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Starting at
Starting at
| 203 | Torque (lb-ft): | 199 |
| 8 | Available Exterior Colors: | 6 |
| Yes | Teen Driver Technology: | No |
When it comes to SUVs these days, you have a lot of different vehicles to choose from—not just from different manufacturers but even within a single lineup. Take Chevy, for example; the Chevy lineup includes seven different SUVs right now, not including electrified options, which gives you an incredible selection to choose from. If you are interested in a compact SUV, then you have a ton of models offered by different brands out there, which can make it difficult to narrow down your options. Looking at one or two at a time to compare them can make things a lot simpler, so let's compare the 2024 Chevy Equinox vs 2024 Ford Escape to see how they stack up against each other.
For starters, these two models have a lot in common: they are both compact SUVs that are pretty similar in overall size, and they start with comparable engines. The 2024 Chevy Equinox features a 1.5L Turbo I-4 engine with 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, while the Ford Escape comes standard with a 1.5L I-3 that offers similar horsepower and slightly less torque. You get some towing capability with these two small SUVs, giving you enough muscle to pull a small trailer behind your vehicle. While they have a lot in common, there are also some important differences between these two SUVs that give the Chevy Equinox the edge.
Looking at the customization options for these two vehicles, for example, we can see that both of them let you choose from different exterior colors, a wide range of interior options, and a variety of trim levels. Where Chevy comes out on top is that they give you access to a number of special editions for the Equinox, such as the Redline Edition and Midnight Edition, further letting you customize your ride to make it yours. Both of these SUVs come with a terrific range of standard and available safety technologies. Still, Chevy goes further with its impressive Teen Driver tech to help encourage safe habits, making it an amazing choice for a new driver on the road. The fact that you can get all of these great features with Equinox, yet it starts at nearly $3,000 less, makes it a clear winner in our book.
This might seem strange coming from a car dealership, but we understand how pricey many vehicles have become these days. We are not immune to inflation, and we know how expensive simply existing has become; all of us here at DePaula Chevrolet have to buy groceries and pay our bills just like everyone else. And just like many of our customers, we look for any opportunity to cut costs and make our budget a bit more manageable, which is something Chevy seems to understand, too.
Looking at the 2024 Chevy Equinox and the 2024 Ford Escape, one thing quickly becomes clear: the Equinox goes a lot easier on the wallet. This is not to say that the Ford Escape is overpriced; there are plenty of great things about the Escape, and it has a lot to offer, so we are sure the price tag is probably justified. But we cannot escape the fact that you get the Equinox for a lot less than what you are likely to pay for the Escape, which is an important factor to us.
Based on their starting prices, the 2024 Chevy Equinox LS (its starting trim) has the advantage with its baseline MSRP of $26,600.[a] By comparison, the 2024 Ford Escape Active (starting trim for the Escape) starts at $29,495 MSRP. Some quick math shows this is a difference of nearly $3,000, which is nothing to sneeze at. This gap in price and value continues between these two models as you look at other trims, too, particularly with things like the available hybrid options for the Escape. The Equinox Premier comes in at less than $32,000 MSRP; meanwhile, the Ford Escape Platinum starts at nearly $37,000.[a] If your budget is as important to you as ours is to us, then the value of the Equinox cannot be overstated.
We are just going to say it: we are suckers for great customization options with a vehicle. There is nothing quite like the freedom to make a new vehicle truly your own and to pick from a wide range of options in doing so. This is one of the reasons we love being a Chevy dealership because it is clear that Chevrolet feels the same way based on the tremendous number of options available to you with a vehicle like the 2024 Equinox.
Looking at the 2024 Ford Escape, on the other hand, we see a more limited range of options, which is unfortunate. Ford offers a number of different trim levels for the Escape, which makes it easy to explore different options, but that is about it. Sure, some different engines are available and a variety of exterior colors—but even that is rather limited, with just six colors for drivers to choose from.
With the Chevy Equinox, you have eight different exterior colors, giving you greater freedom to make it exactly the vehicle you want. In addition to this, beyond the variety of trim levels available, you can also choose from numerous special editions for the Equinox, letting you further customize your ride.
For example, if you want something with street styling, then the Redline Edition gives you 19-inch Black wheels with Red accents, Redline decals on the exterior, and a Redline-specific grille. On the other hand, if you like a clean and imposing look, the Midnight Edition features 18-inch gloss Black wheels, front and rear Black bowtie emblems, a unique Black grille, and more details. This lets you choose from many different options to create an Equinox that perfectly represents your style.
As much as we love things like multiple engine options or unique packages and features, nothing is more important than how well a vehicle can help keep you safe. This is something both Ford and Chevy understand, and they provide you with a tremendous selection of standard and available safety features—Chevy simply goes further. With the 2024 Ford Escape, every model comes with the Ford CoPilot360 suite of advanced driver assistance features. This includes Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking to help drivers avoid a crash, plus a Lane-Keeping System with a Driver Alert to help people avoid drifting from their lanes. Other types of driver assistance tech, like Evasive Steering Assist and Rear Parking Sensors, are available on the Escape, but they do not come standard.
Every 2024 Equinox comes with the Chevy Safety Assist package of tech systems, including a Forward Collision Alert with Automatic Emergency Braking, a Following Distance Indicator, and Front Pedestrian Braking in case someone steps out onto the road in front of you. You also get Lane Keep Assist with a Lane Departure Warning, plus IntelliBeam automatic high beams that activate automatically in low-light conditions and switch off when oncoming traffic is detected to avoid blinding other drivers.
One of our favorite pieces of safety tech on the Equinox is Chevy's Teen Driver system, which comes standard on every model. This is a suite of systems and features that you can tie to a particular key fob, and then every time your teen driver gets in, it activates automatically. With the Teen Driver system engaged, certain features such as the maximum music volume and reminders to maintain a safe driving speed are affected. There is even an in-vehicle report card that you can check to see how your new driver is doing, which makes it easy to reinforce safe habits or discuss issues they might be having. When combined with the reliable performance and compact size of the Equinox, all of these features make this a fantastic choice for a new driver looking to enjoy that first taste of freedom.
There is no denying that the Ford Escape is a fine vehicle; it simply lacks a number of terrific things that make the Chevy Equinox a better choice. While the Teen Driver system might not be for everyone, if you have a new driver in your household—or you will soon—there is nothing that can replace the extra peace of mind that this technology can provide. The fact that we can offer you this great tech and more amazing features at a much lower price than the Ford Escape is the icing on this proverbial cake and one of the reasons we are so proud to be able to help you find the perfect Chevy vehicle. No matter what you are looking for in your next ride, Chevy has you covered with an incredible selection of cars, trucks, and SUVs.
Here at DePaula Chevrolet, we are committed to providing you with the best car-buying experience possible, focusing on what you need every day. With one of our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople by your side, it is easy to explore the Chevy lineup, learn more about each model, and find everything you need from your next ride. We will answer all of your questions, make financing as simple and hassle-free as possible, and even be here for you for many years to come with ongoing service and support for your vehicle. Call or come visit us at DePaula Chevrolet today to learn more, and let us show you the difference that choosing the right dealership makes while shopping for an SUV.
*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.
