Chevrolet is keeping the gravy train that is its special edition line of vehicles rolling with new versions of the 2017 Equinox and Traverse SUVs.
The automaker says its special edition trucks sell up to three times faster than its regular pickups so it makes sense for it to make similar versions of the Equinox and Traverse. Lately, those two have been doing well themselves. In July, Equinox sales were up 8 percent compared to July 2015; the Traverse’s numbers were up 24 percent. Chevrolet said, “Retail crossover sales were up 20 percent in July for the best July ever.”
The 2017 Equinox Midnight Edition, offered in Mosaic Black Metallic, and the Equinox Sport Edition, available in Summit White, come in LT trim. They’re both equipped with the available Convenience Package and dressed up with features such as a black grille and bowties, black 18-inch wheels and mirror caps, and Jet-black leather seats.
Chevy gives the 2017 Traverse Graphite Edition 2LT content as well as 20-inch Dark Charcoal wheels, dual exhausts, black bowties, and an Integrated Assist Step. It’s available in Mosaic Black Metallic, Tungsten Metallic, Siren Red Tintcoat, and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat.
If you just have to have one of these special edition Chevys in your driveway, you don’t have to wait long. In fact, you don’t have to wait at all. The 2017 Equinox and Traverse special edition models are on sale now.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
