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Starting at
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| 203 | Max Torque (lb-ft) | 184 |
| 103.5 | Passenger Volume (cu.ft.) | 98.9 |
| Yes | Teen Driver Safety System | No |
If you are in the market for a small crossover SUV, then you have a lot of options available to you; figuring out which model will best meet your needs can be tough. With so many different vehicles to choose from, it often helps to narrow down your focus and just look at two models to see how they compare. For example, you can look at the 2021 Chevy Equinox vs 2021 Toyota RAV4 and see that while they are quite similar in numerous ways, there are also many areas in which the Chevy Equinox is the better option. And when you consider how much less expensive the Equinox is, it clearly represents a better overall value.
For example, both the Chevy Equinox and Toyota RAV4 have a single engine available, and while they are both similar, the Equinox offers superior torque. This makes for a more responsive driving experience with excellent acceleration, plus it ensures the Equinox has great towing capacity for a model of this size. Speaking of size, while these are both small SUVs with seating for up to five passengers, the Chevy Equinox gives you quite a lot more interior space for passengers, so you, your friends, and your family can all stay comfortable.
Inside these two SUVs you will find pretty similar options, with great Infotainment systems, excellent audio options, and more. But, again, with all of these similarities, it becomes all-the-more striking that the 2021 Chevy Equinox is priced substantially lower than the 2021 Toyota RAV4. This is true not only for their starting prices, but across their various trim levels, so no matter what you are interested in, the Equinox is generally more budget-friendly. Come visit us at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick today to find out more and we will help you find the perfect SUV for what you need.
No matter what kind of vehicle you are interested in, it is always important to consider the engines available and the kind of driving experience you will get from them. Even with something like a small crossover SUV, you still want to choose a model with a good engine that is fun to drive. Both the 2021 Chevy Equinox and the Toyota RAV4 have a single engine, which makes it quite easy to compare them and see how they stack up.
With the Chevy Equinox, you get a 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine that delivers up to 170hp and up to 203 lb.-ft. of torque. It features direct-injection and variable valve timing to help improve performance and overall efficiency, and it comes paired with a 6-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission and a MacPherson front suspension to give you a smooth and responsive ride. The engine has automatic stop/start to help boost your fuel efficiency even further; while it comes with front-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive is available for three out of the four trims.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 comes with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, which may sound more impressive since it has a larger displacement, but that is made up for by the fact that Chevy gives you a turbo engine. You can see this in the fact that Toyota’s engine delivers only up to 184 lb.-ft. of torque, while Chevy’s Turbo provides up to 203 lb.-ft. of torque for improved performance. This gives you better acceleration and it feels better going uphill or other times when you need more work from your vehicle. Only some RAV4 models come with stop/start functionality, and front-wheel drive is also standard with all-wheel drive available. Considering the higher cost of the RAV4, we would expect more power from it.
When you are looking at small crossover SUV models, interior space might not be your primary concern, as you are looking at more compact options. It should, however, be important to you since the smaller size means you want an option that really lets you take advantage of the space that is provided. Just because you want a small model does not mean you have to sacrifice the functionality and interior space of an SUV.
The 2021 Chevy Equinox and the Toyota RAV4 are similar in size, but the Equinox has some important differences in this area. They both offer seating for up to five passengers: two people up front with a second-row bench seat that can comfortably and safely seat three. There are some key differences in terms of dimensions, however: the Equinox measures 183 inches in length and has a wheelbase of 107 inches – this is the distance between the front and rear tires. By comparison, the RAV4 measures 180 inches in length and has about a 105-inch wheelbase.
That different might not seem like much, but it actually matters quite a lot in terms of overall passenger space inside. Even though five people can fit into either vehicle, the 2021 Chevy Equinox gives you more than 103 cu. ft. of total passenger volume inside, while the RAV4 offers about 98 cu. ft. of passenger volume. Picture a 5-foot by 5-foot cube of space and you will see that this is a significant difference and gives you and your passengers a lot more room to comfortably enjoy the ride inside the Chevy Equinox.
It is easy to get so focused on the engine, interior space, and other features that you overlook your options for interior comfort and ease-of-use. These kinds of things typically depend on the trim you are looking at and the kind of optional features you might want. To keep things simple, let us take a brief look at what you get inside the starting trims for these two models.
With the 2021 Chevy Equinox L, which is the starting trim, you get a 7-inch Infotainment display, support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 6-speaker audio system. It gives you active noise cancelation for a quieter and more enjoyable ride, with premium cloth seating and 4-way adjustable driver and front-passenger seats. You also get a deluxe steering wheel with mounted controls, a 3-inch driver information display, keyless open and start, and climate control to ensure everyone stays comfortable.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 LE features a 7-inch Infotainment display with a 6-speaker audio system. It has fabric seating, with a 4-way adjustable front passenger seat, much like the Chevy Equinox, and a standard steering wheel with mounted controls. It has single-zone climate control, a 4-inch driver display, and remote keyless entry. In a lot of ways, the interior features are pretty similar between these two models, yet the RAV4 starts at more than $2,000 more.
Although we are comparing these vehicles to see which one will best meet your needs, we are happy to say that both of these crossovers are quite safe. More safe vehicles on the road are always a good thing, and they both have a lot of great safety features standard. The fact that the Chevy Equinox can more than keep up with the RAV4 further emphasizes to us their difference in price.
Standard safety features on the 2021 Chevy Equinox include a comprehensive airbag system throughout the vehicle, along with StabiliTrack electronic stability and traction control. You also get automatic emergency braking, LED daytime running lamps, and a rear vision camera standard with the Equinox. A forward collision alert system, following distance indicator, and front pedestrian braking are also all standard on the Equinox, as is a lane keep assist system with a lane departure warning and a teen driver safety system. You can choose available options such as an HD rear vision camera and rear cross traffic alert.
The 2021 Toyota RAV4 has some good safety features including eight airbags and stability control. It has a lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and brake assist to help avoid collisions. A vehicle proximity notification system is not standard, nor is front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, though they are offered on higher trims. There is also no teen driver system, which makes the Chevy Equinox a better option if you have someone learning to drive. Considering the fact that the RAV4 starts at almost $2,400 more than the Equinox, the safety features of the Chevy model really come through.
As you can see, while the Toyota RAV4 has some fine features to offer, the 2021 Chevy Equinox simply gives you more in some key ways. And while they are surprisingly comparable in many regards, such as their towing capacities and passenger seating, the Equinox is able to rival the RAV4 across the board. All of this is made particularly noteworthy when you look at the prices of these two vehicles and see just how much more affordable the Equinox is. So if you are looking for a great small crossover model with plenty of interior space for passengers and fun, responsive performance at an unbeatable price, then the Chevy Equinox is the way to go.
Here at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick, we are proud to offer the 2021 Equinox and the rest of the Chevy lineup. Whether you know exactly what you are looking for, or you still have a lot of questions and would appreciate some guidance, we are here to help. Our friendly and experienced salespeople can work closely with you to make sure you drive away in exactly the right SUV with everything you need. Call or come visit us at Dan Cummins Chevrolet Buick today to experience the difference that choosing the right dealership makes.
*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.