The 17th best-selling vehicle in America this year, and third in the GM arsenal behind only Chevrolet Silverado (3rd) and GMC Sierra (12th), the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a favorite for its smooth ride, solid handling and user-friendly infotainment system. It remains a top-seller even though it carries over from 2020 with no significant changes and receives a freshening for the 2022 model-year.

Launched as a mid-size crossover SUV in 2004 for model-year 2005 along with its twin, the Pontiac Torrent, the third-gen Equinox is now a compact sports-ute that was last redesigned in 2018. The Torrent is long gone, but the Equinox marches on. A refreshed model for the 2022 model year gets a new front grille, which extends into the redesigned headlamps, along with a restyled lower fascia with different foglamps. The rear also sees small changes in the way of redesigned taillamps and a different bumper. 

But for 2021, Equinox deletes  its powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine option, adds an available leather package on the LT trim and included Jet Black perforated leather-appointed seating  surfaces, memory settings, inside rearview mirror and outside heated power-adjustable and auto-dimming mirrors.

The top-seller of seven Chevy SUV/Crossovers, Equinox is offered in L, LS, LT and Premier models, a Midnight Edition and Sports Edition  are available on Lt and a Redline Edition is offered on Premier trim.

The 2021 Equinox plays on its only remaining-offered power source, a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo DOHC DI that is rated at 170hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, and was EPA-rated at 25mpg in the city for AWD, and 29/highway for FWD and 30mpg/highway for AWD. My week of mixed-use driving averaged 26.7mpg in an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

The turbo was attentive with minimal lag in acceleration on the highway and in track tests, where I completed a zero-to-60mph dash in 6.6 seconds during a 15.-second-flat hand-timed quarter-mile. Handling is average for the class. During quick and slick maneuvers, the Equinox electric power rack-and-pinion steering was a bit slow to react, but true when given a moment. Interior sightlines are neck-craning but the ride is soft and passenger-friendly, though road feel suffers a bit for the driver. The independent MacPherson strut front suspension with specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar and its independent four-link rear smoothed all but the most extreme pavement irregularities, and Equinox’s switchable All-Wheel Drive – available on most trims -- enhances traction and control on slippery or snow-covered roads. Conveniently, you can leave switchable AWD on year-round, since the rear wheels only engage when the system senses reduced traction. In FWD mode, AWD components completely disengage for greater fuel efficiency.

Equinox may refreshen its front next year, but the current architecture is expressive, bold and sculptured. A mass-efficient body structure is at the center of the Equinox’s lean curb weight and helps make the most of its available turbo engine options. The rounded and clean Equinox architecture measures 183.1 inches long, 72.6 inches wide and 65.4 inches high on a 107.3 -inch wheelbase, for an 8.0-inch ground clearance with 19-inch wheels. The 2.0-liter Turbo AWD crossover I tested in the Premier trim had a curbweight of 3665 lbs.

Packed with amenities inside and out, standard exterior highlights include projector-beam headlamps and LED daytime running lamps, LED taillamps on uplevel models, a hands-free power liftgate, outside heated power-adjustable and auto-dimming body-color manual-folding mirrors with turn signal indicators and chrome mirror caps, 19-inch ultra-bright aluminum wheels and a chromed dual-outlet exhaust.

 

The Equinox cabin is accommodating, and filled with entertainment and function. With seating for five, the interior provides 40 inches of front headroom and 38.5 inches in row two; legroom is 40.9 inches in the row one and 39.9 row two, while shoulder room is 57.2 and 55.5.

Inside, the cabin has a “kneeling” rear seat that features tilting bottom cushions that enable a flat load floor for easier loading. Connectivity technologies include 7- and 8-inch-diagonal MyLink® infotainment systems designed to support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as OnStar 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Teen Driver allows parents to set controls and review their teen’s driving habits and available Surround Vision offers a 360-degree bird’s eye view of the vehicle. Also inside are dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview auto-dimming mirror and standard active noise cancellation. In addition, my test Equinox Premium came with heated leather seats with driver memory, a heated steering wheel and wireless charging.

