AutoCritical

Proportions of vehicles are always changing, both to fit the new regulations to do with things like safety and style. Proportions are also one of the design elements that can really ‘make or break’ the design of a vehicle and how a designer uses this to their advantage is to exaggerate them. The end is usually a result of a sketch with large wheels, and a small DLO.

2010 Chevrolet Equinox - Strong body side, bug-eye front...

From a few key elements, I think the proportions on the Chevrolet Equinox takes on characteristics of a concept sketch, starting with the bulky wheel arches that dwarf the more ‘production’ looking wheels, and the small DLO that is separated with a C-Pillar to the rear glass.

Concept-style wheel arches - smaller more realistic wheels - Unusual 'C-Pillar'

Just because a production car has concept-like features, doesn’t specifically or instantly make it a good looking car, or a successful design for that matter. In the instance of the Equinox I think the front wheel arches are a bit too dominant in comparison to the rear. If they were measured, they would probably be quite similar, but because there is less body color mass around the arches of the front than the back, the illusion results in the wheel arch sizes seeming a bit off balance (looks too heavy in the front).

Perhaps what is needed is a more aggressive front?

Although a heavy, planted look on a SUV may be successful for other designs, on this design it doesn’t suit when viewed holistically with the rest of the car. For me, the front of the car guides the feeling for the rest of the car and I don’t think the Equinox’s bug-eye almost cute face matches the heavy set arches. An attempt to ‘aggressify’ the front fascia of the car can be seen, but is not pulled off. The spears formed from budging lower vents and the under-hook of the lamps in theory is aggressive, but for some reason I think the soft and flat bonnet and peaky front grille, (and possibly that bow-tie badge) seem to be cheekily grinning at me. Is it grinning at you too?

A rear that is neither bold or cute

The rear of the car is quite anonymous and neither aggressive nor cutesy. It almost looks like a result of drawing horizontal lines between whatever was happening around the corners of the body side. Just as disappointing as the rear are elements that also don’t fit in with the rest of the design. For example, the rear glass solution on the side view around the C-pillar has an unusual solution that makes the roof look bent. Another is how the details around the head lamps meet the grille and front of the bonnet contradict each other.
Overall this design is all a bit mixed up. The front wants to be a small car, the side wants to be aggressive then the rear is nothing… literally…It’s a shame that this GM Designed car is so directionless compared to its Ford rivals…