2011 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2011 Chevrolet Equinox is the best-reviewed small SUV in our latest report update. Classy looks, a roomy, well-styled interior, great ride quality, four-cylinder or V6 power, and available all-wheel-drive create a package that reviewers find very compelling, even though the Equinox offers less cargo space than its key rival, the 2011 Honda CR-V (Base MSRP: $21,895 to $28,095) .

Gains flex-fuel capability for 2011

Following a complete redesign for the 2010 model year, the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox continues essentially unchanged. The biggest news is that the available 3.0-liter V6 is now flex-fuel compatible, meaning drivers with access to E85 ethanol pumps have the option to use the biofuel. Beyond that, the 2011 Equinox just gets some minor equipment tweaks. For a comprehensive analysis of what reviewers and other third-party organizations have to say about Chevy's compact crossover, see our report on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. (Base MSRP: $22,615 to $29,970) .

Efficient four-cylinder or brawnier V6

With its base 2.4-liter four-cylinder, the front-wheel-drive 2011 Chevrolet Equinox is rated at an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined; with AWD and the same engine, it's 20 city/29 highway/23 combined. The base engine, while more efficient, only allows for a 1,500-pound towing capacity. The available 3.0-liter V6 offers up more muscle and can tow up to 3,500 pounds, but it's predictably less efficient: 17 city/25 highway/20 combined with FWD and 17 city/24 highway/20 combined with AWD. On E85 ethanol, the V6's fuel economy ratings plummet. Combined fuel economy when using the biofuel ranges from 14 to 17 mpg combined. Note that some reviewers report difficulty in hitting the EPA fuel economy numbers in their real-life tests.

Great safety scores

Crash ratings are excellent. In independent evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the 2011 Equinox comes away with the maximum score of "Good" in front, rear, and side-impact crash tests. In the IIHS roof-crush strength test, the Equinox also scores a "Good." It's named a 2011 Top Safety Pick. The federal government updated its testing methodology and scoring for 2011 and, in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration tests, the Equinox comes away with a 4-star (out of 5) overall rating. In individual tests, the Equinox gets 4 stars for front impact protection and rollover risk, and the full 5 stars for side impact protection.