Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive writer dedicated to real world independent car reviews. A New York Times contributor, Tom shoots, writes and edits these videos. Watch them on the big screen, they're cinematic.
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Aside from the whole issue with not enough Genesis dealers/centers to deal with their supposed "luxury" badge and pricing - they'll never be on the level of a Lexus because they are horrendous on gas consumption. I know it's a heavy SUV, but they really sacrificed too much when it comes to that...city driving is abysmal with a V6 and in the long run, not really worth it considering how high gas prices are and will likely remain.
AWESOME!
"I'll miss Apple Maps ..." Said nobody, ever.
The numbers just don’t work for volume sales. So without volume, why are we doing this?
Don't use Android Auto that is 👎💩, refuse to own Apple 💩.... Have no issues in my 2019 Equinox infotainment, Navigation is superior to any app. Can't wait to get bigger screen in Chevy EV. People have to adapt and get with the technology, learn new things.
I have the AT4 and I love it. $10,000 cheaper at $50k, slightly better MPG, you get the tailgate steps, 2in lift as opposed to 3in, and a brown interior trim instead of white which seems to make more sense to me in an off road vehicle that will definitely get dirty. I got it in desert sand metallic and it’s beautiful.
The pricing at Subaru is a bit crazy. Once you get the 2.5 engine / Sport on a CrossTrek, you are at or above the Forester or Outback. Taking note of what comes on the Premium Outback, leather steering wheel, and other bits on the car, and all the other items included, should you do the same on a CrossTrek Sport or Premium, you are so close to above the two large cars, it is amazing. I will say, a shorter and tad sportier cars might be a little more fun, though a longer wheelbase is normally best on the freeway. Maybe a little saving on gas, but there too, once you go up to 2.5 engine, the real world gas mileage is less than the 2.0. On the freeway, is the Outback not close to the Sport Crosstrek? Around town, it might do much better. Maybe it is between lux feel and safety, compared to sporty and easy to zip around in town in. Or the looks -- both have their point in looks. Just different. The interior, I give to Outback. The exterior on Outback, aside of the Tupperwear look on the front / side, is sleek. The CrossTrek overall more sporty. But the pricing. I am so old, I recall smaller to larger cars having a very wide pricing between compact, middle size and bigger boats.
Very informative and helpful review. I always have enjoyed and appreciated Tom's reviews: practical, fun, and excellent at zeroing in on the most important details about cars. Have been thinking about getting a Crosstrek for my wife for a few years (got a Subaru CPO Crosstrek Limited for my daughter a year ago). Had not seriously considered the Sport model, but based on this review, I plan to consider it in my search for a Crosstrek for my wife now. Thanks!
Still don’t think you have a job. You have fun and get paid. Wonder how well the Mach E Rally does on the Nürburgring ?
Great review. Very informative. Nice mix of the quantitative and qualitative information.
Not big enough. Need a Navigator L for all our stuff. But I heard the adaptive suspension with camera preview on these is sweet.
suvs are dull and boring and this thing is just another ugly look alike box for hauling crap...i dont haul crap, and i wouldnt pay $35k for that plastic exterior, plastic inside, available in 2 colors...dull, dull, dull...ill keep my CTS coupe
This would be great value in the used market after the depreciation hits. Best to wait for it there.
Why so many "hey Google"s in this video?
Normalcy. You mean compared to the Cadillac version with all the odd styling details and weirdness? That's what I was thinking. I think a lot of customers want something more normal looking. Some will also like the fact that the roof is not all glass with no cover like the Model Y. The top trim should offer real leather, that's something Tesla can't do.
While you mentioned that GM as well as others may have use of the Tesla Surpercharging network, a note of caution should be warranted. There is no time frame for GM to access it.. Tesla fired its entire crew that was to work with and coordinated with GMs people in order to integrate the two systems and provide proper protocols their cars to work seamlessly, thus causing delays in use for GM vehicles as well as others that talked about adopting NACS..