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is offered in FWD, AWD and four trims. Equinox pricing starts at $24,995 for the base L-trim model; the LS bases at $27,595; the LT trim starts at $28,795 and the Premier starts at $32,695, all in FWD. My test Premier upgraded to AWD at $34,295.

My Equinox Premier added Cajun Red Tintcoat exterior paint for $495 and was mated to a Jet Black, perforated leather interior. The Infotainment II Package (Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium System, Navigation and 8-inch diagonal touch screen, as well as a Bose® premium 7-speaker system, added $1125. Also added, for $1650, was the Confidence and Convenience II Package: Safety Alert Seat, HD Surround Vision, Adaptive Cruise Control – Camera, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam® headlamps, heated steering wheel, 8-way power front passenger seat with power lumbar, Ventilated driver and front passenger seats and Heated rear outboard seats. With Destination Freight charges of $1195, my test 2021 Chevrolet Equinox Premium stickered at $37,565, but cash allowances and regional incentives cut my test ride by $2500, to a net price of $35,065,, so check with your local dealer.

You can expect to see three generations of Equinox and all-things GM, stretching more than 100 years, from antique to classic to present and future at the 2022 Carlisle GM Nationals, June 24-25 at the Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The chance to enjoy a car themed weekend at Carlisle has been on the motoring radar of car lovers around the world since 1974. For nearly 50 years, access to some of the biggest events of their type in the world has been offered at a discounted price, all while expanding and growing to be destination events for car crazy enthusiasts of all ages. As Carlisle Events’ record-setting 2021 car show season concludes and all new showcases for 2022 begin to appear around every corner, Carlisle Events is pleased to offer its fans and followers an even deeper discounted opportunity by way of its annual Holiday Sale.  The sale is a great way to enjoy a weekend with more horsepower in America’s automotive hometown. Carlisle, Pennsylvania…at a discounted price! 

Holiday Sale 2021/22 commences on Black Friday, November 26 and doubles up on the savings for showing a car (20%), while offering unmatched discounts on ways to experience events as a spectator.  Anyone planning to show and save can be part of any or all events at a 20% discount. It doesn't matter which event, if showing a car/truck is your way in, you'll save 20%.

But wait...there's more. Continuing the savings theme, spectator admission tickets for single day or multi-day event access are also offered at a 20% discount.  Why pay full price for something you enjoy when a cheaper option for the same fun is available to you?

Online sales for all discount options commence on Black Friday, with phone and in person orders starting November 29 at 8 a.m. The discounted gift of a Carlisle car show continues through 5 p.m. on January 3, 2022. Phone and in person ordering options run through December 22, with only online orders available thereafter (Carlisle offices closed for the holidays).

Call 717-243-7855 today to learn more or visit www.CarlisleEvents.com starting November 26 to accelerate your purchase!  The annual Carlisle Events holiday sale...capitalize on the savings and give the gift of Carlisle this holiday season.

Carlisle Auctions and Lakeland Florida have gone hand in hand for nearly 10 years and for two days, November 11-12, 2021, the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus once again came to life with the sights and sounds of classic and collector cars.  In addition to the cars, the people enjoyed the excitement of the Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction.  In fact, more than 50% of the 400 or so lots sold, tallying just over $3 million in sales.  This final auction of the year caps a stellar season for Carlisle Auctions, who amassed around $19 million in total sales spanning four events and on average, sold about 65% of all lots.

Decades of classic and collector cars were represented in and around the auction arena for days leading up to the auction, with a preview day taking place on November 10.  Once the fun started, it went until sun down each day and included an all-truck hour on November 11 AND a special charity sale of a World War II era Jeep where proceeds benefitted the Rescue 22 Foundation.  Trucks are just as popular in Florida as they are in Pennsylvania and with the holiday season right around the corner, bidders were in the giving mood, helping net over $30,000 for the Jeep and Rescue 22.

