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Two of America's most cross-shopped compact SUVs, side by side. We'll show you exactly where each one wins — price, powertrain, standard features, cargo — and tell you, honestly, which one is the better fit for which kind of driver.
The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox starts at $30,995. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 LE starts at $33,500 — a $2,505 difference at base, and the RAV4 is now sold only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. Toyota dropped every gas-only powertrain from the 2026 RAV4 lineup.
At base trim, the Equinox LT includes heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an 11.3-inch touchscreen, and Google built-in as standard. The RAV4 LE includes none of those — heated seats and heated steering require stepping up to the XLE Premium and adding the Cold Weather Package. The RAV4's argument is its hybrid powertrain (43 MPG combined, EPA-estimated) and its 226–236 horsepower system output.
Put simply: the Equinox is the value-and-content winner; the RAV4 is the efficiency-and-powertrain winner. The rest of this page is the detail behind that claim.
For 2026, Toyota made the RAV4 a hybrid-only vehicle. That's the central decision you're making in this comparison.
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is no longer available with a gas-only engine in any grade. Toyota's 5th-generation hybrid system is standard across the lineup — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired to electric motors, producing 226 net combined horsepower in FWD form and 236 in AWD. The RAV4 LE FWD delivers an EPA-estimated 43 MPG combined. A plug-in hybrid is also available, producing 324 system horsepower with a manufacturer-estimated 49 miles of all-electric driving range on the Woodland grade.
The 2027 Equinox uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission. New for 2027, the 8-speed is now standard on FWD models as well as AWD — replacing the previous CVT. It is not a hybrid.
We compared what comes standard on the 2027 Equinox LT against what comes standard on the 2026 RAV4 LE — the entry trim each manufacturer sells.
External footprint and interior cargo capacity don't always go together. Here's how each measures up.
The Equinox has a slightly larger exterior footprint — 2.2 inches longer and 1.9 inches wider than the standard RAV4 — and that extra width shows up as shoulder room in the cabin. For most daily-driver use cases, 63.5 cubic feet is more than enough.
The RAV4 is the cargo-and-towing winner of this pair. With 70.4 cubic feet behind the front row (second row folded) and a 3,500-lb max towing capacity on AWD models, it has a real advantage for buyers who haul gear or tow small trailers.
Both lineups split into a comfortable trim, a sporty trim, and an adventure-styled trim. Here's how they map.
You want the lowest starting price in the segment, you live somewhere with cold winters and want heated seats and heated steering standard at base, you prefer a conventional gas engine over a hybrid, or you specifically want Google Maps and Google Assistant built into the vehicle.
And — straightforwardly — if you'd rather buy from a local Western New York Chevrolet dealer with a service department right here in town, the Equinox is the obvious pick.
Schedule an Equinox test driveFuel economy is your single biggest priority and 43 MPG combined is non-negotiable. You want a plug-in hybrid with real EV range. You regularly tow up to 3,500 lb. Or you need the extra 6.9 cu ft of cargo space behind the front row.
Worth knowing: Chevrolet does offer an all-electric Equinox EV with a 319-mile EPA-estimated range on a separate platform. If electrification is what you're after, we can show you both at West Herr Chevrolet of Williamsville.
Test drives in 15 minutes or less. Sales team available 7 days a week.
No. For 2026, Toyota discontinued all gas-only RAV4 powertrains. Every 2026 RAV4 sold is either a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid. The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox is the closer alternative — a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic, starting at $30,995.
Yes. Every 2027 Chevrolet Equinox — LT, RS, and ACTIV — includes heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard equipment, starting at $30,995. The 2026 Toyota RAV4 LE does not include heated seats.
Yes. The 2027 Equinox is available with all-wheel drive on every trim. AWD adds an Off-Road drive mode in addition to Normal and Snow.
The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox has a maximum towing capacity of 1,500 lb when equipped with all-wheel drive. The 2026 RAV4 AWD tows up to 3,500 lb.
The 2027 Equinox has the larger standard touchscreen at 11.3 inches across every trim. The 2026 RAV4 LE has a 10.5-inch screen standard, and the Limited, XSE, and GR SPORT grades have a 12.9-inch screen.
At West Herr Chevrolet of Williamsville. We serve the entire Buffalo and Western New York region with new and used Chevrolet inventory, a full service department, and a 7-days-a-week sales floor.
Continue your research with one of the other compact SUVs people cross-shop against the Equinox.
Cargo space, technology, and value. The CR-V is the cargo king of the segment — here's how the Equinox stacks up.
Read comparison →Two style-forward SUVs in the same price range. Standard tech, warranty, and the feature-for-feature value picture.
Read comparison →Side by side on towing, powertrain, and standard safety. The Escape's 2.0L turbo brings real towing capability.
Read comparison →Starting MSRP excludes tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment. Destination Freight Charge included. Vehicle pricing, specifications, and availability are subject to change. Confirm current pricing and availability with a West Herr Chevrolet of Williamsville sales consultant.
EPA-estimated 43 MPG combined rating for 2026 RAV4 LE and XLE Hybrid FWD. Toyota RAV4 specifications sourced from the 2026 Toyota RAV4 Sales Consultant Guide. Use figures for comparison purposes only.
Safety or driver-assistance features are no substitute for the driver's responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Read the vehicle Owner's Manual for important feature limitations and information.
Toyota, RAV4, and Toyota Safety Sense are trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation. Chevrolet, the Chevrolet bowtie, Equinox, and Chevy Safety Assist are trademarks of General Motors. References to competitor vehicles are for comparison purposes; West Herr Chevrolet of Williamsville is not affiliated with Toyota Motor Corporation.
