2026 CHEVROLET EQUINOX VS. THE COMPETITION

Shopping for a compact SUV can be difficult. There are lots of choices, and competition is fierce. The practicality and fun of the Chevrolet Equinox make it an obvious choice, but how does it stack up against the competition? To help navigate this question, Schumacher Chevrolet of Little Falls has put together this helpful guide, so you can really get into the details of your decision.

Chevrolet Equinox VS Nissan Rogue

2026 Chevrolet Equinox LT	VS	2025 Nissan Rogue S
$29,995 ✓	MSRP*	$28,590
11-inch configurable digital ✓	Gauge Cluster	Analogue
11 inches ✓	Infotainment Touchscreen	8 inches
Standard ✓	Integrated Navigation	Requires higher trim
Standard ✓	Real-time weather info	Requires higher trim
Standard ✓	Heated steering wheel	Requires higher trim
Standard ✓	Remote start	Requires higher trim
Standard ✓	Heated side mirrors	Requires higher trim
Standard ✓	Adaptive cruise control	Requires higher trim
60 months / 60,000 miles ✓	Included roadside assistance	36 months / 36,000 miles

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For our first comparison, we're looking at how the Chevy Equinox LT compares with the Nissan Rogue S. Both vehicles come with 1.5-liter turbocharged engines, as well as standard front-wheel drive. So given the comparable powertrains, we're going to focus on standard equipment. And while you would think this would be pretty comparable with two vehicles that are so similarly priced, it's not even close. For starters, the Equinox comes with a configurable digital gauge cluster as standard equipment, making it easy to keep track of relevant information. A similar setup is available for the Rogue, but not on the S trim. The Equinox also comes with an 11-inch infotainment touchscreen, making it much easier to see and operate than the 8-inch screen in the Rogue S.

Any kind of internet connection at all in the Rogue is an optional extra, meaning that connected features like integrated navigation and real-time weather information don't come standard either. But the difference in standard equipment doesn't end there, you have to option up to a higher trim of the Rogue to get things like a heated steering wheel, heated mirrors, remote start, and adaptive cruise control. And on top of all of that, you get considerably more roadside assistance coverage with the Equinox. In all, the difference in standard equipment far exceeds the slight difference in price.

Chevrolet Equinox VS Ford Escape

2026 Chevrolet Equinox LT	VS	2025 Ford Escape Active
$29,995	MSRP*	$29,150
11-inch configurable digital ✓	Gauge Cluster	8-inch digital
11 inches ✓ ✓	Infotainment Touchscreen	8 inches
Standard ✓	Integrated Navigation	Optional
Standard ✓	Real-time weather info	Optional
Standard ✓	Heated steering wheel	Optional
Standard ✓	Heated side mirrors	Optional
Standard ✓	Heated front seats	Optional
Standard ✓	Adaptive cruise control	Optional
12 months / 12,000 miles	Included maintenance	None
17 inches standard, options up to 19 inches ✓	Wheels	16 inches standard, options up to 18 inches

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Since the Chevy-Ford rivalry is nearly as old as the automobile itself, comparing the Equinox to the Escape is inevitable. Once again, both vehicles come with 1.5-liter turbocharged engines and front-wheel drive, and the price is so similar that it's nearly identical. The Escape does come with a standard digital gauge cluster, but it's smaller and not quite as easy to read as the one in the Equinox. The infotainment touchscreens follow suit, with the advantage again going to the Equinox. It should be acknowledged that, while many competitors make you upgrade to a higher trim to get the equipment you want, Ford lets you pick options either a la carte or as part of a package, which is much better. Of course, it's not better than just getting them standard, which is where the Equinox has a serious advantage. And just to round it out, Chevrolet does an outstanding job with the option list, too.

Since the Escape doesn't have a very big infotainment screen, it makes sense that integrated navigation isn't standard, and neither is real-time weather - both areas where the Equinox has a clear advantage. All of the heated components that you want for winter come standard on the Equinox, but you'll have to shell out extra for them in an Escape. Not many vehicles in this segment come with standard adaptive cruise control, so it's not unusual that it isn't standard on the Escape, but it is one more area where the Equinox is exemplary. Lastly, your first year of routine maintenance is included in the price of an Equinox, but no routine maintenance is included with the Escape.

*MSRP excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees and optional equipment. See dealer for details.