Toyota RAV4 or Chevy Equinox: You Might Have a Harder Choice Than You Think
If you’re in the market for a new SUV, the decision will not be easy. There are so many new SUVs hitting the sales floor, figuring out which one you want can prove to be more than a little confusing.
Two such SUVs are the 2020 Toyota RAV4 and the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. Each has qualities that everyone wants, and making a choice is harder than ever. Thankfully, Kelley Blue Book has the details about both and which one stands out.
2020 Toyota RAV4
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 is quickly becoming a bestseller, and it’s easy to see why. It’s made with high-quality materials, reliable, and perfect for going on off-road adventures.
The RAV4 comes with several trim levels and offers a hybrid version starting to gain more attention. That’s because you can get 27 mpg in the city on the base model. That means it’s perfect whether you’re cruising the streets or hitting the trails. Very few SUVs are comfortable both on and off-road, so this helps the RAV4 stand out.
The downside to the 2020 Toyota RAV4 is the lack of leather seats. Most off-roaders won’t care, but this might be a deal-breaker for those looking for a daily driver. The RAV4 can also be a little noisy and only offers navigation at the top trim levels. Still, most people will be using Google Maps, so that’s not that big of a deal.
The 2020 Toyota RAV4 starts at $27,070. Once you start moving up the trim levels, the price adds up as well. This can sting a little when you add in the AWD, which is optional instead of standard.
2020 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2020 Chevy Equinox has a lot of standard features, even on the base trim. Most of these include safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, pedestrian alert, and rear-seat alert. Higher trim levels offer the HD rearview camera, smart cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The base engine is nothing to boast about, but you can upgrade to a 2.0-liter turbo engine that gives you a little more zip. The diesel engine that drew so many consumers is no longer available.
The 2020 Chevy Equinox starts at $24,995. That’s not a bad price, but you have to upgrade if you want AWD, which will drive up costs to almost $6,000. Other features that aren’t so great include a tight cargo space and a lackluster fuel economy. The Equinox is also not suitable if you want an SUV for off-roading.
Which should you buy?
It gets hard to decide which one to buy, so let’s look at a few more facts. The 2020 Chevy Equinox and the 2020 Toyota RAV4 have a few things in common. Both have available AWD and can tow up to 3,500-pounds. This helps if you want to tow a boat to the lake. They both also sit up to five passengers.
Where the 2020 Toyota RAV4 stands out is it’s superior trim levels. The Adventure Trim and TRD trim are perfect for off-road champions. There’s also a hybrid option if you want to go green, and the resale value is excellent.
The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox has more storage options in the rear. If you’re focused on safety and entertainment, the infotainment system is much easier to use, and there are driver-assists on each trim level.
Despite all the Equinox’s exceptional features, the Toyota RAV4 is the better buy. Even though the Equinox is cheaper, the RAV4 has a better resale value and more options, making it the better choice.
