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| 175 | Horsepower (hp) | 201 |
| 203 | Torque (lb-ft) | 225 |
| 26/31 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy mpg) | 30/37 |
For many of us, joy rarely enters our minds during our daily commute. In truth, automakers are working on that sticking point, infusing smart details and fun technology into each new model year’s vehicle. Of course, there are different ways driving can be fun, from the size of the vehicle to its performance on the road. Just as the compact hatchbacks of the 1970s and 1980s changed the way we thought about driving at the time, small SUVs like the Chevy Equinox and the Nissan Rogue are designed to change the way we think about driving, one zippy commute at a time.
The term “small SUV” might sound like an oxymoron, but it’s one of the fastest-growing segments among SUV manufacturers. These vehicles are not too big, not too low, and powerful enough to make merging onto the freeway a safe and comfortable occurrence. They also include more cargo room than your standard sedan without requiring an entire flight crew to help you parallel park on a busy city street. Let's take a look at two current standout compact models on the market today, the 2023 Chevy Equinox vs 2023 Nissan Rogue, to see which one offers the most for your daily commutes and weekend excursions.
The starting point for many car shoppers is the engine, and the 2023 Equinox and Rogue are fairly equally matched in power and performance. Surprisingly, both models offer almost identical engines but with slight performance differences.
The Equinox is equipped with a 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine that’s good for 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission with driver shift control that provides the Equinox with a reliable, peppy attitude as it cruises through the streets. It also offers an impressive fuel economy of 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive while slightly lower in all-wheel drive.
The Nissan Rogue is similarly equipped with a 1.5L VC-Turbo engine with three cylinders and a continuously variable transmission that provides slightly more power, producing 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. VC-Turbo is a newer technology that allows drivers to conserve more fuel by changing the compression ratio. In other words, as long as your foot isn’t on the gas pedal, you can save more fuel. Fuel economy offers an impressive 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive. Available intelligent all-wheel drive is offered on the Rogue, which uses sensors to determine when extra torque is needed instead of allowing drivers to switch it on and off. With similar engines, it’s likely that the minimal difference in horsepower and torque wouldn’t be noticed. While this performance category is a near-tie for both models, the Equinox excels in other areas, as we'll soon see.
Small SUVs are an ideal market for safety and driver assistance features. The target demographic for these vehicles is typically younger and older drivers, those with small families, and folks who enjoy the convenience of driving their own vehicle, but don’t need one with massive capabilities. Thankfully, Chevy and Nissan have catered to their target audience with a reasonable set of innovative standard safety features.
Each 2023 Equinox comes with Chevy’s Safety Assist suite of driver assistance technology as a standard feature. This includes forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, a following distance indicator, front pedestrian braking, as well as a rear vision camera and lane keep assist with lane departure warning. Drivers who select the LT or RS trims can opt for the new Safety and Infotainment package, which adds a 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen system with navigation, and a heated steering wheel, which is a curious yet appreciated installment in the safety department.
Nissan seems to be rebranding their standard driver assistance technology, which is making things a bit confusing for the new model year. Previously, the Safety Shield 360 package included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, and high beam assist. Nissan’s press makes shockingly little mention of standard safety equipment, but a deep dive into each trim reveals that all include the same standard safety tools previously mentioned. Higher trims include Nissan’s ProPilot Assist system, and the Platinum trim adds navigation capability. Intelligent lane intervention, intelligent around view monitor, sonar systems, and intelligent driver awareness is only offered at the top.
The 2023 Rogue’s safety equipment seems to be the same as or very similar to the previous Safety Shield 360 package, though the semi-autonomous “Intelligent” branding isn’t present on all features on all trims, so you may wish to double-check the fine print when considering a Nissan Rogue, so you know what to expect. For those looking for a solid set of safety and driver assistance features that are standard on all trims, the Chevy Equinox will be the best option to get the confidence and protection you want on the road.
It takes a strong person to admit this when in the throes of car shopping, but most drivers actually want an SUV with all the bells and whistles. Performance and safety are always the most important aspects when choosing the right vehicle, but comfort and entertainment are usually the more specific features that seal the deal for many car shoppers.
The 2023 Equinox is offered in four trims, which are the LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with each ascending trim offering an increasing number of innovative tech to make each drive enjoyable, no matter how long the commute is. The LS includes many helpful standard features, including heated exterior mirrors, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a 7-inch touchscreen display equipped with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus system, with the display increasing to 8 inches on higher-end trims.
Perhaps what sets the Equinox apart from the Rogue the most is the available infotainment packages on the higher-end trims that take entertainment and comfort to the next level. For the Infotainment 1 package, drivers get an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, along with two USB ports in the front and two in the back, and an SD card reader and auxiliary input jack. To top it off, the package also comes with a heated steering wheel for those cold winter mornings. The Infotainment II package is for the audiophiles, with an 8-inch touchscreen with connected navigation and a Bose premium 7-speaker system.
The 2023 Rogue also comes in four versions: the S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Lower trims such as the S and SV come equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen display, while higher-end models like the Platinum offer a 9-inch display. Each comes equipped with NissanConnect and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, so you can listen to your favorite playlists and podcasts wherever your travels take you. As you go up the trim lineup, more amenities become available such as the Alexa Built-In feature, wireless charging, and a W-Fi hotspot. An available head-up display will allow you to get the vehicle information you need, like speed and directions, without taking your eyes off the road, while the available tri-zone automatic temperature will ensure that all on board are comfortable, no matter where they're sitting.
The 2023 Chevy Equinox and 2023 Nissan Rogue represent the latest in respected models from reliable brands. For many critics, there are probably many ways in which each vehicle could be altered to meet their ideals, but the final word belongs to the drivers who share their opinions with their hard-earned cash. The 2023 Equinox has a lot going for it that will make a lot of drivers happy. Furthermore, being a Chevrolet, it’s quite simple to select a package or two to help customize any trim into your ideal vehicle. The 2023 Rogue isn’t a bad vehicle by any measurement, but there are a few areas where it falls short compared to the Equinox.
We pride ourselves on our sales experience here at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford. No pressure tactics, a stress-free look through our vehicles, expert staff ready to help, and top-of-the-line inventory are benchmarks of that experience. In fact, the Equinox is a perfect allegory to our brand. We have an extensive selection of Chevrolet vehicles, including a great selection of used vehicles, with many of them being Certified Pre-Owned to give you even more peace of mind with your used vehicle purchase from Rick Hendrick.
Our amazing team is there for you every step of the way. We know that choosing a new car is one of the most important decisions you can make. When you pick a car, you’re not just picking out a machine; you’re choosing something that you’re going to entrust the safety of your family and friends with, something that will become a part of who you are and part of your identity. You’re investing in your future. And we take our role in that choice very seriously! Stop in today, and wander through our lineup of brand-new Chevy models, including the 2023 Equinox. Take a few for a spin, get a feel for what you want and need, and then work with us to make those wants and needs a reality!
*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.