The 2019 Chevy Equinox vs. Traverse
The decision to buy a new car is an exciting one to tackle, but it can also be full of doubt and uncertainty. The vehicle you pick may be with you for the next several years, so you want to make the smartest choice possible. The problem is that many opinions on what’s best don’t take your personal needs into consideration.
If you’re lucky, you’ve managed to narrow down the sea of choices to two options, leaving you with the ultimate dilemma: Chevy Traverse vs Equinox. The question isn’t necessarily which is better, but which is better for you?
Once again, we’ve broken down the most valuable features to consider when choosing your new ride in 2019. Decide what matters the most to you and pick the one that delivers on those key components.
Safety Feature Comparison
Like earlier models, the 2019 Chevy Traverse has once again achieved a NHTSA 5-star rating when it comes to safety. It’s packed full of advanced technology that steps in automatically when a collision risk is detected. A surround camera allows for greater visibility in crowded areas and offers rear-park assist to avoid costly fender benders. Though the Traverse is the slight winner here, the 2019 Chevy Equinox does have some fantastic features as well. For example, you still get lane assist, forward breaking, and rear-park assist, and it has also succeeded in obtaining a NHTSA 5-star rating. Both cars have been crash tested for supreme durability and feature adaptive cruise control for better speed management in heavy traffic areas.
Chevy delivers a safe vehicle in either option. Distracted driving continues to be a problem, and the Equinox and Traverse offer solutions to prevent crashes under these circumstances.
Fuel Efficiency Comparison
In an age where energy efficiency has become such a high priority, it’s no wonder drivers still place a great deal of importance on the fuel economy of their vehicle. With gas prices always in flux, you want a car that’s going to get you further on a full tank.
Although this category has a clear winner, it’s certainly not by a landslide. The Equinox has superior performance in this area, performing at 32 miles per gallon on the highway, while the Traverse only has an estimated 27 miles per gallon.
A key thing to remember here is that smaller vehicles usually perform better on fuel efficiency, so it’s something you’re giving up if you opt for a bigger car. It’s not a terribly big sacrifice when you consider how close the numbers of the Traverse and the Equinox really are, and neither one is particularly bad in this area. A range of 27-32 mpg teeters between average and above average when compared to other vehicles.
If fuel efficiency is the deciding factor for you, you’ll probably want the Equinox. If you have other needs that are of equal importance, the Traverse is still a good option in this category if it has other features that you love.
Storage and Passenger Capacity Comparison
Big families will want to pay special attention to the expanded size of both vehicles. Whether you’ve got an army of kids on your own or you’re the go-to carpool driver, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got plenty of seats to accommodate everyone.
The Traverse is the better car when it comes to storage and passenger capacity for a couple of reasons. The most basic is the 98.2 cubic feet of cargo room, which far exceeds the 63.9 feet you’ll get with the Equinox. The Traverse seats up to 8 people, with a lot of flexibility to boot. The seats in the Traverse can fold down completely flat, expanding your cargo space.
The comfort level of your passengers may be slightly higher in the Traverse, due to its rear heated seats and convenient USB ports in each row. The Equinox still excels by offering dual-zone climate control, but these small bonus features edge the Traverse a bit higher in terms of passenger comfort.
You’ve also got rooftop cargo options in both cars, allowing you to expand your space for luggage and other necessities. On a long road trip, this can make a huge difference.
Ultimately, the Traverse wins this category. It qualifies as a mid-size SUV, while the Equinox is better described as a small SUV. Either way, you’ve still got more storage and passenger room than the typical compact vehicle.
Infotainment Technology Comparison
Infotainment is a category that was missing from many older vehicles, but it’s become a priority for most drivers today. The need to stay connected is more important than ever. The right infotainment features can prevent drivers from being distracted, keeping both them and pedestrians safe.
Regardless of whether you get the Equinox or the Traverse, you’ll have a 4G LTE Wi Fi hotspot built right in. Not only does this mean you won’t have to use your cell phone data while you’re on the road, but it can be really helpful in dead spots where it’s difficult to establish a connection.
Both vehicles give you Android and Apple compatibility, so you can integrate your device’s music into the car’s superior Bose speakers. Other similarities include an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation features and USB ports. You also get satellite radio as another add-on.
