In the field of small SUVs, you can’t really go wrong with either the Chevy Equinox or the Nissan Rogue. These are two excellent vehicles that offer a lot and have plenty of upgrades and options available so you can make either one truly your own. With that in mind, however, there could still be certain aspects of either of them that set each apart and make it a worthier choice for any car-buyer. And so, let the battle begin: the 2019 Chevy Equinox vs. the 2019 Nissan Rogue!
Full disclosure: I really have no horse in this race. I don’t have an Equinox or Rogue, nor do I know anyone with one. I don’t have any particularly strong attachment to Chevy or Nissan, either, so my interests here are purely intellectual. I want to look at what both of these rides have to offer: weigh them, judge them, and see who really comes out on top. All of this information comes straight from the manufacturer websites and brochures… so if any of it is wrong, then blame them, not me (never blame me!).
Engine Head-to-Head
Here’s the warm-up round to see how these two SUVs initially square off. The power and performance of the engine in a small SUV might not be quite as important as in something like a heavy-duty pickup or a sporty muscle car, but it still matters. With that in mind, we’ll start here and see what the Chevy Equinox and Nissan Rogue have to offer. To keep things fair, we’ll compare the starting engines for both vehicles as well as the high-end option that is available.
The standard engine in the 2019 Chevy Equinox is a 1.5L Turbo 4-cylinder engine that provides up to 170hp and 203 lb.-ft. of torque. Those numbers wouldn’t be amazing in something like a sports car or full-size pickup, but they should do the job in the mid-size Equinox. By comparison, the 2019 Nissan Rogue comes with a 2.5L 16-valve 4-cylinder engine that provides up to 170hp and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s pretty close to what the Equinox has, with just a bit less torque but the exact same horsepower. So far, pretty close.
Here’s where things get tricky. The 2019 Chevy Equinox has an available 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine that provides up to 252hp and 260 lb.-ft. of torque for really impressive overall performance. By contrast, if you want more power, then the Nissan Rogue has a… well… nothing. There is only one standard engine available for the Rogue, the 2.5L 4-cylinder that provides 170hp and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. So if you want the most power possible in your small SUV, then the Equinox is the clear winner.
Now, that being said, there is another engine available for the 2019 Nissan Rogue, but it is a hybrid with an electric motor. You don’t get amazing power from it, as it only offers up to 141hp and 144 lb.-ft. of torque – but it’s a hybrid model so you’re going to get better gas mileage and create less pollution with this beauty. There is no hybrid version of the Chevy Equinox available… so there’s no comparison to make, but I still wanted to mention this option.
Cargo Capacity and Passenger Room Battle
Even when looking at a compact SUV like the Equinox or Rogue, interior space and cargo room is still important. Most of us want an SUV because we have a lot of friends or family to lug around town or we want the space for loading up for a fun weekend away. So let’s have a look at what each of these rides has to offer in terms of space.
The 2019 Chevy Equinox has comfortable seating for five people and includes plenty of storage space. There is up to 63.9 cu. ft. of cargo room in the interior, and the seats fold down to make using that space simple. When properly equipped, the Equinox has a maximum towing rating of 3,500 lbs. so it’s a great option for pulling a small trailer behind you.
By comparison, the 2019 Nissan Rogue also has seating for five, which is no surprise, and a good deal of storage space. There is up to 70 cu. ft. of cargo space inside the Rogue, so it actually has more room for storing things than the Equinox, a solid win for the Rogue. However, it’s worth noting that even when properly equipped, the Nissan Rogue’s maximum towing capacity is just 1,102 pounds – not even a third of what the Equinox can haul. So you get a bit more room inside, but much less towing power.
Interior Features on the Chopping Block
It’s 2019 and we’re not animals, so we want comfort and sophistication in our SUVs, even compact SUVs. These are some of the interior features available in each of these rides. Note that these are not standard for every trim level or model, but represent a selection of some of the best features of each SUV.
The 2019 Chevy Equinox has an available 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth support for up to two devices, voice recognition, and support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a 6-speaker audio system with active noise cancellation, as well as a wireless charging pad available. You can get a 4-inch driver information display, heated seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
The 2019 Nissan Rogue has an available 7-inch touchscreen display that includes support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. There’s an available 9-speaker Bose premium sound system, a win for the Rogue, and speed sensitive volume controls. You can get an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and heated seats are available.
Safety Fisticuffs
Available safety features for the 2019 Chevy Equinox and Nissan Rogue are both quite impressive. The Equinox features numerous airbags, LED daytime running lamps, and StabiliTrak with stability and traction control. Available features include rear park assist, an HD rear vision camera, and lane change alert with side blind zone alert. There is also a rear cross traffic alert available and rear-seat reminder to make sure no one gets left behind.
The 2019 Nissan Rogue includes a number of airbags along with vehicle dynamic control and traction control. There’s an automatic emergency braking system with pedestrian detection and rear automatic braking. You also get a blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and intelligent lane intervention to keep you safe while in traffic. There is no rear-seat reminder available with the Rogue, but otherwise, it has an impressive suite of safety features.
The Takeaway
So, when all is said and done, is there a clear and decisive winner between the 2019 Chevy Equinox and the 2019 Nissan Rogue? Not really, no. It’s all going to come down to what you’re looking for and where your priorities are. If you want a compact hybrid SUV and these are your two choices, then the Rogue is a clear winner because it’s the only hybrid option of the two. On the other hand, if you want a more powerful engine and greater towing capacity for your small SUV, then the Equinox is clearly the victor in this battle. In other words: everyone wins with these two SUVs, but it just depends on what you need.
