One Brand, Two Vastly Different SUVs: Equinox vs Suburban

Every day, customers come to us looking for reliable SUVs that offer the perfect balance of spaciousness, efficiency, versatility, and capability for their needs. For some, this might look like the Equinox, while others may find this in the Suburban. Regardless, our customers are certainly in the right place at Newton Chevrolet GMC and quickly discover just how true that is when they learn everything we have to offer as a Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet dealer.

There is a lot to consider when looking at SUV models, and the Equinox and Suburban represent two different ends of the spectrum. The Equinox is a small SUV that feels more like a sedan when you drive, seats up to 5, and has the perfect amount of cargo capability for the occasional trip to the hardware or furniture store. The Suburban is a massive vehicle that seats up to 7 or 8 people and offers a lot of cargo space to fit whatever you need. Both these models are excellent, but which one will be the best fit for you? Here are some things to consider as your start your search through some of these Certified Pre-Owned SUVs.

#1 Size: Passengers and Cargo

Chances are if you’re shopping for an SUV, you need more room for passengers and cargo. The Equinox and Suburban are both spacious SUVs by their own merit. They are, however, two incredibly different road warriors.

As a compact crossover, the Equinox is one of the most spacious in the segment, with models like the 2018 Equinox stretching 183.1 inches long and 72.6 inches wide. This translates to ample room in the cabin, which offers seating for five, 90 cubic feet of passenger volume and 63.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Front passengers enjoy 40 inches of headroom and 40.9 inches of legroom, while passengers in the second row have plenty of room with 38.5 inches and 39.7 inches, respectively.

If you need seating for more than five, then the Suburban is a better option. As Chevy’s full-size SUV, you won’t find anything larger in the Chevy lineup. But how much bigger is it than the Equinox?

The 2018 Suburban stretches 224.3 inches long and 80.5 inches wide, which makes the Suburban significantly longer and wider than the compact Equinox. This means the Suburban’s cabin is more voluminous with seating for seven, 120.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, and 121.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Front row passengers enjoy 42.8 inches of headroom and 45.3 inches of legroom, while second-row passengers have 39.1 inches and 39.7 inches, respectively. The Suburban’s third row is also spacious and offers passengers 38.5 inches of headroom and 34.5 inches of legroom.

#2 Efficiency

Efficiency is another factor to consider when choosing between SUVs like the Equinox and Suburban. The Equinox’s smaller size makes it more agile and far more efficient than its full-size sibling. For example, finding a 2019 Equinox with a 1.6-liter diesel engine under the hood delivers the SUV’s best fuel economy of 28 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. How does this compare to the Suburban?

Known as the original SUV with its debut in 1935, the Suburban isn’t renowned for its efficiency, but that’s something many drivers are willing to overlook in exchange for its spaciousness and practicality. For the sake of comparison, finding a 2019 Suburban means the model is equipped with a 5.3-liter or 6.2-liter V8 engine under its hood. Powering a behemoth like the Suburban is no easy feat, with the 5.3-liter averaging 15 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway while the 6.2-liter averages slightly less at 14 MPG and 20 MPG, respectively. This means spending far more money on fuel and more time at the gas pump, which adds to the overall cost of buying and owning a Suburban.

#3 Destination and Driving Style

Another factor to consider is where you spend most of your time driving. As a crossover, the Equinox’s small size makes it agile and easy to maneuver whether you’re navigating a busy city street or cruising down the highway. On the other hand, the Suburban’s status as a beloved “land yacht” makes it much harder to maneuver into tight parking lots, busy city centers, and even some garages.

#4 Budget

What’s your budget? This is a question that frames most of your search for a Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet like the Equinox and the Suburban. As you shop our inventory, you’ll discover that your money goes a lot further on our used lot, where you can get behind the wheel of a top-tier trim at a fraction of the cost. This means more bells and whistles, more luxuries, more features, and more money in your wallet regardless of whether you buy the agile Equinox or the spacious Suburban. Generally speaking, you will find that an Equinox costs significantly less than a Suburban due to its smaller size and engine.

#5 Safety and Driver-Assist Features

When shopping for an SUV like the Equinox or the Chevrolet, you can rest assured knowing that the models offer the latest safety and driver-assist features. Chevrolet remains committed to your safety, and it shows on models like the 2020 Equinox and 2020 Suburban, both of which have a vast array of tools designed to keep you informed, enhance your visibility, and minimize the potential for collision. These features include Forward Collision Alert, a Safety Alert Seat, IntelliBeam automatic high beams, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

What It Means: Shopping Chevy’s Certified Pre-Owned

Shopping from our Certified Pre-Owned inventory of Chevy SUVs means that you’ll enjoy a long list of benefits that starts with a high-quality car without the new-car sticker price. Certified Pre-Owned models are used vehicles that are held to a higher standard and are reconditioned to as close to their original condition as possible. So, what are Chevy’s standards for certification?

Every Equinox or Suburban that you’ll find in our Certified Pre-Owned inventory must be less than six model years old, have fewer than 75,000 miles, and have a clean title. If the SUV meets these requirements, it must then pass a 172-point inspection that looks at every inch of the vehicle and notes any necessary repairs or issues. Any points of concern are fixed or repaired with genuine parts that ensure the SUV’s operability and reliability.

Once an Equinox or Suburban earns its certification, the real benefits are passed onto you. Every Certified Pre-Owned model comes with a free vehicle history report and a satisfaction guarantee with Chevy’s exchange policy. The vehicles are also covered by two Chevy-backed limited warranties and come with roadside assistance and a scheduled maintenance program.

The Choice Is Yours

Choosing to shop for a Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet was likely an easy decision once you discovered the many benefits that Chevy has to offer through its certified vehicles. Choosing between remarkable SUVs like the Equinox and Suburban often proves to be a little harder. This decision comes down to your preferences. Are you looking for a compact and agile SUV that can quickly and efficiently get you from Point A to Point B? Or, do you need a spacious hauler that can accommodate your growing family and vast amounts of cargo? The choice is yours and, either way, you’re already on the right track by choosing Chevrolet.