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| 170 - 252 HP | Horsepower | 170 HP |
| 203 - 260 LB-FT | Torque | 175 LB-FT |
| 3,500 LBS | Towing Capacity | 1,102 LBS |
The compact SUV market is one of the fastest-growing, most competitive markets in the automotive industry. With a similar wheel placement to sedans, compact SUVs have more height and interior cabin space than the classic sedan, which means you can add more cargo and ride in comfort. This is great for a small family or when you just want more safety and security within your vehicle. Two of the top compact SUVs currently available are the Chevy Equinox and the Nissan Rogue. But which of the two is the best purchase? The best way to find out is to directly compare the 2020 Chevy Equinox vs 2020 Nissan Rogue.
The first place you'll start when comparing the 2020 Chevy Equinox and the 2020 Nissan Rogue is the MSRP. The base trim model for the Equinox is the L. The front-wheel-drive, automatic transmission compact SUV has an initial MSRP of $23,800. As for the Nissan Rogue, its entry-level trim is the front-wheel-drive S package, which has an initial MSRP of $25,200, or $1,200 more than the Equinox.
At the top of the trims are the SL for Nissan and the Premier with the Chevy. The top-tier Chevy Premier trim has an initial MSRP of $31,400. As for the SL on the Nissan Rogue, the MSRP starts at $31,590. So at the top end, the Chevy does cost more, so it will need to have improved features over the Nissan Rogue to make it worth the added expense.
One of the biggest differences between the Equinox and the Rogue is the fact that the Equinox offers two engine options while the Rogue only has one. And, currently, while the Equinox does not have a diesel engine option available in the United States, it does sell a diesel version in other markets, so there is a good chance in the next year or two there will be a diesel offering. For now, though, the best way to compare is to focus specifically on those readily available.
On the base trim of the 2020 Chevy Equinox, the crossover SUV comes with a 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine. Despite its smaller size, the engine can produce 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. On not just the base trim but across all of the trims of the Nissan Rogue, the crossover SUV uses a slightly larger 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. This results in an engine that produces an underwhelming 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. So despite having a higher initial price point, the engine used underperforms with the torque.
As for the second engine on the Chevy Equinox, this is a 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder engine. This particular engine produces 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. In this instance, the significantly improved engine may very well make the added price point on the top-tier Equinox that much more of a valuable purchase when compared to the Nissan Rogue. This particular engine is standard on several other trims as well, so you don't need to purchase the top Premier offering to take advantage of the engine upgrade.
Even when purchasing a compact SUV, you will likely want a vehicle that has quality cargo space and towing potential. In terms of cargo space, all trims offer the same amount. For the 2020 Chevy Equinox, the vehicle has 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space when all of the seats are up. When the seats are folded down, the cargo space increases to 63.9 cubic feet.
As for the Nissan Rogue, when all the seats are up, the compact SUV has 39.3 cubic feet in cargo space and up to 70 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats are down. These are some of the better cargo numbers for any crossover compact SUV in the category, so the Nissan Rogue does deliver here.
In terms of towing, though, it's a different story. On the base 2020 Chevy Equinox, the smaller 1.5L engine version can tow 1,500 pounds. This equates to a smaller trailer. The 2020 Nissan Rogue tops out at a towing capacity of 1,102 pounds, regardless of the trim you go with. This means the base Equinox can tow more than the top-of-the-line Rogue. Should you upgrade to the 2.0L Turbo engine on the Chevy Equinox, the max towing numbers jump up to 3,500 pounds, allowing you to take a small boat or even a small pop-up camper to the lake. You wouldn't be able to do that with the Rogue.
Safety is always an important aspect of any vehicle to compare and contrast. You want to keep everyone inside of your vehicle safe at all times while driving, which is why both the Chevy and Nissan vehicles come with several standard safety features.
On the entry Chevy Equinox the compact SUV features driver, front head, front side, passenger, and rear head airbags, plus 4-wheel ABS and disc brakes. Additional standard safety features on the SUV include brake assist, electronic stability control, lane departure warning, child safety locks, lane-keeping assist, daytime running lights, and traction control.
The Nissan Rogue comes with its own set of solid safety features. This includes all the same airbags and brakes as the Equinox. As for standard safety features, it comes with all the same features, plus child safety locks, cross-traffic alert, and optional integrated turn signal mirrors.
When upgrading to the top-tier trims, the 2020 Chevy Equinox comes with all the same standard features, plus cross-traffic alert, child safety locks, and integrated turn signal mirrors. The 2020 Nissan Rogue also comes with these same set of safety features. So no matter which of the vehicles you decide to go with, you and everyone else within the vehicle will be kept safe at all times.
If you plan on spending any kind of real-time within your vehicle, you will want to have some entertainment options. This way, you can pass the time a bit easier during those commutes to work or when you're stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
For the 2020 Chevy Equinox, the SUV comes standard with AM/FM stereo, an AUX input, MP3 compatibility, smart device integration via Bluetooth, and standard WiFi. The standard WiFi is especially beneficial as it does allow you to stream all of your favorite mobile applications. It also helps with playing movies for the kids over tablets or for pulling off into a rest stop and placing the finishing touches on a presentation before driving into work.
On the base 2020 Nissan Rogue, the compact crossover SUV features an AM/FM stereo, AUX input, MP3 compatibility, smart device integration via Bluetooth, satellite radio (subscription required), and a CD player. The lack of any WiFi hotspot within the Nissan Rogue is a major disappointment for many drivers who require an internet connection while on the go. If you're someone who doesn't use a smartphone or rely on music streaming apps to enjoy music, podcasts, or communicate for work, this might not be an issue, but if you are, not having a WiFi hotspot in the car is a downer.
On the top-tier trim of the 2020 Chevy Equinox, the SUV comes with AM/FM stereo, an AUX input, MP3 compatibility, WiFi hotspot, satellite radio (subscription required), and smart device integration. It also comes with the option to upgrade and includes HD radio, a premium sound system, entertainment system (great for long drives with young kids), and a navigation system. As for the 2020 Nissan Rogue, it does come with the same set of standard features, plus HD radio and a premium sound system, and a navigation system. So once again, while it does have some nice standard features (like the premium speakers and navigation), the complete lack of WiFi as even an option is noticeable.
From the engine options to the quality fuel economy and desirable internal features, the 2020 Chevy Equinox continues to impress as one of the top compact SUVs on the market. With the kind of flexibility the vehicle has with its engine offerings and the wide number of trims designed to give you exactly what you want while not paying more for features you don't, the 2020 Chevy Equinox has something for everyone. So if you're shopping for a compact crossover SUV, now is the perfect time to come out to DePaula Chevy and discover for yourself why the Equinox is such an exceptional model in the crowded field. You can find us at 785 Central Avenue in Albany, NY.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
