Suv showdown: toyota highlander vs chevy equinox – which reigns supreme?

The Toyota Highlander and Chevy Equinox are two of the most popular midsize SUVs on the market. They offer a combination of space, comfort, and features that make them appealing to families and individuals alike. But which one is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll compare the Toyota Highlander vs. Chevy Equinox in terms of performance, fuel efficiency, interior, safety, and price to help you make an informed decision.

Performance

The Toyota Highlander is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 295 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. The Chevy Equinox, on the other hand, offers a choice of two engines: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, or a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 252 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of performance, the Toyota Highlander has a clear advantage over the Chevy Equinox. The Highlander’s V6 engine provides more power and torque, which makes it better for towing and hauling. The Equinox’s turbocharged four-cylinder engines are more fuel-efficient, but they don’t offer the same level of performance.

Fuel Efficiency

The Toyota Highlander gets an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive. The Chevy Equinox gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the Chevy Equinox has a slight advantage over the Toyota Highlander. However, the difference in fuel economy is not significant enough to be a major factor in your decision-making process.

Interior

The Toyota Highlander and Chevy Equinox offer spacious and comfortable interiors. The Highlander has a slightly larger interior than the Equinox, with more headroom and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The Highlander also offers more cargo space than the Equinox, with 16.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row of seats compared to 12.9 cubic feet in the Equinox.

In terms of interior features, the Toyota Highlander and Chevy Equinox offer a similar range of options. Both SUVs come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Highlander offers a few more premium features than the Equinox, such as a panoramic sunroof and heated and ventilated seats.

Safety

The Toyota Highlander and Chevy Equinox have both received excellent safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Highlander received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. The Equinox received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.

In terms of safety features, the Toyota Highlander and Chevy Equinox offer a similar range of options. Both SUVs come standard with a suite of airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. The Highlander offers a few more advanced safety features than the Equinox, such as blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning.

Price

The Toyota Highlander has a starting price of $36,420. The Chevy Equinox has a starting price of $25,800.

In terms of price, the Chevy Equinox is the more affordable option. However, the Highlander offers more features and a higher level of performance than the Equinox.

Which One is Right for You?

The Toyota Highlander and Chevy Equinox are both excellent midsize SUVs. The Highlander offers more power, space, and features than the Equinox, but it also has a higher starting price. The Equinox is more fuel-efficient and affordable than the Highlander, but it doesn’t offer the same level of performance or features.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which SUV is right for you is to test drive both of them. This will give you a chance to experience the differences between the two SUVs firsthand and make an informed decision based on your individual needs and preferences.

Beyond the Basics: Additional Considerations

In addition to the key factors we’ve discussed so far, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind when choosing between the Toyota Highlander and Chevy Equinox:

• Reliability: The Toyota Highlander has a reputation for being more reliable than the Chevy Equinox.
• Resale value: The Toyota Highlander typically holds its value better than the Chevy Equinox.
• Availability: The Toyota Highlander is more popular than the Chevy Equinox, so it may be more difficult to find one in stock.

Takeaways

The Toyota Highlander and Chevy Equinox are both excellent midsize SUVs. The Highlander offers more power, space, and features than the Equinox, but it also has a higher starting price. The Equinox is more fuel-efficient and affordable than the Highlander, but it doesn’t offer the same level of performance or features.

Ultimately, the best way to decide which SUV is right for you is to test drive both of them. This will give you a chance to experience the differences between the two SUVs firsthand and make an informed decision based on your individual needs and preferences.

Quick Answers to Your FAQs

Q: Which SUV has more horsepower?
A: The Toyota Highlander has 295 horsepower, while the Chevy Equinox has 170 horsepower or 252 horsepower, depending on the engine option.

Q: Which SUV gets better gas mileage?
A: The Chevy Equinox gets better gas mileage than the Toyota Highlander, with an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway compared to 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for the Highlander.

Q: Which SUV has more cargo space?
A: The Toyota Highlander has more cargo space than the Chevy Equinox, with 16.1 cubic feet of space behind the third row of seats compared to 12.9 cubic feet in the Equinox.