Speaking of top sellers, the top 3, plus the Jeep sale for Rescue 22 tallied over $210,000.  The top 3 are as follows:

1. 1965 Ford Mustang Restomod - $64,900
2. 1972 Chevy Chevelle - $61,525
3. 1961 Cadillac Series 62 - $56,710

Along with this trio of top dollar cars, there are many that are STILL FOR SALE.  Still for sale lots span decades as well and with the help of the Carlisle Auctions expert team, are available to you post-sale.  Visit CarlisleAuctions.com to view auction results, still for sale vehicles, and call Carlisle Auctions at 717-960-6400 to make a deal.

"On behalf of the entire Carlisle Auctions team, thank you to everyone that helped to make our Lakeland Fall Collector Car Auction a roaring success,” noted Director of Auction Operations Tony Cline.  “The market remains strong and we look forward to carrying this momentum into 2022 with you as part of our Lakeland Winter Collector Car Auction, February 25-26,” continued Cline.  “We are currently accepting consignments for that event."

As Cline mentioned Carlisle Auctions returns to the SUN n’ FUN Expo Campus, February 25-26, 2022.  Consignments are actively being processed as are requests for bidder registration.  Official results from the Lakeland Fall Collector Car auction, forms, flyers, and more are available online at CarlisleAuctions.com or by calling 717-960-6400.

Ford’s top-selling non-F150 is the Explorer, 15th-best selling 2021 vehicle sold this year and 7th top-selling SUV on the market and sits as America’s all-time best-selling SUV.

Explorer was all-new in 2020, after a nine-year run with its fifth generation, redesigning the sixth-gen as a lighter, longer and more powerful vehicle.

The vehicle that is credited with mainstreaming sports utility vehicles, Explorer began as a trim package offered on Ford F-Series trucks from 1968 to 1986. It became its own model line and replaced the Bronco II in 1991 and the mid-size remained the best-selling SUV for two decades and four generations. The 2021 Explorer continues the adventure with new style, power, performance, safety and capabilities, while retaining Explorer ruggedness, toughness and a pampering environment.

Now, for 2022, Explorer will add a new ST-Line trim with a turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain, and it will be available in rear-wheel drive. High-end King Ranch and Platinum models will increase horsepower to 400hp, and can be equipped with either a second-row bench seat or a pair of captain's chairs.

For 2021, Explorer upgraded from the 2020 redesign with reduced prices on all trims with lower-priced, RWD Enthusiast ST trim added to lineup;  King Ranch and Timberline trims added to line-up; uptweaked interiors for Limited, ST, and Platinum trims with power-adjustable front passenger seat; increased wheel choice ranging from 18 to 21 inches; standard heated front seats and optional Sport Appearance package on the XLT trim; enhanced performance packs; and a hybrid now offered for the Platinum trim with RWD powertrain. New exterior colors include Carbonized Gray, Infinite Blue Metallic Tinted Clearcoat and Stone Gray.

Built in North America at Chicago Assembly Plant, Explorer’s look changes subtly with each trim level, and remains Explorer confident, with a rear-wheel-drive architecture, athletic roundness and increased aerodynamics. Explorer measures 198.8 inches long (the ST trim is 199.3 inches long), 89.3 inches wide (including mirrors), and 70.2 inches high on a huge 119.1-inch wheelbase. Minimum ground clearance is 8.2 inches, and curbweight for the 4WD Platinum version is 4727 lbs. -- the base trim is 382 lbs. lighter.

My test Explorer Platinum exterior was enhanced by body-color door handles with satin aluminum insert, a body-color liftgate spoiler, Satin Aluminum Lower bodyside cladding accent, Quad Chrome Exhaust Tips, a unique grille with satin-aluminum finish, a Hands-Free, Foot-Activated Liftgate, LED Signature Lighting, power folding mirrors with autofold and heated glass, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Rear Bumper Step ,Acoustic-laminate window glass in front and Privacy Glass in the Second and Third Rows.

