Starting at
Starting at
| 201 | Horsepower (hp) | 175 |
| 74.1 | Max. Cargo (cu.ft.) | 63.9 |
| 30/37 | Fuel Economy (city/hwy MPG) | 26/31 |
When it comes to compact SUVs, it’s easy to assume there’s not much difference between models. After all, we see so many compact SUVs out on the road, and even though they have different names, can they really be all that different from one another? There can’t really be much that individualizes vehicles of the same general design, right? These assumptions are far from the truth, and if you look closely, you’ll see there are in fact some very distinct differences between various compact SUV models. And that’s before we consider interiors and what’s under the hood. Your own lifestyle matters, as well. The best SUV for one person isn’t necessarily the best for another.
Compact SUVs are designed to be versatile, pleasing different types of drivers instead of only one. Some accomplish this mission better than others. Two of the most popular to thread that needle are the 2023 Nissan Rogue and the 2023 Chevy Equinox. If you’re buying, though, you don’t want to know which two are the best. You want to know which one is the best. That’s where this article comes in. We’ll take a closer look at the 2023 Nissan Rogue vs 2023 Chevy Equinox and see which one comes out ahead so you can make an informed buying decision.
There are some aesthetic preferences you might have that make the difference. Perhaps you want a certain style on the outside and that will supersede better performance or a more spacious interior. These preferences cannot be decided by anyone other than you. If you’re interested in comparing specs, though, we have you covered and can explain which model has better results and which one we believe is best for Illinois drivers.
Performance is all about how smooth a drive you have and how well your vehicle can accelerate. No one expects a compact SUV to drive like a sports car, but that does not mean you should have to put up with a bumpy, unpleasant ride. What compact SUVs do provide; however, is sedan-like maneuverability in a more spacious SUV package. So which one can give you the best overall driving experience? Let's take a closer look.
The Nissan Rogue comes with a very powerful engine for a compact SUV; compact SUVs have never had a great reputation for power, and the Nissan Rogue aims to upend that assumption. It offers a turbo-charged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 201 hp; an engine that gives you higher horsepower like this will make for a smoother ride and better acceleration. The Rogue may be compact, but its power is anything but limiting, with 225 lb-ft of torque to enhance the ride. These numbers tend to surprise customers who expect a compact to be a little on the slower side; not so for the Rogue.
The Equinox arrives with a turbo-charged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that will get the job done, but it won’t happen as smoothly as it will with the Nissan Rogue, offering a respectable 175 hp. Unlike the Rogue, you’re going to feel the drive a fair bit with this engine as its numbers, while not terrible, definitely end up on the lower side. The torque, too, underwhelms with a rating of 203 lb-ft. Acceleration, for instance, is rougher: it takes eight seconds to go from 0 to 60. The smooth merging the Rogue provides won’t be found here. The Equinox ends up with the performance one typically associates with compact SUVs: decent but nothing to write home about.
This one is easy. The Rogue is more powerful despite a minimal price difference between the two models. The Rogue wins, and, frankly, it’s not much of a match. Its performance is enough to make compact SUV naysayers reconsider some of their assumptions.
Journeys to the gas station can be adventures, but not always in a good way. Prices have been fluctuating wildly in recent years, and when there’s even more uncertainty with gas prices than usual, you will want a compact SUV that’s fuel efficient so you're not continually spending time and money at the pump.
The Nissan Rogue puts up some solid stats. With FWD the Rogue offers an impressive 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. With fuel efficiency like this, your trips to the gas station will be far less frequent, and therefore keeping more money in your wallet. The Equinox also gets some decent numbers, with its FWD model getting 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. These are solid numbers for a compact SUV, around the average a buyer would expect from a vehicle this size, but average is probably not what you're looking for.
The numbers don’t lie; the Rogue offers the superior fuel economy. The Equinox’s numbers are decent, no question about it, but they’re not quite at the level of the Rogue’s, which are really stellar. In terms of mileage, the Rogue lands way ahead of the Equinox. Well ahead of almost all other compact SUVs, actually. Nissan’s fuel efficiency with the Rogue is something to brag about and will no doubt help its customers save a fair bit of cash in the long run.
The benefit of an SUV is that it’s spacier than a sedan, allowing you and all on board to have a more comfortable experience on the road. Thanks to their immense cabin space, they're perfect for those epic road trips, letting families spend more time on the road, and less complaining in the backseat. And when you combine that with an array of innovative comfort and convenience features, you have the perfect long-distance traveler. So, how do the interiors of these two compact SUVs look?
An available tri-zone climate control means you can have passengers existing in their own preferred temperature. Think that sounds silly? Just take a trip with one person who likes it ten degrees warmer than the other and see how much of a nightmare it can be. The ability to regulate the Rogue’s interior to different climates depending on where someone is seated can reduce complaints on long drives.
The Rogue’s interior is designed for comfort overall, even offering fully leather seats on higher trims. It makes the most of its interior space with plenty of cubbies so you can store any small items and not have to worry about them vanishing under seats. The infotainment system also impresses with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto connectivity, and if you opt for it, you can get Nissan's Door to Door Navigation, too, which is great for those who want to explore everything the open road has to offer. On top of that, the Rogue provides an impressive 74.1 cu.ft. of space with both seats folded down.
The Equinox’s interior is comfortable, no doubt, and won’t cause any passengers to complain. It does not brag of the cubby storage that the Rogue comes with, however, and its seats are not as upgradeable, either. Infotainment options are the same, but the touchscreen is seven inches as opposed to the Rogue’s eight inch screen. Like the Rogue and other compact SUVs, it does offer decent storage room for luggage, giving you 63.9 cu.ft. of space with the seats down, but this hardly competes with the Rogue's spacious interior.
The differences between the two SUVs’ interiors are small, but many small differences do add up. In this case, the Rogue has a little bit more luxury to it, and we think passengers will be pleased with its adaptability. No one will complain about being inside an Equinox, but no one will forget being inside a Rogue. Its extra element of luxury makes all the difference, on top of its already roomy cabin, making the Rogue the clear winner.
At Illini Nissan, we’re firm believers in the 2023 Nissan Rogue, ranking it at the absolute top of the list of compact SUVs currently on the market. It has performance that belies its size, excellent fuel efficiency, and a luxurious inside. What’s not to love? While other compact SUVs like the Chevy Equinox are nice, they simply cannot compare to what the Rogue offers drivers, whether you're a solo commuter or need a vehicle for your family.
When you come by our dealership, you’ll be greeted by customer service experts who want to help find you the exact Rogue model so that you are able to make the most of your time on the road. It's a versatile SUV with incredible comfort inside and exquisite style on the outside. As fellow Illinois drivers ourselves, we know that the Rogue can handle anywhere the road takes you, whether it's from Chicago to a drive up to the Great Lakes to a trip down the rural roads of our beautiful state. Stop by now and drive off in a Nissan Rogue that will be sure to enhance your daily travels in a variety of ways!
*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.
