Head-to-head
2026 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Toyota RAV4
Too close to call: Chevrolet Equinox 87.7 vs Toyota RAV4 86.6 with these weights. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on safety and space & cargo. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.7 and it flips.
B
2026 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox is sold in the U.S. as an electric and gas compact SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Equinox EV FWD…
vs
A2026 Toyota RAV4
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the RAV4, is EPA-rated at 43 mpg c…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Chevrolet Equinox
Toss-upToo close to call: Chevrolet Equinox 87.7 vs Toyota RAV4 86.6 with these weights. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on safety and space & cargo. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.7 and it flips.
Fuel & range 2026 Chevrolet Equinox leads by 56.6
Safety 2026 Toyota RAV4 leads by 32
Price 2026 Chevrolet Equinox leads by 9.7
| Category · weight | 2026 Chevrolet Equinoxoverall 87.7 | 2026 Toyota RAV4overall 86.6 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 90.3 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 43.4 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 64.4 | 96.4 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 82.6 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 84.3 | 97.2 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortnot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Warrantyw 2 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Basic and powertrain coverage in years and miles. | |||||||||||||||||
| Overall | 87.7 | 86.6 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Chevrolet Equinox: base trim LT FWD · Toyota RAV4: base trim LE FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.7 and the answer flips.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox wins
- It is rated 108 combined against 43 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
- It costs $850 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($700 against $1,550).
- It starts $3,100 lower ($28,800 against $31,900 base MSRP).
Where the 2026 Toyota RAV4 answers
- It lists 25 standard driver-assist features against 3.
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (42 against 86 filed with NHTSA).
What they share
- A 3-year basic warranty.
- 36,000-mile basic coverage.
- A 5-year powertrain warranty.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
52 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $28,800 | $31,900 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | twin turbo | Atkinson Cycle |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 1,500 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | 1.5L turbo DOHC DI VVT with automatic stop/start | 2.5-liter Dynamic Force 4-cylinder aluminum alloy block with aluminum alloy cylinder head |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | D-4S |
| Valve configuration | Dual overhead camshafts; four valves per cylinder | DOHC 16-Valve |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 175 hp | 226 hp |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft | 163 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | — | 47 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | — | 43 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | — | 40 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 5.81 | — |
| Transmission type | Continuously variable transmission | cvt |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 8.1 in | 8.1 in |
| Overall height | 65.6 in | 66.7 in |
| Overall length | 183 in | 181 in |
| Overall width | 74.9 in | 73 in |
| Wheelbase | 108 in | 106 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 1st row | 63.5 cu-ft | 70.4 cu-ft |
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 29.8 cu-ft | 37.8 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 104 cu-ft | 98.9 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | — | 5 |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40 in | 37.9 in |
| Second-row headroom | — | 39.5 in |
| Third-row headroom | 39.2 in | — |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | — | 41 in |
| Second-row legroom | — | 37.8 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | — | 3,640 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,428 lbs | 3,640 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | — | 4,920 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson strut with specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar | Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension type | Four-link independent rear suspension | Multi-link with stabilizer bar |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Dual pinion rack electric power steering | Electric Power Steering (EPS) rack-mounted parallel-type |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 37.1 ft | 36.9 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | — | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | — | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | — | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | — | 282 mm |
| Rear brake type | — | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 17 in | 17 in |
| Wheel material | aluminum | alloy |
| Wheel width | — | 7.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 235/65R17 all-season | 235/65R17 |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 14.8 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | — | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | — | Toyota Connected Services |
| Connected services trial (premium tier) | — | 12 months |
| Connected services trial (standard tier) | — | 60 months |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.7 in | 57 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | — | 56.4 in |
| Third-row shoulder room | 55.8 in | — |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
68 features · differences first, then sharedSafety22 differ · 25 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control w/Eco Mode (DRCC) | — | std |
| Toyota Safety Sense™ 4.0 (TSS 4.0) — Pre-Collision System w/Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control w/Eco Mode (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Proactive Driving Assist | — | std |
| Backup camera with dynamic gridlines | — | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Lane Departure Alert w/Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) | — | std |
| Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) | — | std |
| Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) | — | std |
| 3-point seatbelts for all seating positions; driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) on all passenger seatbelts | — | std |
| Adjustable front shoulder anchors | — | std |
| Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) | — | std |
| Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout control | — | std |
| Eight airbags — includes driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbag, front passenger seat cushion airbag, and front and rear side curtain airbags | — | std |
| Electric Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Hold | — | std |
| Front and outboard second-row seatbelts with seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters | — | std |
| Front and rear side-impact door beams | — | std |
| Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) | — | std |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats | — | std |
| Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS) | — | std |
| Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer | — | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert | — | std |
| Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) | std | std |
