How Does the Chevy Equinox Stack Up Against Its Compact Competitors?
Compact SUVs are popular vehicles in the US, and for good reason. They’re versatile, spacious, and nimble, so you can easily drive anywhere you want to go and bring who and what you need along for the ride. If you’ve been looking at a used Chevy Equinox for sale, you’ve probably noticed that it’s one of many models in this segment. In such a crowded field, all of the choices available can feel overwhelming. Since we believe in helping our customers stay informed, we here at DePaula Chevrolet are happy to help you research all of your options.
Today, we’ll see how the Equinox stacks up against other models in its segment. We’ll touch on SUVs made by a wide variety of foreign and domestic automakers, from Ford to Volkswagen. By the end of this article, you should have a good idea of what your options are and which one is the right choice for you.
Segment Overview
Most vehicles called “compact SUVs” are technically compact crossovers. Traditionally, an SUV has a more truck-like body that’s useful for off-roading and towing but not as well-suited to delivering a smooth ride on paved roads. Crossovers use the bodystyle of a traditional SUV, with an open cargo area in the back and a high seating position, but with the unibody build traditionally associated with cars, giving drivers the best of both worlds.
Because of their smaller size, these vehicles are easy to drive on tight city streets and easier to park than full-size SUVs. They tend to be too small to fit a third row of seating, but each of the five people who can fit in the cabin should have plenty of room to stretch out, even taller passengers. While some compact SUVs have off-road capability, most are focused on delivering a great experience during day-to-day driving around town and longer road trips on freeways.
Affordability
Whether you’re a single worker or a parent, affordability is an important factor when shopping for a vehicle. Even used models can seem pretty expensive when your budget is tight. Working with a dealer that has an experienced finance department can help break sticker prices down into low monthly payments, but it’s still smart to go with an affordable option and put the extra money in your pocket for a rainy day.
The Equinox has long been a great value, delivering quality at a low price. The 2024 model comes standard with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, a modern infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a well-appointed interior, all for a starting MSRP of $26,600.[a] Rivals like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV-4 all have starting prices of over $30k and trim levels that just go up from there, sometimes as high as $51,000, while the most expensive trim on the 2024 Equinox is only $31,800.[a] When considering the price of a current model, you can easily see that a pre-owned model will be quite affordable. For example, a used 2022 model can be found for around $20,000.
Trim Levels
Trim levels give you multiple choices within a single model, making it easier to get just the right balance between included features and budget. You want to have a few options at different price points that have easy-to-understand differences. Too few options can feel limiting and too many can feel confusing, so there is a sweet spot somewhere in the middle. The Equinox hits that sweet spot pretty well. From the 2022 model year to the 2024 model year, the Equinox has four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier.
The base LS model is basic and affordable, the LT trim has some extra comfort and convenience equipment, the RS has a distinctly sporty look with exclusive style, and the Premier is the most luxurious, with an extremely comfortable interior. The trims vary in price, but the top-tier trim isn’t wildly more expensive than the others and any of the trim levels can be had with either fuel-efficient front-wheel drive or be upgraded to all-wheel drive for increased traction.
Looking at other compact SUVs, there are certainly competitors with an easy-to-follow lineup of trims. The Tiguan’s lineup is similar, with S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line following a gradual progression upward in terms of both price and included features, for instance. But others are less friendly to drivers. The Dodge Hornet only has two trims, GT and GT Plus, and the price difference between the two is particularly high. Having an option in the middle would make a lot of sense.
The Mitsubishi Outlander, on the other side of the spectrum, has a gaggle of nine trims that get very pricey as you climb the ladder and include multiple different editions that give prospective buyers a lot of research to do if they want to find the right option. The Honda CR-V, meanwhile, doesn’t let you upgrade to its top-tier Sport trims without also upgrading to the more expensive hybrid powertrain, leaving drivers who want an athletic look and a traditional engine out of luck.
The Equinox’s Unique Teen Driver Technology
When it comes to tech generally, a lot of compact SUVs offer similar features. Driver assistance features like forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist have been available on most models for years now and newer model years tend to have them as standard fare even on lower trims. Even cheaper models like the Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross have all that and a touchscreen infotainment system.
Smartphone connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are likewise widespread throughout the segment. They became standard equipment on the Equinox for the 2018 model year, and while models like the Ford Escape still had base trims without even a touchscreen back then, rivals like the Honda CR-V have been offering these systems across the board for just as long or longer.
However, there are some tech features on the Equinox that aren’t so easy to come by with other automakers. The best example of this is Teen Driver, which became standard fare on all trims of the Equinox back in the 2018 model year. This feature can be a lifesaver for parents who are teaching their teenagers how to drive. Once they’ve officially gotten their license and are allowed to go out on their own, it can be hard to help them continue to establish good habits behind the wheel.
Teen Driver makes having a young driver a lot easier, encouraging safe behavior in clever ways, like muting the radio until the driver and front-seat passenger are buckled up. The system can also make sure that certain safety features can’t be disabled when your teen is behind the wheel or make sure that the audio can’t be turned up too loud. You can share the Equinox without dealing with the Teen Driver features yourself by setting up a designated key fob for your teenager. At the end of a drive, you can access an in-vehicle report card to see how well your little ones are improving and know what areas still need work so you can coach them more effectively.
In the Crowded Compact Field, the Equinox Stands Out
There are certainly plenty of compact SUVs out there, and many of them are great vehicles. But the Equinox definitely has a lot to offer, from its affordable price to its easy-to-navigate range of trim levels and useful onboard tech. On top of all that, it’s a stylish model with a lot of personality that handles well on the road so getting there really can be half the fun. If you think a small SUV is right for you, you can shop for a used Equinox with confidence, knowing that it’s a great option even when stacked against fierce competition.
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