2010 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2010 Toyota RAV4 November 22, 2009 AUTORIVALS.NET

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Chevrolet has really done an outstanding job redesigning their Equinox for 2010. It no longer looks unrefined and outdated like the last generation. Chevy has been promoting the Equinox vigorously against the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Toyota RAV4. The RAV4 was restyled slightly last year and still remains one of the top compact SUVs. 2010 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2010 Toyota RAV4 The Equinox's front end is very tall compared to other compact SUVs. It creates an oversized grill and headlights to try and compensate for the long dimensions. The new split grill with the horizontal bar and logo resemble other Chevys. The RAV4 was freshened with a new bumper and grill design in 2009. There's three different trims that vary in design but all are more aggressive than before. It be wise to avoid the Limited trim though. The Equinox is more aggressive with bulging fender flares in both the front and rear. The tall flat front is more visible when compared to the more rounded RAV4 front end. Chevy tried to create a faster looking profile with a steeply raked C-pillar and crease running across the side. The RAV4 keeps its C-pillar thin to accommodate for the optional third row. The Equinox has a maximum of two rows only seating five versus the RAV4's seven. The Equinox's rear is similar to the RAV4 with the exception of the rear side windows that connects to the rear window. Both place spoilers at the top and have similar tail light shapes. The RAV4 shown has an optional sport door. The standard rear door places the spare tire on the back which doesn't look as good as the one shown. The Equinox's center stack is similar to other Chevys and even Cadillacs. It looks better than the two-tier center stack design of the RAV4 but isn't as easy to use with smaller buttons that are clustered together.

SPECIFICATIONS PRICE: $22,440 - $29,795 ENGINE: 2.4L I4 - 3.0L V6 HORSEPOWER: 182 - 264 hp TORQUE: 172 - 222 lb-ft SIZE (L x W x H): 187.8 x 72.5 x 66.3 in. WEIGHT: 3761 - 3975 lbs 0-60 MPH: 7.8 - 8.7 sec 1/4 MILE: 16.8 sec @ 84 mph (I4) TOP SPEED: 112 mph FUEL (CITY/HWY): 17-22/24-32 mpg SPECIFICATIONS PRICE: $21,500 - $27,810 ENGINE: 2.5L I4 - 3.5L V6 HORSEPOWER: 179 - 269 hp TORQUE: 172 - 246 lb-ft SIZE (L x W x H): 181.9 x 71.5 x 66.3 in. - 181.9 x 73.0 x 68.7 in. WEIGHT: 3360 - 3670 lbs 0-60 MPH: 6.3 - 8.7 sec 1/4 MILE: 14.9 sec @ 94 mph - 16.9 sec @ 82 mph TOP SPEED: 116 - 129 mph FUEL (CITY/HWY): 19-22/26-28 mpg RECAP RECAP PROS +It looks fast +Refined interior CONS -Oversized front end PROS +It is fast +Seats up to seven CONS -Two-tiered center stack

Video Source: YouTube via Cars.com

NOTES The RAV4 V6 can run to 60 in 6.3 seconds. 6.3 seconds?!!... I know. And it still beats the Equinox's smaller displacement V6 in fuel economy. Many credit the original RAV4 for starting the the car-based compact SUV segment.