There are many great SUVs out there, and when looking for your next vehicle, it can often be difficult to narrow down which make and model you should go with. There are a lot of brands out there that are known for providing reliable vehicles, so narrowing down which ones you should consider can be an arduous process. There are a lot of trusted automotive brands out there, but when it comes to iconic vehicle brands, few are as well-known as Chevy and Toyota. Especially when it comes to SUVs, both of these brands have a lot to offer drivers looking to hit the open road with family and friends to seek adventure.
Two particular competitors worth examining are the 2023 Chevy Equinox vs 2023 Toyota RAV4, two excellent SUVs from both the Chevy and Toyota brands that offer drivers of all different walks of life the ability to seek excitement and take on day-to-day activities. But which of these SUVs is the best choice? Both have a lot to offer regarding under-the-hood power, technology, safety, and comfort, so taking a closer look at the different aspects of these two vehicles is crucial to making an informed decision.
A Closer Look at Performance
To start, an SUV is only as good as the powertrain it runs on. For those looking to get out there and see what the world has in store with their new SUV, a vehicle with plenty of power under the hood is an absolute necessity. Luckily, both vehicles have plenty in store for drivers on that front. The Chevy Equinox runs on a 1.5-liter Turbo 4-cylinder engine that produces up to 175 hp, making its standard performance highly competitive. The Equinox’s standard engine functions in tandem with a 6-speed transmission, making it a highly maneuverable vehicle. Beyond its standard engine, the Equinox offers no additional engine options.
The Toyota RAV4 certainly doesn’t skimp on power either, with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 203 hp, making it a fantastic vehicle for outdoor adventure in terms of raw power alone. The RAV4 is also fitted with an 8-speed transmission, making this SUV incredibly effective for gear shifting and remaining nimble no matter what may come your way. When looking at the two models side by side, they are both highly powerful vehicles, with the Toyota RAV4 offering a slight edge over the Chevy Equinox; however, it is not by much.
Both Offer a Variety of Comfort Features
Of course, being designed for families and larger groups, an SUV is only as good as its ability to provide all on board with a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience. Both the Equinox and the RAV4 are built from the ground up with this in mind, making each of them formidable competitors against one another.
The Chevy Equinox seats up to five passengers at a time, coming standard with perforated leather seats that heighten comfort for all who are joining you for the adventure. Various available comfort features, such as a heated steering wheel and heated seating, can also be added, making driving easier on those cold winter mornings. Other features that can be added include Bose 7-speaker sound system and adaptive cruise control, making every ride comfortable and enjoyable.
On the Toyota RAV4 model’s part, plenty of features make it great for families. With seating for up to five, the RAV4 model’s standard cloth seating is comfortable and cozy. The RAV4 also has eight cup holders throughout the vehicle, a feature that those driving with families will surely appreciate. Additional comfort options include heated front seats and LED front seat reading lights so that you can make the most of every journey. Both the Chevy Equinox and the Toyota RAV4 have lots to offer in terms of comfort, but when looking at the facts, there’s a strong argument to be made that the Chevy Equinox comes out on top when it comes to comfort and convenience, providing various advanced features that kick the vehicle’s luxury up a notch.
Each Has Their Own Unique Set of Standard Safety Features
When looking for the right vehicle for you and your family, perhaps the most important aspect to consider is what it can offer you in the way of safety. Especially when driving with a family, it is important to consider every safety feature the vehicle offers thoroughly to choose the model that suits your family’s needs to the highest degree.
The Chevy Equinox comes standard with a vast array of safety features, courtesy of the Chevy Safety Assist suite, making it a fantastic vehicle for families everywhere. Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning helps to keep tabs on your surroundings at all times, ensuring that you stay the course wherever you may be going. Other features include Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Automatic Emergency Braking, reducing the possibility of potential accidents by a large margin.
The Toyota RAV4 comes standard with its own various safety features via the Toyota Safety Sense suite that keeps drivers informed and safe, such as a Blind Spot Monitor, a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Road Sign Assist. The RAV4 also features an anti-theft system that immobilizes the vehicle’s engine in an attempted theft, so you’ll never have to worry about someone stealing your car.
On the front of safety, both vehicles have plenty to offer drivers, offering lots of features that can keep families safe. Both vehicles have something up their sleeve in this department, with the RAV4 featuring an anti-theft system that sets it apart from other SUVs. However, the Chevy Equinox does offer more innovative technology that helps drivers stay aware, alert, focused, and safe throughout every moment of their journey, making it superior in terms of safety.
So Which SUV Comes Out on Top?
So, which of these vehicles is better for drivers overall? Well, both the Chevy Equinox and Toyota RAV4 are highly competitive SUVs that can offer drivers a lot in terms of performance, comfort, and innovation. However, when looking at the vehicles side by side, the Chevy Equinox does, on the whole, provide more advanced features across the board than the Toyota RAV4, making it a great option for both single drivers and those riding with families, whether they’re looking to use their SUV to seek excitement on the open road or need a vehicle that can help them take on daily life.
Of course, that’s not to say that the RAV4 is somehow inferior to the Chevy Equinox. Both of these vehicles are highly capable in their own right; it just comes down to what you’re looking to get out of it. As we saw when analyzing the performance capability of these two vehicles, the RAV4 does offer more standard under-the-hood power, making it a great companion for those looking to utilize their SUV for work or other situations in which they need greater power. However, for those looking to take on life with comfort, peace of mind, and convenience, the Chevy Equinox is exactly the SUV you need, offering the absolute best in innovation, safety, and utility.