"World's Most Competent Fast Charging Team... YOU'RE FIRED...!!!" (best Elon/deranged Trump/The Apprentice voice)
I wonder what information is available on what their policy is concerning usage of your private/personal data/information?
AM / FM?
Yes
phev?
No
Adopters?
The pedestrian warning sound is from NASA and is the sound the Sun makes on radio telescopes
Right. But I still wish it could be turned off.
Got my all wheel Sport 3 yesterday. I have a lot of cars including exotics. This car is as serious as any of them. My 2017 Volt is still one of my favourite cars of all time, beaten only by a 1929 Lemans Bentley I used to have. I think the Volt may need to move over.
I see a fair amount of interest in eSprinter van conversions but so far I don't know of anyone who has tried it. I think the range reduction due to the extra weight of the camper conversion is a major reason why. I've driven my EV from California to Brazil and along the way I learned to maximize range, generally getting 25% more than the rated range. I'd like to try my hand at this in an eSprinter that has been loaded with with extra weight as.some reviewers have done. If I can get acceptable range with a loaded eSprinter it might encourage people to go ahead and build out eSprinters as campers. Tom did you test drive a weighted vehicle? If so, who can I contact at Mercedes who can set me up with a weighted van for a test drive.
Are there variants of Super Cruise, e.g. with and without auto lane change? If so, which variant does the Equinox have?
Nearly 100% certain Equinox EV has auto lane change. Bolt EUV had a more stripped down version.
Will a gas powered Silverado be on sale in two years I’d say yes,will this Equinox EV well that’s a good question
Sorry guys. I would never consider a luxury SUV weighing that much running a 4 cylinder engine with a pluggable battery. I could never trust an engine stressed that much lasting over 3-4 years. A Lincoln Aviator suv pluggable has a V6 with 500 HP and 600 lbs of torque! I have one and get 27 MPG at 80 mph on the open road. The battery only lasts 23 miles but it works fine for my daily driving. Best of all I like going 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds!
ATTENTION- My apologies for leaving the audio "Hey Google" in at 10:02. It's normally something I mute. Also, I state that Apple Maps, iMessage and Apple Music are not native to the Ultifi interface. Actually, Apple Music is available in the Google Play store so AM is native to the interface.
Always appreciate your reviews and commentary. Bought my Mercedes GLC300 back in 2016 because of your comments in the NYT. Now you've convinced me the plug in Prius makes a lot of sense (plus I recently moved to a new place with an existing Tesla charger). Gonna use your pricing service. Hope that helps you out.
Let me know how it goes. Always looking for feedback.
I wouldn't call that a "compact" SUV. More of a midsized. Huge range penalty for going AWD compared to a Model Y
I agree. But it's classified as a compact.
If one lives in an area with cheap electricity, a car like this makes a lot of sense. For example, we live in the Pacific Northwest. It cost us about five dollars to charge our Nissan leaf in our garage and go 200 miles. It cost us about $35 to go to the same distance in our Subaru outback on gasoline.
The PNW is one of the best places on earth to own an EV. Low electric rates, high gas prices. I have to balance for the rest of the country. Even where electricity is more expensive and gas prices are moderate, EVs still come out ahead in fuel costs. When battery prices drop even further, it will be great for consumers.
Can you PLEASE edit your audio to silence or bleep the "Hey Google" moments? It's super annoying to have all my devices start answering every time. This earned you an unsubscribe from me.
Normally do. Apologies for the oversight.
It looks so bland.....
I think that is the point
Anyone understand what 8 years of connectivity really means. Will you have full use of the system. I'm also reading there is 6 months of wifi. Will the system work without that? Will you need to use your phone as a hotspot? Will that work as well as mirroring your phone with CarPlay? I went to the Chevy website and tried to get information about this but wasn't able. This is something I'd want very well spelled out before I bought the car.
Evidently, you don't understand. GM will collect your private data for resale for eight years before they start charging you for the privelage.
@@jimjones-pz1tt Just like your phone already does. Just like every automaker already does.
@@DrivenCarReviews So you're not gonna drink the Koolaid?
