Interior: Chevy Equinox vs. Ford Escape &
Toyota RAV4
All three compact crossovers seat five passengers
across two rows, but how do these new SUVs differ in key spatial departments
and interior features?
Space
Both the Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox provide 104
cubic feet of passenger volume, while the Toyota RAV4's cabin has less room at
99 cubic feet. The Chevy Equinox gives Concord travelers access to 30 cubic
feet of storage, while the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4 counter with 38 cubic
feet, along with a max cargo volume of 70 cubic feet. When Franklin drivers
fold the seats of the Chevrolet Equinox, they gain access to 64 cubic feet of
cargo space, which is more than enough for luggage on a family vacation or
weekend getaway.
Legroom
The RAV4 and Chevy Equinox provide Lebanon drivers
and those riding shotgun with 41 inches of front-row legroom, compared to 42
inches in the Ford Escape, which offers 40 inches in the second row. The Chevy
Equinox offers 40 inches of legroom for rear passengers, topping the Toyota
RAV4 at 38 inches.
Features
All three new SUVs have a power liftgate, with the
RAV4 and Chevy Equinox giving Lebanon drivers hands-free access for easier
loading and unloading. Ford's SUV doesn't have hands-free operation. Each SUV
has its own variation of a panoramic roof. With the panoramic sunroof, you can
let natural sunlight creep into the cabin of the Chevy Equinox on rides from
Keene, NH to Concord. The Ford Escape features a Panoramic Vista Roof® Escape,
while the Toyota RAV4 offers a panoramic glass roof.
Performance: Chevy Equinox vs. Ford Escape &
Toyota RAV4
Fuel Economy
All three SUVs are fuel-efficient, earning over 30
highway miles on New Hampshire highways and I-93 for trips between Lebanon and
Concord. The Chevy Equinox has fuel economy ratings of 26/31/28
(city/highway/combined) miles per gallon, similar to the Ford Escape (27/34/30
mpg) and the Toyota RAV4 (28/35/31 mpg).
Engines & AWD
Toyota's SUV doesn't have a turbocharged engine,
and the RAV4 only outputs 184 pound-feet of torque. The Chevy Equinox does a
better job of accelerating on the streets of Concord and Newport, NH with a
torque output of 203 pound-feet through its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The
Ford Escape's base EcoBoost® 3-cylinder engine also provides less torque at 190
pound-feet, and its 181-horsepower output is only six additional horsepower
over the Chevy Equinox. The Chevrolet Equinox gives Concord motorists access to
Switchable AWD, matching all-wheel drive available in the other two
SUVs.
