Holden Australia has rationalised its Equinox range for MY20, with the mid-size SUV now available in four flavours, instead of the previous 11.
While a Black Edition variant has been added, the entry-level LS and LS+ grades have been removed alongside the 100kW/320Nm 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine and the LTZ version’s all-wheel-drive option.
As a result, the Mazda CX-5-rivalling Equinox’s starting price has increased from $27,990 to $31,990 (plus on-road costs).
The LT serves as the entry point to the SUV’s line-up, with it now using a 127kW/275Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that exclusively send drives to the front wheels via a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. This combination is also used by the $34,990 Black Edition.
Conversely, the $39,990 LTZ and $44,990 LTZ-V are now only offered with a 188kW/353Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, which is mated to a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. The former comes with front-wheel drive, while the latter upgrades to an AWD system.
Standard equipment in the LT includes 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing headlights, LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, a 7.0-inch touchscreen MyLink multimedia system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, high-beam assist, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors.
The Black Edition picks up black 19-inch alloy wheels, a black grille insert, dark-finish front foglight surrounds, black side-mirror caps, chrome roof rails, rear privacy glass, a dual-panel panoramic sunroof and front and rear floormats.
Over the LT, the unchanged LTZ adds LED headlights and tail-lights, 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome roof rails, a hands-free power-operated tailgate, an 8.0-inch touchscreen MyLink multimedia system, satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio, a Bose sound system, wireless smartphone charging, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and memory functionality, front and rear heated seats, dual-zone climate control, LED ambient lighting, leather-appointed upholstery and park assist.
Assuming flagship responsibilities, the LTZ-V steps up with a dual-panel panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable front passenger seat with lumbar support, cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel – and despite being $1300 more affordable than before, it has ushered in surround-view cameras for MY20.
Seven paintwork options are available, including two free (Summit White and Glory Red) and five extra-cost (Abalone White, Tuxedo Black, Nitrate Silver, Son of a Gun Grey and Dark Moon Blue).
As reported, a facelifted version of the Equinox has been revealed, with it expected to enter Holden showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year.
2020 Holden Equinox pricing before on-road costs
| Variant | Transmission | Cost |
| LT | automatic | $31,990 |
| Black Edition | automatic | $34,990 |
| LTZ | automatic | $39,990 |
| LTZ-V | automatic | $44,990 |
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