The crossover market is booming. Every car manufacturer has at least one, if not multiple, crossover SUVs in their lineup. Some have been an instant hit with consumers, while others still have room for improvement. Chevy has stood out in the SUV market for decades by producing rugged and reliable vehicles equipped with a variety of innovative comfort and safety tech. One of the fan-favorite SUVs that has stood the test of time is the Chevy Equinox, which has been a standout model since its debut in 2005. Over its almost twenty-year history, it has continued to evolve with the times, keeping it one step ahead of its competitors. But with the ever-expanding SUV market, is the Equinox still on top? One such rival, the Nissan Rogue, has offered fierce competition since it was unleashed on the crossover market in 2007. Let’s take a closer look at their newest models, the 2023 Chevy Equinox vs 2023 Nissan Rogue, and see exactly how they size up against each other.
A Look at the 2023 Nissan Rogue
The 2023 Nissan Rogue is an exceptional vehicle. It takes some of the more popular points of various Nissan models and puts them into one crossover SUV. The Rogue relies heavily on its styling while also offering the ruggedness of a well-experienced all-wheel drive vehicle. Nissan does a fine job of engineering vehicles that provide this balance. The focus on wilderness terrain is evident in its features. Its 1.5L turbocharged engine offers 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque while getting 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. On the inside, the Rogue offers three digital screens that can be configured to give the driver the information needed at any moment. Comfortable seating and ample cargo space round out the Rogue’s practical capabilities. Higher-end trims offer leather upholstery and fine detailing as well.
The Equinox Difference
There’s something to be said for an SUV that isn’t a conglomeration of popular features from other models in a brand’s lineup but is instead a vehicle of its own. The 2023 Equinox is not obnoxious moving down the road; instead, it moves with stylish and sporty grace. A small SUV in name only, it offers loads of interior space; 63.9 cu.ft. to be exact. But it is not the only small SUV crossover on the road. So what sets the Equinox apart from its competitors, including the Nissan Rogue?
The differences between the Equinox and Rogue are immediately noticeable. The rugged, sporty look of the Rogue is nearly opposite the sleek, luxurious styling of the Equinox. That is, of course, purposeful. Nissan’s entire lineup of vehicles favors a rugged look and mentality. Chevy is no stranger to rugged work and adventure, and the Equinox is capable of both, but Chevy’s SUV lineup has always erred on the more luxurious side when styling comes into play. The Equinox is Chevy’s most popular SUV, so marrying an adventurous soul with a luxurious ride means Chevy is checking every box for their demanding consumer base.
The interior of these two cars is where they both shine in differing ways. Nissan’s highly lauded zero gravity seats boost the Rogue, but overall the Equinox’s comfortable, spacious seating and interior room move the Equinox past the Rogue in long-term comfort and enjoyment. A center touchscreen for infotainment and stylish controls throughout, along with a much smoother ride, establish an immediate edge over the Rogue. Safety features between the two vehicles are similar to each other. Both offer helpful tools like lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, with the Equinox adding a few innovative features like a rear seat reminder and Chevy’s Teen Driver technology.
The Equinox Offers an Edge Over the Rogue
Overall, the Equinox is made for the driver who doesn’t want to sacrifice; the driver who knows that looks of ruggedness doesn’t mean that you’re the most rugged on the market. The 2023 Equinox caters to the driver that wants to go anywhere but doesn’t want to leave the comfort and luxury of a smooth, seamless ride behind them on that drive. Differing trims on the 2023 Equinox allow the consumer to be a bit more aggressive with its look; 19-inch Dark Android-painted aluminum wheels, a black bowtie emblem and badging, and a gloss black mesh grille and Black Ice surround adorn one of the available 2023 Equinox trims, making for a fierce, somewhat intimidating presence on the roads and trails.
Indeed, the 2023 Equinox offers many options for discerning drivers. This compact SUV can be tailored to your exact needs. A college student needing reliable transportation to get them to and from school no matter the weather? Absolutely. And fit everything they need it to, including friends? Yes, the Equinox can do that. Get the family safely to Grandma’s in the woods? Yes, it can do that too. Impress on a first date to the city’s swankiest joint? Oh yes, it can definitely do that! Help to feed your adventurous spirit by taking you into the wilderness? Yup, that too. All of these things and more in one crossover SUV? Exactly, that is the 2023 Chevy Equinox.
The Chevy Equinox has made a business of stacking up against other small SUV crossovers very well. It is no wonder that the sales of the Equinox have always remained steady. It truly is one of the most versatile SUVs on the market. That first 2005 Equinox replaced two beloved Chevy products, the S10 Blazer and the Tracker, so it had a steep hill to climb with consumers suddenly without their favorite models on the lot. But the Equinox did what it has done for many years since; it wowed and won them over. The 2022 model year saw a refresh of the beloved SUV, something that the new 2023 Equinox builds upon. Chevy made it sleeker but no less rugged. The Equinox is also in on the EV game, with an all-electric version of the Equinox set to make its debut in the Fall of 2023
The Equinox Stands on Its Own
When comparing the 2023 Chevy Equinox and the 2023 Nissan Rogue, or any other small SUV or crossover, it is important to remember that many of these vehicles are trying too hard to fit a mold that doesn’t work. Car makers try to take a popular model and shrink it down or combine two or three popular models and condense it into a crossover-size package. The Equinox is none of that. Chevy has taken what makes it a dominant, popular brand, the legacy of hard work and ruggedness, and combined it with Chevy’s firmly established ability to innovate and create driver-friendly comfort and safety tech.
It encompasses exactly what every Chevy consumer and beyond has come to expect from the brand; quality, toughness, style, design, and luxury. This SUV will get you to where you want to go and do it with style all its own. It doesn’t compare to other small SUVs because it has made an effort to stand out among its rivals. It’s not trying to be anything; it just is what it is; a stand-alone design that embodies everything the iconic American automobile manufacturer has come to be known for and then some. If you’re ready to take your commute to the next level with a reliable compact SUV, consider the 2023 Chevy Equinox.
