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| 5 Stars | NHTSA Overall Safety Rating | 4 Stars |
| 26 / 32 | MPG | 26 / 33 |
| 203 lb-ft | Torque | 175 lb-ft |
Shopping for a family-friendly compact SUV usually leaves people stuck debating between two SUVs: the 2018 Chevy Equinox vs. 2018 Nissan Rogue. While both are fantastic vehicles, it is always a good idea to compare their metrics to be sure you choose the right SUV for your family’s needs.
Nothing is more important than staying safe on the road, which is why it’s critically important to check out how each vehicle has been rated by the leading government agencies and to see what, if any, advanced safety features are offered on each SUV.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is one of the safest cars in the compact SUV class, earning an overall safety rating of four out of five stars by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety agrees with the NHTSA that the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is a solid safety choice, bestowing the SUV with its top rating of Good across all six crash tests.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox does not come standard with impressive advanced safety features aside from it’s Teen Driver system. However, advanced safety features such as blind spot monitoring and rear parking sensors are available for the Equinox if you are willing to either pay for an elevated trim level or include one of the several package options.
The NHTSA gave the 2018 Nissan Rogue a four-star overall rating, which might make you think that the Rogue is somewhat unsafe. However, the IIHS found the 2018 Nissan Rogue to be so safe that it named it one of its Top Safety Picks! Certainly confusing, but ultimately, the 2018 Nissan Rogue should still make your list of safe SUVs to consider purchasing, especially as it offers a very impressive list of advanced safety features like automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning that come standard even on the base model.
Both the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2018 Nissan Rogue offer seating for up to five people. Both SUVs also offer two full sets of LATCH connectors for car seats. Of course, each SUV offers its own set of unique trim levels, allowing you to choose which level of luxury you want and need in your compact SUV.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is available in your choice of four trim levels, starting with the base level L trim and moving up through the LS, LT trims and finally the top-of-the-line Premier trim. However, despite your choice of options with the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox trims, be aware that even the base-model L is still very well-equipped and may offer all of the amenities that you actually desire in a compact SUV. For instance, the L comes standard with a seven-inch touchscreen display, a six-speaker sound system, 4G LTE internet, a WiFi hotspot, an infotainment system, AppleCarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port and a push-button start with proximity key entry. That’s certainly a well-appointed base model vehicle, especially one with a starting MSRP of just $23,580.
Of course, you can always upgrade to either the LS or the LT trims if you are interested in features including all-wheel drive, a leather-wrapped gear shift or satellite radio. Moving up to the LS or LT trims also opens you up to being able to add package options such as the Sun and Infotainment package, which will equip your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox with six USB ports, a panoramic sunroof, a 120-volt electrical outlet and an upgraded eight-inch touchscreen.
At the top of the trim lineup is the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Premier. Opt for the Premier trim if you want to drive a compact SUV that is loaded down with awesome amenities such as wireless charging, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a hands-free liftgate, a universal garage door opener, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and so much more. With a starting MSRP of $30,790, the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox Premier leaves very little to be desired… although if you do find yourself wanting to spice up your SUV even more, feel free to add one of the several package options available to Premier shoppers.
The 2018 Nissan Rogue is available in three trim levels, the S, SV, and the SL. The base-model S is well-equipped with amenities that rival the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox L, although the 2018 Nissan Rogue S does have a slightly higher starting price point with an MSRP of $24,800. However, the 2018 Rogue S does offer an outstanding list of advanced safety features that come standard on the base model, such as forward collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking, so that’s certainly worth keeping in mind.
The mid-tier 2018 Nissan Rogue SV offers nice convenience features such as a push-button start, a hands-free power liftgate, and heated front seats, but you’ll have to spring for the SV Su and Sound Touring package at $3,220 if you want access to a sunroof and an upgraded, nine-speaker Bose sound system.
Rounding out the trim levels for the 2018 Nissan Rogue is the SL, which starts at $31,180 and includes navigation, a 360-degree camera, a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery and HD Radio. The SL is also eligible for advanced package upgrades such as the SL Platinum package, which equips your vehicle with ProPILOT and an electronic parking brake.
Sure, you might not be in the market for a super-speedy, high-octane performance vehicle, but you do want to be sure that you have enough oomph to get you on the freeway at a speedy clip.
The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox offers drivers a choice of three engines – the base model engine is a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission that gets 170 horsepower. While the base model engine is certainly strong enough to merge into traffic easily, it may be worth considering the more powerful engine available for your 2018 Chevrolet Equinox – the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder option will increase your speed by boosting your available horsepower to 252. Of course, if you’re looking for a fuel-efficient option, you can always choose the 1.6 turbodiesel engine option. With only 160 hp backing it, you’ll lose some power, but you’ll gain at the gas pump.
However, before you opt for the greener, less speedy option, be aware that the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox offers drivers good fuel economy, especially for the compact SUV class. That base model 1.5-liter four-cylinder that didn’t seem so super-speedy? Well, it gets 26 miles to the gallon when your driving around the city, and 32 mpg when you’re cruising on the highway – which means fewer pitstops for the kids as well as fewer dollars leaving your pocket. Still considering the 2.0-liter engine? You’ll lose a little bit of fuel along the way, but not by much with the EPA estimating 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Oh – and that fuel-efficient diesel option certainly does live up to its promise, getting 28 mpg in the city and an impressive 39 mpg on the highway.
Powered by a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine that produces the same 170 horsepower as the base model 2018 Chevrolet Equinox, the 2018 Nissan Rogue does not offer any other choice in engine. It also essentially matches the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in fuel economy estimates with 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The drawback to the 2018 Nissan Rogue isn’t that it lacks a good base-model engine, it’s simply that it doesn’t give buyers the choice of upgraded to a stronger performance-based engine if they so desire.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.