2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs the Competition

The Honda CR-V has been on the US market for 28 years. Its current sixth-generation model was introduced for the 2023 model year. It is available with FWD and AWD drivetrains, conventional gas, and hybrid drivetrains. We compare the non-electrified version with the Equinox.

• Both the Equinox and CR-V run on turbocharged 1.5-liter engines. The two models trade power advantages, with the Equinox having 175 hp compared to the CR-V’s 190 yet having 203 lb-ft of peak torque to the Honda’s 179.
• The CR-V has higher mileage of 28 city, 34 highway for a FWD model than the Equinox’s 26 / 28 (FWD), but this is balanced by the CR-V recommending premium 91 octane fuel, while the Equinox only requires regular 87 octane.
• Front headroom measures the same for both models at 40.0 inches. The Equinox provides an extra inch of headroom for rear passengers, while the CR-V offers a little over an inch more rear legroom. The shoulder and hip rooms are all within an inch of one another.
• Both models come standard with a suite of safety and driver assistance technologies, and both 2025 models received an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the Equinox scored five stars in both the frontal impact and rollover tests, while the CR-V also achieved four stars in each.
• The Equinox offers significantly better Roadside Assistance coverage of five years or 60,000 miles compared to three years or 36,000 miles for the CR-V.
• The Equinox has a lower overall price range, with a starting MSRP of $26,600, while the CR-V starts nearly $3,000 higher at $29,500.

The entire compact crossover category was created by Toyota when they introduced the car-based RAV4 in 1994. Today, the RAV4 is well into its fifth design generation and is built on a version of the Camry platform. It is the best-selling model in the category and the best-selling Toyota model as well. This comparison is focused against the non-electrified RAV4 models in which Toyota takes a more conventional approach with a 2.5-liter normally aspirated (non-turbo or supercharged) inline-4, producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of peak torque at 5000 rpm.

• The Equinox and RAV4 trade power advantages, with the RAV4 having the horsepower advantage of 203 hp vs. the 175 of the Equinox. However, the Equinox produces 203 lb-ft of torque at a low, easily accessible 2,000 rpm compared to the RAV4’s 184 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm.
• The Equinox offers a bit more passenger space at 103.5 cubic feet compared to 98.9 for the RAV4.
• Tall drivers or front passengers will appreciate the two more inches of headroom.
• Rear passengers will enjoy over two more inches of legroom in the Equinox (39.9 vs. 37.8 inches).
• Helping provide that extra rear legroom is a two-inch longer wheelbase, which also helps with high-speed stability.
• The Equinox will look newer longer. It was redesigned in 2024, while the RAV4 is in the sixth year of its current design and will soon have a replacement design.
• The Equinox has a standard 11.3-inch center touchscreen compared to the standard 8-inch screen on the RAV4.
• Both Equinox and RAV4 received an overall five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, the Equinox scored five stars in both the frontal impact and rollover tests, while the CR-V achieved four stars in each.
• The Equinox also has a distinct advantage in terms of affordability. The starting MSRP for the entry-level LS with FWD is $26,600, while the RAV4 LS with FWD starts at $29,250.

The Ford Escape first appeared in 2000 and was a joint venture between Ford and Mazda. That cooperation ended with the second generation when Mazda introduced the CX-5. Today, the Escape is in its fourth design generation on a platform shared with the Bronco Sport and Maverick pickup. It is also the last generation, as Ford has announced that 2025 is the last year for the Ford Escape, with the Bronco Sport filling the gap. This comparison is with the non-electrified version of the Escape.

• While they share the same 1.5-liter displacement and turbocharging, the Escape is one of two models in this category powered by a 3-cylinder engine, which has vibration issues that are not found in 4-cylinder engines.
• The Equinox has a standard 11.3-inch center touchscreen compared to the standard 8-inch screen on the base Escape.
• The convenience of adaptive cruise control is standard on the base Equinox but an option on the base Escape.
• Convenience features like heated outside mirrors, heated steering wheel, heated seats, and keyless entry are all standard on the Equinox but are optional on the Escape.
• The Equinox boasts better quality and reliability with a J.D. Power score of 88 out of 100, outperforming the Ford Escape’s score of 85 out of 100.
• Both the Equinox and Escape have 5-star ratings from the NHTSA and have 5-star ratings in all impact tests.

The Nissan Rogue debuted in 2008 and is now in its third design generation. It is currently the best-selling Nissan model. Its size is very similar to that of the Escape, and it is the only model in the category to feature a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-3 engine.

• Both models share the same 1.5-liter displacement and turbocharging, but the Rogue engine has three cylinders compared to four for the Equinox, resulting in more vibration.
• Rear passengers will enjoy more rear legroom in the Equinox vs. the Rogue (39.9 vs. 38.5 inches).
• Cold-weather features like heated seats, heated outside mirrors, and heated steering wheel are all standard on the Equinox but are optional on the Rogue.
• The convenience of keyless entry is standard on the Equinox but optional on the Tucson.
• The Equinox provides the convenience of standard Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, whereas the Rogue requires a wired connection.
• The Equinox has a standard 11.3-inch center touchscreen compared to the standard 8-inch screen on the base Rogue.
• Adaptive cruise control is standard on the Equinox but requires a trim upgrade for the Rogue.