By Tim Healey
Managing Editor, The Truth About Cars
And why not? With compact
and mid-size crossovers becoming
ever-more car-like while seeing
continuous gains in fuel economy,
it makes sense. These “cute utes”
offer up a blend of practicality and
performance that won’t punish at
the pump, and those in the compact
and midsize classes are easy to park even in the Loop.
With that in mind, here’s a look at six of the stronger
entries on the market today.
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alfa Romeo continues its return to the North
American market with the Stelvio, a luxury compact
crossover that offers a high-performance Quadrifolgio
trim.
The Stelvio isn’t just about luxury and Italian flair
– it also offers power. Base and Ti models have a
280-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
engine while
the high-
performance
Quadrifolgio has
a 2.9-liter twin-
turbocharged V6
that makes 505
horsepower.
All-wheel-
drive is
standard, and
key available
features include push-button start, dual exhaust,
heated front seats, wood trim, colored brake calipers,
and infotainment system.
2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Unveiled right here in Chicago, the 2018 Chevrolet
Equinox is fully redesigned. Chevy trimmed its
weight by about 10 percent while adding new safety
features such as Safety Alert Seat, Low Speed Forward
Automatic Braking and Surround Vision.
It’s offered in four trims – L, LS, LT and Premier. If
Chicago winters worry you, all-wheel drive is available.
You can choose from one of three engines, all of
which are turbocharged. There is a standard 1.5-liter
turbocharged four-cylinder and an optional 2.0-liter
turbocharged four-cylinder to go along with an
available 1.6-liter turbocharged diesel – a rarity for the
class. A nine-speed automatic transmission pairs to the
2.0-liter engine, while the other two mate to six-speed
automatics.
Comfort and convenience features available on the
Equinox include a power liftgate and heated front seats,
heated rear seats and heated steering wheel (perfect
for Chicago winters). Connectivity is also a big part of
the package, thanks to available Apple CarPlay, Android
Auto, and in-car Wi-Fi hotspot.
2018 Ford EcoSport
Ford’s new EcoSport slots below the venerable
Escape in the company’s crossover lineup.
Available in S, SE, SES and Titanium trims, the
EcoSport offers
two engines
– a 1.0-liter
turbocharged
three-cylinder
that makes 123
horsepower
and a 2.0-liter
four-cylinder
that makes 166
horsepower. All
pair with a six-speed automatic transmission.
All-wheel drive is available. If tech is your thing,
the EcoSport offers up connectivity by way of Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Ford’s Sync 3
infotainment system and an 8-inch touchscreen. Sync 3
is available with a LCD capacitive touch screen and two
USB ports.
The EcoSport is also available with navigation, fog
lamps and a power moonroof.
M
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CHICAGO AUTO SHOW 2018
20
LIKE THEM OR NOT,
CROSSOVERS REMAIN HOT.
