Buying an SUV is like being a boss and interviewing possible employees. Just like an employee you want your SUV to be reliable, flexible, hardworking, and always ready to make a good representation. So, to get the right answers to determine these elements, you need to ask the right questions. With the 2018 Chevy Equinox vs. 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport as our prospective employees, it’s time to start the interview process to see who gets the job.
How Would You Describe Your Style?
Both would consider themselves compact SUVs that are convenient to drive, but 2018 Chevy Equinox and the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport each has their own unique style.
The 2018 Chevy Equinox is 183 inches in length 73 inches in width and 65 inches in height. Fitting up to five adult passengers comfortable, the 2018 Equinox is a downright refined and charmingly crafted vehicle that shines in every setting. Whether your goal is to get the kids the school or meet an important client the 2018 Equinox will never look out of place, in fact, it is going to make you look stunning and completely put-together.
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is not much bigger at 185 inches in length 74 inches in width and 66 inches in height, and it too can fit five adult passengers. Now, whereas the Equinox is boldly refined the 2018 Santa Fe Sport is sharp and as athletic as the namesake suggests. Although its design is unique, and it cleans up well enough to turn a few heads, it certainly doesn’t have the same overall visual appeal as the Equinox.
What’s Your Work Ethic Like?
The 2018 Chevy Equinox offers two turbocharged four-cylinder gas engines. The base engine is a 1.5-liter model that produces 170 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, with an optional 2.0-liter model with 252 hp and 260 lb-ft. Finally, a unique offering for this class of vehicle is the 1.6-liter turbodiesel that produces 136 hp and 236 lb-ft. The 1.5L and 1.6L engines pair well with a six-speed automatic transmission while the 2.0L gets a fantastic nine-speed automatic transmission. You can get any engine in either standard front-wheel drive or for about $3,000 more the versatile all-wheel drive. This driven SUV can even tow an impressive 1,500 to 3,500 lbs.
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport base engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine which produces 185 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. The optional engine is 2.0-liter turbo-four engine offers an impressive 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Both are available in all-wheel drive for smoother handling if you don’t enjoy the FWD and the extra few thousand isn’t an issue. All models come with a six-speed automatic transmission. This model can also tow 1,650 lbs.
Where Do You See Yourself In 10 Years?
When it comes to longevity for these two SUVs, the 2018 Chevy Equinox has the clear advantage with its extremely impressive fuel efficiency. The 2018 Equinox offers up to 39 mpg highway, while the 2018 Santa Fe Sport only offers 27 mpg highway; so going with the 2018 Equinox will save you over 10 gallons to the mile and a whole lot of cash. Not only that, the 2018 Equinox will have a lower mileage rating allowing it to live healthy in its old age while the 2018 Santa Fe Sport will be struggling to get to the corner store as the miles start adding up.
Would You Say You Are Flexible?
The 2018 Chevy Equinox offers four primary trim levels that range from $23,580 to $37,300. The L is the basic trim which offers an impressive list of standard features that will make your driving experience perfectly enjoyable without spending a cent more. The LS trim adds just a few more things like floor mats and a toolkit, but it really isn’t much of an upgrade. The LT trim is where things get interesting again with adjustable lumbar seating, Sirius XM radio, and a few exterior features designed to appeal. Lastly, there is the Premier trim that will give you anything and everything you could ever want in a vehicle like automatic climate control, heated leather seating, and the best engine possible for as low as $33,000.
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport offers three trim options instead of four with starting prices ranging from $23,950 to $35,650. The trims include the Sport, Sport 2.0T, and Sport 2.0T Ultimate. The base trim is for those who aren’t looking for too much luxury and just need those bare necessities to get them through their daily commute. The Sport 2.0T upgrades the engine and increases the price by $6,000 because of it. The Sport 2.0T Ultimate adds in luxury features you know and loves to finally rise the 2018 Santa Fe Sport to its full potential.
2018 Chevy Equinox vs. 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport – Who Gets The Job?
The 2018 Chevy Equinox is just the perfectly well-rounded employee that can fill any position in your life with its elegant yet fierce styling, powerful engine, flexible utility, impressive fuel economy, and multiple trim options. Overall it really embodies the idea of a compact SUV in every way, shape, and form. The technology, safety, and convenience features available not only reach expectations but totally blow them out of the water. It really just has everything you could ever need in a conveniently compact SUV.
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is nothing to mock, but it just doesn’t hit the same level of balanced performance that the 2018 Chevy Equinox has. Its one advantage is that it is a bit bigger, but those looking in the compact SUV category shouldn’t find that to be a real advantage anyway. The fuel economy is also a big flaw that is tough to overlook. The 2018 Santa Fe Sport may just have gotten the job if there were two spots, but sadly with only one position to fill, the 2018 Equinox just has what it takes.
