Chevrolet Equinox Sport
3.6-liter High Feature V6 with dual cam and VVT. 264 hp, 6T70 six-speed automatic. Much more modern than the LNJ but shares the timing chain problems of the early GM 3.6 family. Tight and strong when oil change intervals are respected.
The V6 Sport nobody asked for
264 hp, 6-speed auto, and nobody buying a Chevy SUV in 2008 was asking for the Sport model. Mechanically more solid than the LNJ, but the GMT191 chassis was never built for power. A strange footnote in the Equinox story.
Vehicle Weaknesses 4
The Aisin AF33 5-speed in 2005–2006 suffers case wear at the output gear mount, loss of cooler pressure, and complete failures. Often requires rebuild.
In US rust belt states, Gen 1 Equinox develops significant rust on the front underbody and subframe mounts, sometimes with rust-through holes.
Blend door actuators on Gen 1 commonly fail. Heater blows cold or A/C only blows warm, with clicking sounds from the dash.
Front lower control arm bushings on Gen 1 wear early. Clunking and rattling over road imperfections.