah, I always thought the Journey had a sort of raised station wagon look to it...not really a bad looking vehicle from certain angles, but still not my style. My impression of current Chrysler products comes from a co-worker who has an 08 300....it's black with 20" wheels and looks great on the outside, but riding in it you can see that the interior looks very low rent compared to the outside. It rides softer than my Nox, but it seems to have more wind/road noise at higher speeds and actually less rear seat legroom even though it's an overall larger vehicle.

 

[NoobNox]

This is covered in USA Today also:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2011-02-11-suvshootout11_CV_N.htm

Looking at the comments following the article, it seems that many USA today readers are clueless as to why these vehicles are considered cross-overs more than simply a smaller SUV. Of course if you tried to explain unibody versus body on frame to the average person you would get a blank stare with glazed over eyes..

 

[2010Nox]

I think what surprised me the most about this was not that the Equinox got first but that the refreshed Dodge Journey took second! This was one of the worst cars only a year ago and after updating the interior and adding new engine it took second.

Now just think about all those poor people that are paying for a 2010 for 5 to 7 years and now seeing that the 2011 is much improved.

To help feel better about avoiding a Journey, just go to one of their forums and see how many people are dissatisfied with theirs. There's a reason they are/were the lowest costing CUV in base form including the lack of many standard items and lower build quality. Most people were buying upscale level ones with the thirsty and long in the tooth 3.5L V6.