The compact SUV segment is crowded, and two of the names that come up most often are the Chevrolet Equinox and the Toyota RAV4. If you're comparing them, the useful question is which one fits the way you drive and what you want standard. Here is how the 2027 Equinox and the RAV4 compare in the areas most shoppers ask about.
Powertrain
The Equinox uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder rated at 175 horsepower. With front-wheel drive and a CVT it produces 184 lb-ft of torque. With all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, torque is 203 lb-ft.
The RAV4 uses a 2.5-liter hybrid four-cylinder with a CVT. It is rated at 226 horsepower with front-wheel drive and 236 horsepower with all-wheel drive. On paper, the RAV4 has the higher horsepower figure, and the hybrid system is its main selling point. The best way to judge the difference is behind the wheel, on roads you drive every day.
Technology
The Equinox comes with an 11.3-inch touchscreen, Google built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The RAV4 has a 10.5-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. If you like built-in navigation and voice features that don't depend on your phone, Google built-in is worth a close look.
Comfort: Heated Seats and Steering Wheel
Anyone who has scraped a windshield in Bloomington in January knows why this matters. On the Equinox, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are standard. On the RAV4 they are available, but you pay extra for them.
Safety Features
Both SUVs come standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. One difference is rear automatic braking, which is standard on the Equinox and an available feature on the RAV4.
Side-by-Side Summary
| Feature | 2027 Chevrolet Equinox | Toyota RAV 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L turbo I4, 175 hp | 2.5L hybrid I4, 226 hp (FWD), 236 hp (AWD) |
| Touchscreen | 11.3-inch, Google built-in | 10.5-inch |
| Wireless CarPlay/ Android Auto | Standard | Standard |
| Heated Seats and Steering Wheel | Standard | Available at extra cost |
| Rear Automatic Braking | Standard | Available |
Which One Is Right for You?
If you want the most standard features and a larger screen with Google built-in, the Equinox makes a strong case. If a hybrid powertrain and higher horsepower matter most, the RAV4 deserves a look. Either way, compare them back to back, and ask for pricing on the exact trims you are considering so you are comparing equipped vehicles, not just base models.
Our team at Curry Auto Center in Bloomington can walk you through the Equinox and answer your questions. Stop by 2906 E Buick Cadillac Blvd, call us at (812) 650-0657, or browse our inventory online to schedule a test drive.