2016 CHEVY EQUINOX REVIEWS EDMUND DRIVER
2016 CHEVY EQUINOX REVIEWS EDMUND FULL

A smartphone that has SmartRadio, Gracenote or Pandora can stream music through the car's Pioneer stereo and speakers. While the kids were watching movies, playing online games and checking in on Facebook in the back, my shotgun-riding wife was finishing some undone office work.Īs good as the system is, you really see its worth through the infotainment system's integrated apps. The car's hotspot can serve up to seven connected clients at a time, and my family ably used most of that. Wi-Fi range extended to about 225 feet, which should be more than enough for a family reunion to a soccer tournament. Mobile connections worked just as well with the vehicle was cruising the interstate at 70 miles per hour as when parked next to a picnic table.

2016 CHEVY EQUINOX REVIEWS EDMUND FULL

That's about half of the bandwidth supplied by Verizon's JetPack mobile hotspot, but still more than enough to supply a car full of electronics. It had an average throughput of 7.6 and 5.5Mbps over a one-week period in more than 12 locations. Over a variety of roads, times and locations in the Northeast, the Equinox's hotspot delivered a peak throughput of 23.15 and 18.10Mbps for downloads and uploads. To connect a phone, tablet or notebook, open its list of available Wi-Fi networks on its screen, enter the passcode. You can easily change any of the details in a tap or two of the car's touch screen, which doubles as its GPS navigation display. The information is then shown on the screen. For instance, if you want your passengers to see the network's name or passcode, just activate the microphone and say “Wi-Fi Settings'. Configuration and adjustments are made via the rear-view mirror's built-in microphone and the vehicle's 7-inch MyLink infotainment screen at the center of the dashboard.

2016 CHEVY EQUINOX REVIEWS EDMUND DRIVER

In other words, whenever you're in the car, chances are you'll have data on tap.Īll the connected equipment is invisible to the driver and passenger. as well as most subsidiary roads connect over 4G. The good news all the major highways in the U.S. But in some areas, like much of the plain states and parts of the Southwest, the network moves on slower 3G service. It connection uses AT&T's national mobile data network, which covers both coasts and the mid-section of the country well. It's a mouthful, but it takes a mobile data signal and transforms it into a local Wi-Fi wireless network. The center of attention is GM's OnStar 4G LTE W-Fi Connection. I spent a week driving a connected Equinox and found it remarkably simple to use and extremely well-integrated into the vehicle. Rather than an afterthought, this integration of data into many key components is like a breath of fresh air. General Motors (GM) has 38 other Buicks, Cadillacs and GMC trucks that also have a range of smart features.Īlthough you can likely use your smartphone as a hotspot or add one to your car, the real magic of GM's 4G connection is how well it's incorporated into the whole. But, for the moment, the Equinox is one of a rare few that blends traditional driving with the latest digital connections. Someday, all vehicles will be able to speak with a tablet, relay Pandora music and remotely start or find the car from a phone app.

Take the Equinox small sport utility vehicle, which links to the Web on the road and at $34,460 is an economical ride.

Not only do they come with a plethora electronics, but can get online so everything you bring remains connected. Vehicles have finally entered the realm of the Internet of Things with Chevrolet's line of cars and trucks. Pro: 4G connection, integrated infotainment system, remarkably simple to useĬon: lacks a Web browser, paying for data can tack on extra fees, and you can't add apps

2016 chevy equinox reviews edmund