Take a Drive to Key West in Style With The All New 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

A few weeks ago, I was contacted about giving a test drive to the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox crossover. A DIESEL. I have never driven a diesel vehicle before, so clearly, I was a bit nervous...but, as fate would have it, I had a friend visiting from Germany during this time frame, and we planned on doing a few day trips around South Florida: events in Art Basel, South Beach, the Florida Keys, Disney World...I don't know much about diesel-fueled vehicles, but I did know that they have fantastic fuel mileage, and this would be the perfect opportunity to try out a new car AND save on fuel costs while I introduced my friend to everything I love about South Florida!

As everyone is well aware - or least, you should be - the Florida Keys were completely ravaged by Hurricane Irma in September. I love the Florida Keys and I have spent a lot of time there since childhood. When I found out that I'd be reviewing the Chevy DIESEL Equinox, I knew I'd be heading to Disney World, but...I simply had to take my German friend to Key West too! With incredible gas mileage, how could I not make the ultimate most of our weekend in this fab ride?

You simply haven't lived until you've tried to throw a penny into the mouth of the fish at Capt. Tony's saloon - legend has it, you'll have a lifetime of good luck if you make it!

But first, my best friend Colleen and I took him to a rooftop lounge in Downtown Miami so that he could experience a real Friday night, Miami style.

It was actually Ladies Night, but of course we couldn't exclude him!

One of the really cool things we noticed right away was that the 2018 Chevy Equinox had not one, not two, but FOUR USB ports so that we could all charge our phones at the same time!

Oh...by the way? The 2018 Chevy Equinox also has WIFI. Yes, WIFI in the car! As my friend was only using WIFI while in the states, this was especially beneficial for him because he didn't have to wait around for a WIFI hotspot to keep in touch with his friends and family back home!

On Saturday, I packed our bags and set out on a road trip heading all the way down to Key West, then back up to Orlando, then to drop him off on South Beach for the rest of his trip.

There was PLENTY of room in that huge cargo area, so we packed all of my things for the trip, a cooler full of snacks and basically, everything he had brought along for his month-long trip to Miami.

The car was SO NICE inside...let's just talk about a little of the frills!

Dual power driver and passenger seats
Ventilated driver and passenger seats
Panoramic power sunroof
Bose^® premium 7-speaker system
Heated steering wheel (which came in surprisingly handy during our Miami cold front)
Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert

My favorite part of all of this new technology was the Chevrolet MyLink^®1 audio system with 7" diagonal Color Touch screen - I haven't had any of that in my 2006 model car...I became SO SPOILED by the CarPlay!

Apple CarPlay^TM and Android Auto^TM capability for compatible phones
Bluetooth² streaming audio for music and select phones
Voice-activated technology for radio and phone

Our first stop was my favorite seaside attraction on the way to Key West, Robbies.

It's this fantastic spot where you can walk out onto the pier and feed Tarpon, shop the artists shops and of course, have a delicious lunch right on the water.

Unfortunately, it was a little too cold for the Tarpon to come out, but we still had a great lunch and my friend was happy to be in the sunshine - even our idea of "cold" here in Miami doesn't compare to the frigid temperatures of German in December!

I drive a VERY OLD car - it's a 2006 - so when I stepped into the The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Diesel...let's just say it made me realize exactly how old my car is and all of the really awesome things I am missing out on by driving a car basically devoid of any kind of technology.

Starting at just under $30,000, the Chevrolet 2018 Equinox Diesel is one sweet ride. It's so spacious! It's so pretty! It's so technologically advanced!

Even the backseat is really cool, and you know how it goes, most of the time, the backseat of any car is no frills and super boring.

Cup holders. AC vents. Charging ports. Like...what? This is a real thing now? With a spacious backseat like this, I doubt any of my friends would complain about not being able to ride shotgun!

I actually took the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox our for Ladie's Night while I had it and we stuck my visitor in the backseat - he's 5'11" - and he didn't even mind. It's that comfy!

I had the 2018 Chevy Equinox Diesel for just a few days, but it left a lasting impression and provided my friend and I with countless adventures!

By the way, we went all the way from South Miami to Key West AND back...and we never had to refuel. That's how amazing the mileage is on the 2018 Chevy Equinox Diesel, it gets between 31 and 40 miles to the gallon!