There’s no denying that the vehicle shopping experience can be a challenging one. After all, the marketplace is flooded with a wide variety of makes and models, and choosing which one will suit your needs perfectly can sometimes be an arduous task. And when it comes to the family-oriented consumer, choosing a cost-effective method of transportation that’s affordable as much as it is reliable is essential. For this reason, many have turned to purchasing an SUV to facilitate these basic needs.
And among the different manufacturers that many turn to, Nissan and Chevy both have track records of producing capable vehicles that can be had for an affordable price. And today, we’ll be taking a close look at a vehicle from each brand in hopes of helping you choose which one might work better for you. Which one truly gives you more for your money? We’re about to find out; it’s the 2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Chevy Equinox in a contest of consumer capability.
Up-Front Costs
The first thing that anyone notices during the purchasing and selection process is the cost of the vehicle itself. Referred to as the MSRP, or starting price, this is the ballpark that allows people to gauge how much they’re going to be spending. The starting prices for the Nissan Rogue and Chevy Equinox are in the same ballpark. The Rogue starts at $27,760, and the Equinox at $26,600. The Equinox is cheaper than the Rogue, the Kia Sportage Hybrid, Mazda CX-5, and the Honda CR-V. The prices for both vehicles can be considered average for the marketplace. So if both vehicles are relatively in the same price range, what sets them apart?
The Cost-Effectiveness of Conservative Fuel Consumption
With both vehicles having very similar MSRPs to one another, we’ll need to examine other aspects to determine a clear-cut winner for being a better value for consumers. And it only makes sense that we look at one of the main aspects of vehicle ownership: how far you can expect to travel between fill-ups and how much you can expect to pay at the pump.
At first glance, we might assume that these vehicles perform the same. After all, they both are equipped with 1.5L engines that are turbocharged. However, the difference between the two can be found in cylinder size and transmission. While the Equinox operates on four and comes equipped with a six-speed automatic, the Nissan Rogue operates on only three and utilizes a CVT, which is optimal for the stop-and-go traffic patterns common with city driving.
Speaking of driving in the city, the Equinox gets 26 MPG when driving in urban environments, which climbs to 31 MPG when it takes to the highway for a combined total of 28 MPG. The EPA considers this average, and you can expect to travel up to 417 miles between fill-ups. The Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, thanks to its adaptable transmission and smaller engine, demonstrates a more cost-effective fuel economy than its counterpart. With 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway for a combined total of 33 MPG, the Rogue will not only go much farther than the Equinox on a full tank with a range of 478 miles, but it will also provide savings of $1,500 on fuel costs over five years.
Advantages of the Interior
There’s much more to determining a vehicle’s value and worthiness than cost. And to continue an effective examination, we have to open the door, get behind the wheel, and examine the interior. After all, this is where you’ll be spending your time. Like many other vehicles in the modern age, the interior of the Equinox and Rogue are anchored by the infotainment screen. The Equinox has a standard 7-inch screen placed into the dashboard, and a larger 8-inch screen is available for those who like to go big. Nissan once again outclasses the Equinox with a standard 8-inch screen that can be upgraded to an impressive 9 inches.
Aside from just a larger screen, the Rogue uses a unique interior design that is far more sophisticated and refined than many competitors. Truth be told, the interior of the Rogue has very little in common with what we’re used to seeing in an SUV. Styling itself after the Altima allows the Rogue to possess a style that’s more in line with a luxury sedan, and its two-toned color scheme and available leather interior allow customers to bask in the lap of luxury. While the interior of the Equinox isn’t extravagant by any means, it does possess a fair amount of practicality, which is still an important aspect that consumers are keen on. A standard Wi-Fi hotspot ensures connectivity is maintained during your travels.
Safety and Driving Assistance Technology
When purchasing the ideal vehicle, there’s one feature that should always take priority over everything else; the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re safe and sound during your travels. Luckily, Chevy and Nissan have a long track record of providing their drivers with vehicles that are just as safe as they are cost-effective and reliable. The first step to looking at any vehicle’s safety doesn’t start with a list of various features but an objective overview of collision testing. Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducts government-mandated collision testing. These results are for the benefit of consumers everywhere and are easily available. And, as a testament to just how effective both brands are at producing safe vehicles, both received the highly-coveted five-star safety rating, the highest available.
Both the Equinox and Rogue have a considerable amount of features that are standard across all levels of trim. For instance, both come with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection. While also doing their part to provide safety and oversight, these features help maximize reaction time and allow us to do our part in keeping the other people we share the road with as safe as possible. Additional features are available for both vehicles, among them adaptive cruise control, which can alter your vehicle’s speed to ensure a safe following distance. However, Nissan offers a semi-autonomous driving mode, known as ProPILOT Assist, as an available feature, whereas Chevy’s equivalent of this technology is still limited to a small number of vehicles only. Nissan’s reputation as an innovator of technology once again shines through on the 2023 Rogue.
The Final Verdict
Choosing a clear-cut winner in this competition is impossible, as deciding what vehicle perfectly suits your needs is always a matter of subjection. While both vehicles have a wealth of advantages to offer you, we feel that the Nissan Rogue outperforms the Chevy Equinox. With more available futures, better fuel economy, and the style and aesthetic many drivers are keen on owning, we have to go with Nissan. While the Equinox might cost less, it’s a short-term solution to your needs as a consumer. The Nissan Rogue is a vehicle that you can not only make a serious investment in but one that will allow you to recoup a sizable return, making it a wise purchase for everyone from solo commuters to drivers with a family.