The 2021 Explorer offers three engine choices (with four set-ups): The 2.3-liter EcoBoost inline-4 produces 300hp and 310 lbs-ft of torque (same as last year); the 3.3-liter hybrid is good for a combined horsepower of 318 and torque of 322 lb-ft; and the new 3.0-liter EcoBoost V-6 that powered my test ride, provided 365 hp and 380 lbs-ft of torque, while another version of the 3.0 stampedes 400 horses and 415 lb-ft for the ST.

The hybrid is EPA rated at 27mpg/city and 29/highway; the 2.3 gets 21/city and 28/highway and the 3.0 version gets 18 and 24. My test Explorer Platinum 3.0 averaged 20.0mpg on the highway, around town and on soft-road excursions.

The 400hp ST can complete a zero-to-60mph sprint in 5.2 and beat 14 seconds in the quarter-mile, but my 365-horse Platinum accelerated well and finished off the sprint in 6.1 seconds (hand-timed) during a 14.6 quarter-mile.

Inside, the Explorer is spacious, well-appointed, tech-savvy, luxurious, functional and comfortable with good sightlines. With seating for six or seven, front headroom is 40.7 inches with 40.5 inches in row two (and 38.9 when there is a third row); legroom is 43.0 inches up front and 39.0 in the second seats (and a tight 32.0 inches in a third row), and shoulder room is 61.8 (row one), 61.9 (row two) and 54.6 (row three).

Explore had been awarded a 5-star safety rating and features dual-stage front airbag, front-passenger knee airbag; Safety Canopy® System; SOS Post-Crash Alert System™; Traction control; AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ and Curve Control; Anti-Lock Brake System; battery saver with headlamps-off delay; four-wheel disc with Illuminated Entry System; rearview camera; SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System; perimeter alarm; and individual tire pressure monitoring system (excludes spare).

The 2021 Explorer drops in price from the 2020s by from $540 to more than $5000 depending on trim level. The base Explorer is priced at $33,470 (RWD) and 4WD adds $2000. The XLT trim raises the RWD price to $35,245 and the Limited trim hybrid goes $44,167. My top-of-the-line 2021 Ford Explorer Platinum started at $55,725, a drop of $3000 from the same crossover I tested last year. It was decked out with Intelligent 4WD, Tri-Diamond Perforated Leather Seating Surfaces with Accent Stitching, Twin Panel Moonroof, Active Park Assist 2.0, Evasive Steering Assist, Remote Start, Heated Steering Wheel, Voice-activated touchscreen navigation and 12.3-inch Digital Cluster. The Premium Technology Package added $1195 for Multicontour front Seats with Active Motion®, a 10.1-inch LCD Capacitive Portrait Touchscreen with Swipe and Pinch-to-Zoom Capability and 14-speaker, 980-watt Bang & Olufsen B&O sound system. Splash Guards added $205 and the sticker added Destination Charges of $1195 and an Acquisition Fee of $645, but regional incentives of $1750 were applied (and may be available, so check with your dealer), making the price-as-tested $57,220.

You can see the 2021 and 2022 Ford Explorer as well as vintage Explorers and more than 3200 Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Euro Fords that span decades, including just about everything Ford has offered since 1903, at the 2022 Carlisle Ford Nationals, June 3-5, 2022 at the Carlisle(PA) Fairgrounds.

Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. 

The Nissan Z debuted in 1969 and has been Datsun/Nissan’s super car for seven generations. The Nissan 370Z is about to be replaced by the 2023 Nissan Z. Developed to represent an approachable sports car for the modern age, Nissan execs say "Z is the pure expression of thrill. It is Nissan's passion wrapped up on four wheels.” The all-new, 2023 Z, which drops its numerical prefix in the U.S. for the first time, is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in spring 2022.

However, as the 370Z is still out there, Nissan already has a super car, a high-performance street beast that has been an excitement provider since 2007, the Nissan GT-R.

