Equinox vs. The Competition
Today’s compact SUV market is crowded with vehicles that claim to be family-friendly, reliable, and affordable. So how do you choose? Here at Heidebreicht Chevrolet, we recommend the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox. When you compare it to major competitors, the Equinox is clearly the better buy.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox vs. 2021 Toyota RAV4
Comfortable passenger space is a must for any family vehicle, and the Equinox offers more of it in key areas than the RAV4. You and your front passenger will enjoy 40 inches of front headroom in the Equinox, while the RAV4 only offers 37.7 inches. Second-row riders in the Equinox can stretch out with a generous 39.9 inches of legroom, compared to only 37.8 inches in the RAV4. The versatile interior of the Equinox also offers 5 more cubic feet of total passenger volume than the RAV4.
Safety tech
The Equinox and RAV4 both come equipped with an array of advanced technologies for your family’s protection and peace of mind. However, the Equinox offers three key safety features that you can’t get on the RAV4. Chevrolet’s Teen Driver tech comes standard, allowing you to track your young driver’s behavior and set parameters for them. Rear Seat Reminder comes standard, too, alerting you to items you may have left behind in the second row. The Safety Alert Seat is an available feature that warns you of approaching danger with vibrations on either side.
Special editions
Looking for ways to customize your SUV? The Equinox boasts three available special editions that you won’t find in the RAV4 lineup. The Redline Edition comes with 19-inch red-accented black wheels, an exclusive grille, and unique black accents. The Midnight Edition features a Mosaic Black Metallic Paint job, 19-inch Gloss Black wheels, and an interior trimmed in Jet Black premium cloth. The Sport Edition offers features similar to the Midnight Edition, but with more paint color options.
Affordability
Affordability is always an important factor when you’re deciding on a new family vehicle. The Equinox comes out ahead here — its starting MSRP of $24,995 is more than $1,000 less than the RAV4.* And when you compare top trim levels, the Equinox Premier beats the RAV4 Limited with a price that’s nearly $2,000 lower.
To learn more about why the 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is such an excellent choice, visit Heidebreicht Chevrolet in Washington, Michigan. We carry a huge selection of Equinox models to help you find exactly what you need.
*MSRP excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. See dealer for details.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox vs. 2021 Honda CR-V
Exterior styling choices
The Equinox stands out immediately with three handsome special-edition packages that you won’t be able to get on the CR-V. The Midnight Edition adds 19-inch gloss black wheels, a black grille, dark accents, and Mosaic Black Metallic paint on the exterior, plus jet black premium cloth seats inside. The similarly black-accented Sport Edition lets you choose from a greater variety of paint options. On the Redline Edition, you’ll receive 19-inch black wheels with red accents, a unique grille design, and red-outlined black badging.
Safety tech
These SUVs both get the safety basics right, but the Equinox sets itself apart with a pair of features that you won’t find on any CR-V trim. The vehicle’s standard Teen Driver technology gives you peace of mind with functions like Buckle to Drive, a speed limiter, and an in-vehicle report card for your child’s driving habits. The Equinox also comes with an optional Safety Alert Seat that supplements the vehicle’s visual and audio warnings. With this seat turned on, you’ll feel pulses on either side that alert you to oncoming danger.
Rear-seat features
The Equinox delivers a more convenient driving experience with two rear-seat features that aren’t available on the CR-V. If you’re carrying valuables or anything else in the back, the standard Rear Seat Reminder chimes when you leave the vehicle to ensure that you don’t forget these items. If you’re hauling your kids, the optional rear-seat entertainment system is a game-changer. Its two 8-inch screens, available DVD player, and wireless headphones will keep all ages occupied and engaged wherever you go.
Pricing levels
Compared to the CR-V, buying the Equinox will help you save money no matter which trim you choose. The base Equinox L trim beats the price of the entry-level CR-V LX by a few hundred dollars. Meanwhile, the highest Equinox trim level, the Premier with AWD, comes in nearly $1,000 lower than its CR-V Touring counterpart.
To learn more about how the 2021 Equinox outclasses the competition, stop in for a test drive here at Heidebreicht Chevrolet in Washington, Michigan.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox vs. 2021 Jeep Compass
Passenger and cargo space
Plentiful space for passengers and cargo is one of the biggest must-haves for a versatile family vehicle. The Equinox easily beats the Compass on both counts. It boasts 3 more cubic feet of overall passenger volume, plus better legroom, hip room, and shoulder room in the second row. The Equinox also beats the Compass on cargo space, offering 2 extra cubic feet when all seats are in use and 4 extra cubic feet when the second row is folded down.
Standard safety tech
The Equinox completely outclasses the Compass with standard safety features to protect you and your loved ones. Chevy Safety Assist is included with every trim and packages these six technologies: Following Distance Indicator, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian Braking. These important safety features aren’t offered at all on the base trim of the Compass, and on many other trims, you’ll have to pay extra to get them as options.
Helpful features
Journeys with your family are much more convenient and comfortable with the standard and available amenities you’ll find in the Equinox — but not in any Compass trim. Standard Active Noise Cancellation banishes unwanted sounds from the cabin and makes rides more relaxing. The available rear-seat infotainment system offers two 8-inch screens, a DVD player, and wireless headphones to make long drives a little more enjoyable. You can also opt for a hands-free gesture liftgate for hassle-free loading and unloading. Another great Equinox option is 360-degree HD Surround Vision, a camera system that helps you park and back up with less stress.
2021 Chevrolet Equinox vs. 2021 Jeep Cherokee
Safety features
To help you keep your family protected, every Equinox model comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist. This package includes six important systems: Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam® auto high-beam headlamps. Compare all of this to the Jeep Cherokee, which offers a much less generous package of standard safety features.
Cargo space
The interior of the Equinox provides plenty of versatile space for passengers and cargo. If you fold down the rear seats, you’ll open up a total of 63.9 cubic feet to accommodate your cargo. All this space is perfect for hauling DIY supplies, sporting gear, moving boxes, and more. It’s also a lot more room than you’ll get with the Cherokee, which only offers a max of 54.7 cubic feet for your stuff.
Special editions
If you prefer a family vehicle that’s a little more customized, the Equinox is available in a trio of special editions to help you stand out. The Redline Edition, Midnight Edition, and Sport Edition add an array of 19-inch wheel choices, special grille designs, and unique exterior badging and accents. With the Midnight and Sport editions, you’ll also get seats trimmed in Jet Black premium cloth. However, you won’t find the same special-edition designs in the Cherokee lineup.
Affordability
The Equinox is loaded with features you’ll love — at a price you can afford. At $24,995, the MSRP for the entry-level Equinox L trim comes in about $1,500 lower than the comparable Cherokee model.* The high-end Equinox Premier trim also costs less than its Cherokee counterpart.
*MSRP excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. See dealer for details.