2023 Chevy Equinox vs 2023 Honda CR-V

• 2023 Chevy Equinox

  

  Starting at

  $26,600^[a]

  2023 Honda CR-V

  

  Starting at

  $28,410

  203	Standard Torque (lb-ft)	179
  Standard	Wireless Apple CarPlay	Available
  6-Speaker	Standard Sound System	4-Speaker

  When searching for the perfect compact SUV, you are sure to come across the Chevy Equinox and Honda CR-V. These are two great compact SUVs to compare because of their similar size, functionality, and price point. They both have a good reputation and years of research and development behind their design. They are the best-selling SUV models for their respective brands, and each offers a variety of unique features. However, comparing the 2023 Chevy Equinox vs 2023 Honda CR-V shows a clear winner in affordability and value for your hard-earned dollars. Chevy simply does a better job of pricing the Equinox competitively.

  The CR-V has a hybrid powertrain option that gets very good fuel efficiency, but that option will cost you significantly more than even the highest trim level of the Equinox. Even the most expensive trim of the Equinox is only a couple hundred more than the second trim on the Honda, giving you a more luxurious experience for your money. The Equinox also has more torque with its standard powertrain, making it more responsive than the CR-V. Finally, the Equinox comes with more standard features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Overall, the Equinox is a better choice for most drivers, especially if you are looking to get the most bang for your buck.

• Size

  

  Sized Just Right

  One of the main reasons that someone chooses a compact SUV is for the benefit of a spacious cabin in a maneuverable vehicle. Unlike larger SUVs, the balance here should be in favor of maneuverability. If you want more space, a midsize SUV is going to be a better choice. The 2023 Chevy Equinox and the 2023 Honda CR-V are similar in size, but the Honda is bigger. Both in exterior and interior dimensions, the CR-V is larger. That makes the Equinox more maneuverable, which is important for easy parking, driving in tight spaces, and navigating traffic, providing an overall easier driving experience.

  Cargo space in the Honda is 76.5 cu.ft. with the back row of seats folded down and 39.3 cu.ft. behind the second row. The Chevy has 63.9 cu.ft. of total cargo space with the back seats folded and 29.9 cu.ft. with all of the seats up. While this may seem like a win for the Honda, the increased interior space means the exterior of the vehicle is also longer and taller. Which model is the better size will depend on what you need. However, if you are looking for a nimble everyday ride that still has enough space to run the occasional errand, the Equinox is the clear winner.

• Power

  

  Engine Options

  People often choose SUVs over sedans because of the increased engine power and towing capacity. While most people don’t frequently use their SUVs for towing, especially compact SUVs, it is a concern for many. A small camper is fun to take out to the woods on the weekend, but a small car just can’t get this done. However, small SUVs can tow small trailers. Both the CR-V and the Equinox can tow up to 1,500 lbs with their gas engines, but the CR-V Hybrid can only tow 1,000 lbs. Chevy also offers a variety of factory accessories that take full advantage of the available towing hitch and roof racks to make the most of your vehicle’s performance.

  What is just as important for many SUV buyers is the horsepower and torque of the engine. The 2023 Honda CR-V has two powertrain options: a 1.5L turbocharged I-4 and a hybrid. The 2023 Chevy Equinox also comes standard with a 1.5L turbocharged I-4, making these two vehicles quite comparable. However, the engine in the Equinox offers significantly more torque, with 203 lb-ft to the CR-V’s 179 lb-ft. While drivers often compare the horsepower ratings of cars, in daily driving, torque is actually the more important figure, as it is what you feel every time you accelerate at low speeds.

  More for Less

  Horsepower is certainly important since it indicates how fast the vehicle can go, but torque is often just as, if not more, important. High torque means better acceleration, while high horsepower means higher top speed. Both the Equinox and CR-V have perfectly fine top speeds and are more than capable of driving as fast as you’ll need. The advantage that the Equinox has over the CR-V is more responsive acceleration, especially when you factor in the smaller size of the Equinox.

  When comparing the power of the gas engines for both of these vehicles, the Equinox wins in torque. When comparing the Equinox gas engine to the CR-V Hybrid, the hybrid powertrain has horsepower and torque, but you will be paying significantly more to enjoy that small bump in performance. Overall, each vehicle has its own benefits and drawbacks. However, the Chevy Equinox offers a more well-rounded and higher-value option than the Honda CR-V, especially the expensive CR-V Hybrid, making the Equinox good value for your dollar.

• Affordability

  

  Impressive Value

  The affordability of an SUV is a major concern for any buyer. You spent lots of time earning those dollars, and you want to make sure that they go to good use when buying a new vehicle. How affordable a vehicle is depends on the short-term costs, long-term costs, and available features. The CR-V and Equinox both provide some impressive value, but one is significantly more affordable than the other. We will look at starting MSRP, fuel economy, and the cost of the different trims to see which provides more value.

  Fuel economy is very close between the Chevy and the Honda when you compare their standard 1.5L turbocharged gasoline engines, which you might expect, given how similar these powertrains are. The average American drives about 14,000 miles annually, meaning that most Americans would use about two more tanks of gas over the course of a year with the Equinox than the equivalent engine in the CR-V. Sure, that’s a bit more, but that’s over a whole year. Does a yearly savings of about $100 make up for the thousands of dollars you could save by choosing the more affordable Equinox? Probably not. While the CR-V Hybrid does offer even better fuel economy, the Honda hybrids also come with an even higher price tag.

  A Difference in Pricing

  The 2023 Honda CR-V starts at $28,410 for the base LX trim, which comes with a 1.5L turbocharged gasoline engine. The EX is $31,060, the Sport Hybrid is $32,400, the EX-L is $33,710, and the Sport Touring Hybrid is $39,100. Now, you’ll notice that there is a spread of over $10,000 from the cheapest to the most expensive CR-V. The hybrids start out at almost $33,000, and you’ll be looking at almost $40,000 for the top-of-the-line trim. This is a huge difference in price, potentially costing you thousands to get all the features you desire.

  In contrast, the 2023 Chevy Equinox starts at $26,600 for the base LS trim.^[a] The LT starts at $27,700, the RS at $30,700, and the Premier at $31,800.^[a] You’ll notice that even the top Premier trim costs less than any of the CR-V Hybrid trims and is barely more expensive than the second-lowest trim option for the Honda. This makes the Equinox much more affordable than a CR-V. Between the negligible difference in fuel economy and the massive difference in initial price and features you get with the Equinox, the Chevy is a much better deal. If you are looking to make your dollar go as far as possible, the Equinox is your best bet.

Find a Special SUV at a Great Price