It’s clear that neither vehicle is really wanting for technological advancement. You can’t go wrong either way on this category, putting the Equinox and Traverse neck and neck here. Know that if infotainment is important to you, you’re going to have the best features in the auto industry in either car.
Performance Comparison
When you put the base models of these cars in a battle of Equinox vs Traverse, a triumphant victor soon emerges. Only with the Traverse do you get a 6-cylinder engine at the intro price. Unlike the Equinox’s
6-speed automatic transmission, the Traverse starts off with an incredible 9-speed option. The Traverse also offers up 310 horsepower, giving it superior torque out on the road.
Both cars provide the option of either FWD or AWD once you move up to the second trim level. You’ll also get handling features to keep you on the right path, such as auto-braking and collision detection. The Traverse and Equinox both have lane assist available and offer powerful headlights and cooling capability.
If you want a more powerful engine, you’ll want to go with the Traverse. It fires on six cylinders across the board vs. the Equinox’s four, though the latter still has a turbocharge that gets the job done.
Pricing for Equinox vs Traverse
If affordability is important to you, then the Equinox is going to be more attractive. With a starting price of $23,800, it’s about $6,000 less than the Traverse, which starts at $29,930. Looking at numbers alone, the Equinox is clearly the better deal, but before you sign up for the cheaper of the two, you need to consider what exactly you’re getting for the price.
The absence of some upgrades may be a deal-breaker, so you might have to budget these add-ons into your target price. For the Equinox, you’ll want a trim upgrade if you value any of the following features:
• AWD
• Keyless open
• 9-speed auto transmission
• Seat warmers
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear camera
• 2.0 Turbo engine
Equinox models that come equipped with these features range anywhere from $25,000 up to $32,000. On the other hand, the Traverse has far more trim options with upgrade prices in the ballpark of $33,000 up to $54,000. Although this seems like a steep price difference, there are some neat features that you’ll get with the Traverse and not the Equinox. These include a surround vision camera and an even more powerful engine.
Ultimately, both vehicles have options available for any type of budget. The Equinox has a much lower entry price, but it can certainly elevate to match the Traverse if you opt for a specific trim package.
Custom Feature Comparison
These variations in price start to paint a picture of just how customizable both cars really are. With 13 color options, the Equinox has a greater number of choices over the Traverse’s mere eight colors.
Aside from the hot paint of your new car, the Traverse wins the award for customizability. It touts six trim levels vs. four for the Equinox. You have the option of a 3.6L V6 engine, along with other impressive tech add-ons, such as forward auto brake, collision alert, and an indicator of following distance.
Both cars give you the power to choose select features for your unique drive style, but the Traverse takes it to a slightly higher level. Not only are there more customizable components, but there are also new ones that the Equinox lacks.
A driver in need of a few potential upgrades will likely find what he or she needs in the Equinox. Those who are looking for more advanced performance and some nifty tech features should probably lean more towards the Traverse.
How do you pick the Traverse vs Equinox
When you really look closely at the difference between Equinox and Traverse, there really is no wrong way to go. Both vehicles are winners in their own way, and you’ll be driving in style and luxury no matter which car you buy. There are, however, some valuable conclusions to note.
With a higher base price, it’s no surprise that the Traverse gives you more at entry-level than the Equinox. You have a more powerful engine, along with more cargo room and passenger seating. However, the Equinox has its pros here too; it can be easier to maneuver, and its lightweight body offers superior fuel efficiency.
If you’re someone that really likes to dissect the features and pick and choose what you want, the Traverse has a couple of extra trim options to give you that customizability. You’ll have more color choices with the Equinox, but the Traverse still covers all the classics, including a sleek black or a fiery red.
Infotainment is a greater priority than it ever was, and Chevy meets the need by offering up stellar features in either model. You won’t have to worry about staying connected when you’re behind the wheel of a Traverse or Equinox.
The right decision is ultimately the one that makes the most sense for your preferences. Think about what matters most to you and get the car that fits the bill. If you want to get up close and personal to make your choice, head to your nearest Valley Chevy dealership to let your eyes be the judge. Take both for a test drive to experience each car’s features firsthand and see which feels the best. Regardless of the final decision, you’ll have a reliable set of wheels to take you through the next stretch of road.