I decided to buy the 2.0 naturally aspirated version of this car at the end of the year
Hello there namesake. Very promising car this one. The quietness "speaks" to me as does the normal approach. The wheel tyre combo got my attention. Hefty tyres on this car make the driving smooth and forgiving in bad road conditions. Therefore I double checked the size at 12:23 and they are 19" which is a lot better than the 21" you mentioned. Love your work. Big production quality and unique style. Always watch till the end. That's all....... I'm Tom Crapper.
Thanks for all of your videos, Tom. Do you know if Rivian has improved the performance of camp mode? Three different KZread reviewers of the R1S report that camp mode malfunctions halfway through the night and they are left with no heat or AC. Two of the three reviews dropped within just the last month. Camp mode is one of the most compelling features of the Rivian but it looks like they haven't gotten it to work reliably just yet. Would love any more info on this if you have it or can get it from Rivian. Thanks again!
Sorry, I am unfamiliar with that. And to be honest, it probably wouldn't be something I would test since I have a perfectly comfy bed.
Nice review. My last GM car was a 1985 Buick Park Avenue. It was always in the shop. I like the Equinox EV car but worry about its reliability. FYI all my cars following the 1985 Buick were either Hondas or Toyotas.
1985. Just saying...
Thanks for triggering my Googles! 😕
Nice looking car but no CarPlay? Designed specifically to annoy coastal elites 🤣 I wonder what Apple is charging for it - must be a lot.
If it were an ICE vehicle, no one would complain much about the horsepower and 0-60 time. As Tom said. It's very "normal". With all the torque being available from 0 rpm it will feel stronger than the numbers suggest. Giving up a little zip in exchange for the added range is not such a bad trade-off.
Exactly
Great video Tom.
So at the 8 year point, compare true cost to own vs a hybrid RAV4 and CRV
If you charge 90% at home you’ll probably save about 10k in gas savings
About $5,000 in fuel savings compared to Equinox EV AWD. No oil changes for the Chevy. Around $1,500 in data plan savings assuming Toyota charges $25mo after 3 years.
The thing that aggravates me the most about GM dumping Android Auto/Apple car play is that it has a role even if you do have a good on board system. Hyundai has a very good one in the Ioniq 5. It still doesn't necessarily find every address, and Android Auto has been a good back up for such instances. Not only that, but on long trips, if we decide we want to make a quick detour, having that as a secondary system allows us to quick route said detour without messing up the core trip plan programmed into the car. I get further annoyed by GM lying about the reason for removing the platforms. They've claimed safety, and then claimed licensing. Both are total B.S. This is about recouping lost money from the inevitable reduction of maintenance services and the parts that go with it. The reality is that when I cross shop the competition, the automakers that have android auto/apple car play will notch higher on the list, no matter how good the on board system is.
Whatever is claimed, the real reason for removing third party software is data rights. GM (and others) can't use or sell data that is collected by Google or Apple.
Right. But Ultifi uses native Google Maps and it should find 99.9% of what's needed. My wife the copilot loves having both Apple and Google up, watching Google on her phone while the car screen is on Apple Maps. Lately Apple has been wining TBH.
@@1guyin10 I think GM has been above board on that. Other automakers are frustrated as well. At least that's what I hear at events with engineers.
I enjoy the tone of your review. Not an "everything is great" GM fanboy, but seemingly a fair appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses in a brief review. Well done!
Great use a young girl to show how to use the interface 🤷♂️
It’s not about interface abeing easy, it’s about the fact I a, not going to learn a new interface. No chance I am buying a GM electric.
Again your guest keeps you real. As you pander to GM by saying it has good sight lines, your guest corrected you. Quit being so positive about vehicles you review Jesus.
Different people have different opinions. Maybe John's opinion is wrong?
Your guest is much more real about charging anxiety. Maybe you can learn something from him.
Good entry that will sell to Chevy customers. Still, lack of CarPlay makes it a no go for me. Hopefully the lower trims can sell for closer to $30,000. No one will buy this close to $45,000 over a Tesla model Y.