Starting at
Starting at
4-Cylinder Turbo | Engine | 3-Cylinder Turbo |
Automatic | Transmission | CVT |
39.9 | Rear Legroom (in) | 38.5 |
The compact SUV segment is loaded with options for families in need of a roomy vehicle with optional all-wheel drive. Two of the most popular choices are the 2022 Chevy Equinox vs 2022 Nissan Rogue, both of which offer plentiful driver-assist technology and conveniences to make daily driving an activity to enjoy. Each SUV has a few new features for 2022, particularly the Equinox, which received a mid-cycle refresh that brought updated LED lights, three new grille designs, and three new choices for wheel upgrades. Chevy also updated features for its two uppermost trims in the RS and Premier, while the 2022 Rogue added a new engine.
Each compact SUV is available in four trim levels and has the option to add all-wheel drive to any trim level. The 2022 Equinox starts with the entry-level LS, which is fairly generous with standard features, followed by the LT with more package options, the sporty RS, and the luxurious Premier as the uppermost level. For the 2022 Rogue, the trims begin with the entry-level S and move on to the more feature-friendly SV, the more luxurious SL, and the top-tier Platinum. Trims for the Equinox start at a lower price and continue to remain lower than the Rogue all the way up to the top trims, even though many of the same conveniences are available on both SUVs.
Whether seeking to stay connected with an onboard hotspot or having the option of roof rails for transporting more cargo, the 2022 Equinox and 2022 Rogue deliver a wide array of features. Infotainment screens in both SUVs are operated with the use of a touchscreen, knobs, and buttons to make accessing content simpler, and both Chevy and Nissan make their systems user-friendly. However, only the Equinox offers buyers sport styling with the blacked-out exterior features in the RS trim. Nissan does not have this option in the lineup, and it unfortunately misses the mark on a number of other features, which is disappointing if you plan to drive your SUV as a family vehicle.
Comparing performance of the 2022 Equinox to the 2022 Rogue will reveal a number of similarities between the two SUVs, though the differences may affect daily driving significantly. In terms of the engines, each SUV has a fuel-efficient powertrain with enough responsiveness to make travel satisfying both in town and on the highway. Where the SUVs differ is in the transmission. For the Rogue, despite updating its continuously variable transmission, the system still tends to produce a mechanical drone that may be annoying to passengers, particularly on the highway. In contrast, the Equinox continues to utilize a six-speed automatic transmission that responds to driving situations in a predictable manner without excess noise.
Exterior features tend to be similar for the Equinox and Rogue in terms of conveniences like standard solar-absorbing glass, LED headlights, and keyless entry with push-button ignition. However, only the Equinox provides extras like standard heated exterior mirrors, a boon in winter weather to help get on the road faster after a storm. In other ways, both the Equinox and Rogue offer many of the same features in the same trims, such as a panoramic sunroof, powered liftgate, or hands-free liftgate. The difference lies in knowing the 2022 Equinox saves buyers money at each trim level to get the same features but with a more comfortable ride quality, a more responsive transmission, and a quieter interior.
Technology is so integrated with our daily lives that auto manufacturers are including more and more as standard equipment for most new vehicles today. Though Nissan tends to be a tech-friendly brand, some desirable features many buyers may want are only available in upper trims. Fans of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will gain these features in the entry-level trim of both the 2022 Equinox and 2022 Rogue, but the Rogue doesn’t have much more than that for technology or infotainment in the base trim level. Bluetooth and two USB ports are about all the infotainment to be found in the Rogue S trim. Connected services are not available for the entry-level trim of the Nissan, an unfortunate omission considering its price.
In contrast to the Rogue, the 2022 Equinox offers standard WiFi connectivity for up to seven devices at once, including a free trial subscription. Connected services are available for all trims, some of which are included without needing to purchase a subscription, such as accessing remote services like maintenance notifications or the Marketplace. Compared to the two standard USB ports in the Rogue, the Equinox comes standard with four: two in front and two in the rear. Of course, Bluetooth is also standard for the Equinox. Upper trims for both SUVs gain features like SiriusXM, Amazon Alexa connectivity, and navigation. Wireless charging and navigation are found in the uppermost trims.
Interior features are in many ways matched between the two brands, with upgrades like leather seating, heated seats, and dual-zone climate control available. Cargo space is flexible for both SUVs, with the option to fold the rear seat in a 60/40 split to accommodate items in a variety of ways. Only the Chevy Equinox offers reclining rear seats, and rear-seat passengers in the 2022 Equinox will have more legroom than in the 2022 Rogue. If you have tall teens in the family or need to drive adults as rear-seat passengers, the 2022 Equinox will provide more comfort and space than the Rogue. In addition, the connected services that come standard at no cost to Equinox buyers are included for ten years of ownership.
When it comes to safety, parents often prefer to purchase vehicles with high safety ratings and numerous driver-assist features to provide extra assistance on the road. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Equinox a five-star overall safety rating compared to the four-star rating of the 2022 Rogue, which did not fare as well in frontal crash testing. Despite the numerous available driver-assist features Nissan provides as standard, the Equinox may be the better choice if safety is a concern. Year after year, the Equinox has performed well in safety tests, garnering a five-star rating from the NHTSA every year since its 2018 redesign.
Each SUV comes standard with a wide variety of driver-assist features, including shared similarities like Automatic High Beams, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Pedestrian Detection. Chevy gives the 2022 Equinox Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning and a Following Distance Indicator, and the 2022 Rogue comes with Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Divergences also are found in other standard safety features like Chevy’s Teen Driver, which allows parents to set speed and stereo volume limits—among other things—to help keep your teen safer when a parent isn’t in the vehicle. Nissan offers a similar feature, but it is only accessible in the connected service that requires a subscription. In addition, Chevy provides a Rear Seat Reminder so tired parents won’t forget sleeping little ones in the back seat.
Finally, Chevy offers buyers the option to connect OnStar service at any trim level. Though it does require a subscription to access the safety features like a stolen vehicle locator or automatic emergency response after an accident, a similar feature is not available to buyers of the 2022 Rogue until purchasing the second trim level. Upper trims likewise have a few similarities, like an available 360-degree camera system and Adaptive Cruise Control, but the Equinox can be equipped with a Safety Alert Seat that vibrates to alert the driver to danger. Though Nissan has its Intelligent Driver Alertness feature, which warns a fatigued driver to pull over, the Safety Alert Seat is more likely to keep a tired driver safer. For overall safety, the 2022 Equinox pulls ahead of the Rogue.