First Place - 2005 Chevrolet Equinox AWD LT Interior, Price - Compact SUVs Comparison - Truck Trend

2005 Chevrolet Equinox AWD LT cont...

For instance, the simple thin molding surrounding the speedometer and tach (a detail you'll look at often) is thoughtfully shaped; black, soft-touch rotary knobs punctuate the silver-treatment center stack. Surrounding the shifter is a convenient nonslip tray, an ideal perch for a cell-phone.

Actually, this tray resides where the shift position indicator normally is, requiring its relocation to the bottom of the center stack, where it illuminates from left to right as you shift the transmission out of park.

A demerit for the Equinox--but really one for all our competitors--is the downsized dimensions of the driver and front-passenger seats. Actually, there's an interesting visual sleight-of-hand happening here: When you first glance at the seats, which are in correct proportion with the rest of the interior, they look full-size. But look again: They're actually about 7/8th scale. After settling into the driver's seat, your left leg (which is usually idle) easily spills off the bottom cushion's side (exacerbated in the Equinox by its particularly soft foam). Another oddity is the massiveness of the Equinox's horse-blinder A-pillars, wider even than the Saturn's.

Punching in at a base price of $24,900 (including a multiplicity of common standard features) and with such options as OnStar ($820), leather seats ($545), and XM Satellite Radio ($335), the Equinox represents a major upshift for Chevrolet's entry-SUV model--and an impressive feat of smart packaging and tasteful design at a sensible price. Food particle and all.