| Star Safety System™ — includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology® (SST) | std | std |
| Traction Control (TRAC) | std | std |
Infotainment10 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Connect — includes AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot and Integrated Streaming (Spotify® – separate subscription required) compatibility. 30-day trial subscription with Unlimited Hotspot Data | — | std |
| Bluetooth® hands-free phone and voice-command via steering wheel | — | std |
| 10.5-in. Toyota Audio Multimedia, six speakers, with wireless Apple CarPlay® & Android Auto™ compatibility, SiriusXM® with 360L with 3-month trial | — | std |
| 2 - 15w front USB-C charging ports and 1 center console media USB-C charging port | — | std |
| Drive Connect — 1-year trial for Limited AWD, XSE, GR SPORT; capable/subscription required for others | — | std |
| Drive Recorder Dash Cam- integrated drive recording system that utilizes front and rear (front and Panoramic View Monitor if equipped) camera systems for video recording | — | std |
| Remote Connect — 1-year trial subscription | — | std |
| Safety Connect® — 5-year minimum trial subscription | — | std |
| Service Connect — 5-year minimum trial subscription | — | std |
| Steering wheel controls for audio, Multi-Information Display (MID), Bluetooth® hands-free phone, voice-command, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) | — | std |
Convenience3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| One 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet in front instrument panel storage tray and one 12V/120W auxiliary power outlet [12v] in cargo area | — | std |
| Remote keyless entry system with lock, unlock, panic functions, and remote illuminated entry | — | std |
| Power windows with auto up/down and jam protection in all positions | — | std |
Climate1 differ · 1 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dual zone automatic climate control system with dust and pollen filter and rear-seat vents | — | std |
Seating5 differ · 5 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 8-way manual-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support; 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | — | std |
| 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | — | std |
| 60/40 split reclining fold-flat rear seat with center armrest and cup holders | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 8-way manual-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support; 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | — | std |
| Fabric-trimmed seats; 8-way manual-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support; 6-way manual front passenger seat with seatback pocket | — | std |
Interior3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12.3-in. digital gauge cluster with customizable settings, integrated multimedia information, odometer, tripmeters, clock, outside temperature, rear passenger seatbelt indicators, fuel gauge, hybrid energy monitor, battery charge meter, fuel economy information, trip timer, shift-position and scheduled maintenance indicators, and warning messages | — | std |
| Overhead console with maplights, sunglasses storage and Safety Connect® button | — | std |
| Day/night rearview mirror | — | std |
Exterior12 differ · 12 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED projector low- and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and front side marker lamp with chrome accent, Automatic High Beams (AHB) | — | std |
| 17-in. aluminum wheels (std. LT and ACTIV) | std | — |
| 19-in. aluminum wheels (std. RS, avail. LT) | opt | — |
| 235/55R19 all-season tires (std. RS, avail. LT) | opt | — |
| 235/65R17 all-season tires (std. LT) | std | — |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | — | std |
| LED taillights | — | std |
| Low-profile black roof rails | — | std |
| NEW Polar White exterior color | std | — |
| Privacy glass on all rear side, quarter and liftgate windows | — | std |
| Color-keyed upper front bumper, and satin black lower front bumper, overfenders and rear bumper | — | std |
| Spare Tire/Wheel Temporary | — | std |
Powertrain2 differ · 4 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (LE, XLE Premium, SE, XSE, Woodland, LTD) | opt | — |
| 1.5L turbo DOHC DI VVT with automatic stop/start | std | — |
| FWD (LE, SE, XLE Premium) | std | std |
| Center console with covered storage compartment, reversible armrest/console tray, two cup holders, drive mode (trail, snow, normal and EV mode), auto LSD/VSC, Electric Parking Brake (EPB) and automatic Brake Hold controls, and front storage tray | std | std |
Chassis3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dual pinion rack electric power steering | std | — |
| Four-link independent rear suspension | std | — |
| MacPherson strut with specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (Front Suspension) | std | — |
Cargo2 differ · 2 listed
| Feature | Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo area tonneau cover | — | std |
| Height-adjustable rear cargo area deck board | — | std |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPChevrolet Equinox
Safety Signal 87 B
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 3
Owner complaints 86 · 5 crashes · 1 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (39), Service Brakes (23), Power Train (18)
Top recalls
- high Tires 25V704000 · 22,914 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V114000 · 5,861 vehicles
- minor Back Over Prevention 25V878000 · 81,177 vehicles
Toyota RAV4
Safety Signal 94 A
NHTSA overall —
Frontal / side / rollover — / — / —
Recalls 2
Owner complaints 42 · 3 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Forward Collision Avoidance (17), Unspecified (13), Electrical System (8)
Top recalls
- minor Engine And Engine Cooling 26V659000 · 30,978 vehicles
- minor Equipment 26V571000 · 135 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Chevrolet EquinoxLT FWD | Toyota RAV4LE FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $28,800 (base trim) | $31,900 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $28,800 – $33,600 8 trims | $31,900 – $48,500 13 trims |
| Powertrains | BEV, GAS | HEV |
| EPA configuration compared | Equinox EV FWD | RAV4 |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 108 | 43 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $700 | $1,550 |
| EV range | 319 mi | — |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi (make terms) | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi (make terms) | 5 yr / 60,000 mi |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
Too close to call: Chevrolet Equinox 87.7 vs Toyota RAV4 86.6 with these weights. The Toyota RAV4 is ahead on safety and space & cargo. Raise the safety weight from 4 to 4.7 and it flips. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox scores 87.7 and the 2026 Toyota RAV4 86.6. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox starts lower — $28,800 against $31,900, a gap of $3,100 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox or the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
2026 Chevrolet Equinox: 5 NHTSA stars, grade B, 3 recalls. 2026 Toyota RAV4: no NHTSA rating yet, grade A, 2 recalls. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2026 Toyota RAV4?
Where the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox wins: it is rated 108 combined against 43 (EPA mpg or MPGe), costs $850 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($700 against $1,550), and starts $3,100 lower ($28,800 against $31,900 base MSRP). Where the 2026 Toyota RAV4 answers: it lists 25 standard driver-assist features against 3 and has drawn fewer owner complaints (42 against 86 filed with NHTSA). What they share: a 3-year basic warranty, 36,000-mile basic coverage, and a 5-year powertrain warranty.