The Chevy Equinox has recently been redesigned both inside and out to make it even more competitive in the popular compact crossover class. To see how good it is compared to the competition, let’s see how it measure up to the Toyota RAV4.
Desirability: Chevy Equinox
The RAV4 is now more attractive and cohesive than it has been in the past, although most would probably stop short of calling it attractive. The popular Toyota SUV looks very modern and angular, which can be a little off-putting to more traditional buyers.
There’s a new, more aggressive look to the Equinox these days thanks to more than a little borrowing from the likes of the Cruze and Malibu sedans. The result is a more premium, prestige look and feel about the Chevy–that’s why we believe it’s the more desirable of the two.
Passenger and cargo space: Toyota RAV4
By exterior measurements the RAV4 and the Equinox are almost identical in size, but Chevy and Toyota have done a great job as far as making the most of the available space. The Toyota has a much bigger interior passenger volume of 102 cubic feet. compared to the 90 cubic feet of the Equinox. But the only place this is really evident for passengers is in the front seats.
The Equinox has better head room and more room in the back for rear-seat passengers, but the RAV4 does have a good deal more cargo space throughout.
Power and performance: Chevy Equinox
Both of these models are squarely aimed at on-road use even though they are both available with all-wheel drive. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the Toyota does have a little more horsepower than the new 1.5-liter turbo-four that’s standard in the Equinox.
On the other hand, there’s a lot more torque available with the Chevy. That available power makes the Equinox an impressive performer. Chevy also offers a 2.0-liter turbo and a new 1.6-liter turbodiesel for the Equinox, while the only way to get a little more power in the RAV4 is to go for the hybrid. The Chevy Equinox clearly has the more impressive engine lineup.
Fuel economy: Chevy Equinox
It’s a little difficult comparing these two for fuel economy because the RAV4 doesn’t have a diesel and the Equinox doesn’t do hybrid just yet. If we just look at gas engines, the Chevy is the clear winner with best EPA-estimated ratings of 26 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg combined.
The best a RAV4 with the non-hybrid powerplant can manage is 23 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway and 26 mpg combined. This final round goes to the Chevy.