Happy with what they have, the 2021 GT-R adds only one new exterior color, Bayside Blue, an homage to a 1990s color that was not offered in America, and a higher-performance GT-R NISMO model was added to the lineup. Last year’s 50^th Anniversary Edition has been shelved for a limited-edition T-Spec trim with wider fenders, gold-painted wheels, a carbon-fiber rear spoiler, and either Millennium Jade or Midnight Purple paint.

I tested the Premium trim GT-R that just about matches the NISMO’s 600 horsepower with 565 horses of its own.

With performance bred on the racetracks, GT-R boasts of a 3.8-liter V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine – each handcrafted by its own takumi (“artisan”) technician and supercharged for max output. In addition, the exhaust manifolds, inspired by racing technology, feature optimized turbo flange attachment points, which allow for easier servicing and potential tuning, without touching the exhaust manifold. The engine is rated at 565 horsepower with torque rated at 467 lb-ft.

The 2021 GT-R also features a standard titanium exhaust system, which better manages the high temperatures of the exhaust gases from the engine (versus non-titanium). The system includes a duct on the vehicle's undertray just forward of the muffler, which guides air into the rear diffuser section to help cool the muffler and evacuate hot air.

The base engine is the longitudinal electronic fuel-injected V-6 VR38DETT that is rated at 16/22/18. I averaged about 16.6 mpg, but I wasn’t driving it for fuel economy. I pedal-mashed and drove it for fun and for performance.

Some reports have the 2021 Nissan GT-R Premium blazing the zero-60mph sprint in 2.9 seconds (and the 600-hp NISMO version in 2.5) with an 11.2-second quarter-mile. My test drive was not done in ideal conditions and my vehicle was not light nor was it specially tuned for the tests, so I never got under 3-seconds, and my quarter-mile was closer to 11.5, but fast is fast, and this beast was fast. Acceleration is without a beat, though the shift points were not completely on target.

Vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion, aluminum steering rack, four-point mounting, with stiff insulators was auto-cross responsive, and the independent double wishbone aluminum, integral tube-frame structure front suspension and Independent and multi-link aluminum rear soften any road irregularities and maintain a balance between driver’s road feel and passenger comfort.

With seating for four, the front is roomy -- the rear, not so much. Head room measures 38.1 inches in front and a duck-your-head 33.5 in the rear seats. Legroom is an ample 44.6 inches in front and pull-your-knees-up 26.4 inches in the back. Shoulder room is 54.3 and 50.0. The Premium cabin’s front bucket seats are a leather/synthetic suede combination, with 8-way power heated driver’s seat and heated 4-way front passenger seat.

Infotainment includes a Bose® audio system with 11 speakers (9 speakers with 2 subwoofers in rear center armrest area) with AM/FM/CD, MP3/WMA playback and Bose active noise cancellation. Included is NissanConnect® with 8.0-inch color display with multi-touch control and voice recognition for Nissan navigation and audio, HD Radio, SiriusXM ® Travel Link and Bluetooth hands-free phone system all with steering wheel audio controls.

Safety is attended to with an advanced air bag system of driver and front passenger air bags with dual-stage inflation, seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor. On board are driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front seat occupant head protection. Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column, hood buckling creases, knee bolsters, and high-strength side door guard beams were engineered for safety and support when needed.

The 2021 Nissan GT-R starts at $113,549 for the GT-R premium and $210,740 for the NISMO version. In Solid Red with a Black interior, Premium carbon-fiber all weather floor mats were added for $1085, and that was it. With $1795 included for shipping and handling, my 2021 test Nissan GT-R was priced at $116,420.

You can expect to see Zs and GTs, classic imports of luxury and racing lore and the newest a glitziest in an international vehicle wonderland showcasing more than 2300 unique and impressive imported vehicles from around the world at the 2022 Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals, May 13-14, 2022 Carlisle (PA) Fairgrounds.

Also on display will be domestics, kit cars, motorcycles, trucks and high-end performance vehicles. See the top builds, restorations, clubs and brands representing the world of automobiles and performance. Get your high-octane adrenaline fix on with autocross, drifting, rolling exhaust competition, and more at the 2022 Carlisle Import and Performance Nationals.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>