Toyota Highlander Vs Chevy Equinox: Which Suv Offers The Best Bang For Your Buck?

In the realm of family-friendly SUVs, the Toyota Highlander and the Chevy Equinox stand out as two of the most popular options. Both vehicles offer a spacious interior, plenty of features, and a comfortable ride. But which one is the better choice?

To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compared the Toyota Highlander and the Chevy Equinox in several key areas. We’ll look at their performance, fuel efficiency, safety features, and more. By the end of this comparison, you’ll know which SUV is the best fit for your needs.

Performance

The Toyota Highlander offers two engine options: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 185 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. The Chevy Equinox, on the other hand, is powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of acceleration, the Highlander with the V6 engine is the clear winner. It can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds, compared to 9.0 seconds for the Equinox. However, the Equinox has a slightly better top speed of 124 mph, compared to 115 mph for the Highlander.

Fuel Efficiency

When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Chevy Equinox takes the lead. The Equinox gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. The Highlander, on the other hand, gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

Safety Features

Both the Toyota Highlander and the Chevy Equinox offer a variety of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. However, the Highlander has a few more standard safety features than the Equinox, including a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning.

Interior Space and Comfort

The Toyota Highlander is the larger of the two SUVs, with a seating capacity of eight passengers. The Chevy Equinox, on the other hand, can seat up to five passengers. Both SUVs offer plenty of headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats.

In terms of comfort, the Highlander has a slight edge over the Equinox. The Highlander’s seats are more supportive and offer more adjustability. The Highlander also has a quieter cabin, which makes it more relaxing to drive.

Cargo Space

The Toyota Highlander offers more cargo space than the Chevy Equinox. The Highlander has 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats, 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats, and 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with both rows of seats folded down. The Equinox, on the other hand, has 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats and 63.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row of seats folded down.

Price

The Toyota Highlander is slightly more expensive than the Chevy Equinox. The Highlander starts at $34,620, while the Equinox starts at $25,800. However, the Highlander comes with more standard features than the Equinox, so it’s important to compare the two SUVs carefully before making a decision.

The Verdict

So, which SUV is the better choice? The Toyota Highlander and the Chevy Equinox are both great SUVs, but they offer different things. The Highlander is the larger of the two SUVs, and it offers more standard safety features and cargo space. The Equinox, on the other hand, is more fuel-efficient and has a lower starting price.

Ultimately, the best SUV for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you need a spacious SUV with plenty of safety features, the Toyota Highlander is the better choice. If you’re looking for a more fuel-efficient SUV with a lower starting price, the Chevy Equinox is the better choice.

A Conclusion

The Toyota Highlander and the Chevy Equinox are both excellent SUVs, but they offer different things. The Highlander is the larger of the two SUVs, and it offers more standard safety features and cargo space. The Equinox, on the other hand, is more fuel-efficient and has a lower starting price.

Ultimately, the best SUV for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you need a spacious SUV with plenty of safety features, the Toyota Highlander is the better choice. If you’re looking for a more fuel-efficient SUV with a lower starting price, the Chevy Equinox is the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which SUV has more cargo space, the Toyota Highlander or the Chevy Equinox?

A: The Toyota Highlander has more cargo space than the Chevy Equinox. The Highlander has 16.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row of seats, 48.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats, and 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with both rows of seats folded down. The Equinox, on the other hand, has 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats and 63.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row of seats folded down.

Q: Which SUV is more fuel-efficient, the Toyota Highlander or the Chevy Equinox?

A: The Chevy Equinox is more fuel-efficient than the Toyota Highlander. The Equinox gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. The Highlander, on the other hand, gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

Q: Which SUV has more standard safety features, the Toyota Highlander or the Chevy Equinox?

A: The Toyota Highlander has more standard safety features than the Chevy Equinox. The Highlander comes standard with a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. The Equinox, on the other hand, only comes standard with a rearview camera.