Besides for trucks, the next biggest vehicle body style in the U.S is the compact crossover, and most popular one of those is none other than the Toyota RAV4. But there are more than 12 other options out there from big rivals, the newest of which is just now reaching dealerships: the all-new 2025 Chevy Equinox. So, who wins in a 2025 Chevy Equinox vs. 2024 Toyota RAV4 battle? That’s what we are about to find out!
Pricing and Equipment
So, first off, let’s discuss pricing for these two family SUVs.
Starting with the popular RAV4, we have the sporty-yet-high-end XSE trim level. Toyota offers quite a few options, and our tester checked almost all of those, making its total price $41,985, after destination.
RAV4 (Hybrid XSE AWD): $36,885 | Options: +$3,765 | Destination: $1,335 | Total: $41,985
Moving to the all-new Equinox, you’ll find a very similar price point for this sporty and well-equipped trim. It comes standard with everything, and after destination, makes its grand total around $1,500 less than the RAV4.
Equinox (RS AWD): $35,000 | Options: +$4,025 | Destination: $1,395 | Total: $40,420
By the way, if you want to get the best price from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that. Click here for more information!
Exterior Design
Starting with the exteriors, you’ll see that that both crossovers are emphasizing a sporty design in these trim levels. For the all-new Equinox, Chevy has introduced a more squared off and butch design, giving it a mini-Traverse look. In the same way, this generation of the RAV4 has always had a mini-4Runner look to it, and that continues on this year, along with full-LED lighting up front. Equinox also has LED headlights and LED foglamps which the Toyota is missing out on.
Continuing to the sides, both models spice up the designs by offering optional black roofs for a two-tone look. The Chevy has about 3 extra inches of length to play with, but we will see later on if that actually translates to more rear seat room or cargo capacity.
Length: 180.9-inches (RAV4) | 183.2-inches (Equinox)
For wheels, you’ll find large contrast 19-inch alloy wheels on the Equinox, with the option of going to 20’s, compared to the Toyota which maxes out at 18-inches on this trim.
We will also be checking on ride quality as well later on, but as far as the back features, the Equinox has full-LED taillights instead of partial ones on the RAV4.
If you’re looking to tow, the Hybrid RAV4 can move about 15% more weight at 1,750 lbs. vs. the Equinox’s 1,500 lbs.
Towing: 1,750 lbs. (RAV4) | 1,500 lbs. (Equinox)
Additional Features
Now moving on to some individual features, you’ll find nice mirrors on both. They have BSM, heating, and LED turn signals.
But family SUVs need to be safe, and one of the really nice things about these two is that all four of your major active safety features are included standard. If you were wondering about SuperCruise, it is not offered on the Chevy, so both these crossovers require full hands-on driving.
Their warranties are also mostly the same as well, besides for the Toyota’s 2 years/25k miles of complimentary maintenance.
But Chevy has really upped the interior experience even more than the outside, so let’s get into that.
Interior Design
Approaching both SUVs, they have smart entry systems with nice key fobs. Remote start is built into the Chevy’s key fob free forever.
Note: Toyota’s remote start can also be activated via the app or key fob during the trial period.
Only the RAV4 has sensors behind the door handles to unlock, but after opening the doors, you’re going to be greeted with highly functional and high-tech environments.
Before we dig into the features, let’s start with the seats. Both models are using faux leather with contrast stitching and have 8-way power adjustments with memory. They also are heated but only our Chevy has ventilation since you must spend even more money to get them on the already-more-expensive RAV4.
Now once inside the cabins, let’s check out the major point category of material quality. The Equinox makes big improvements with the new generation but doesn’t attempt to rival the best options in the class. The RAV4 has more soft materials around the cabin, such as on the door trims, and it uses a more realistic leatherette trim on the dash as opposed to a textured rubbery material.
After startup, you’ll see a large digital gauge cluster on both. The Toyota’s measures in at 12.3 inches and the Chevy’s 11 inches. That’s an 11% advantage for Toyota in screen real estate, but it’s only the Chevy that can display pertinent information such as Google maps in the gauges.
Neither have the option of a head up display, and moving back, they both have heated, leather wrapped steering wheels, as equipped.
Storage and Technology
Now it’s time to evaluate another major interior section: storage. This is a big deal for many families, and in this regard, both are awesome. They have huge center consoles that can fit tons of stuffed donuts or whatever else you want to put in there. There are big bins in front of that with wireless phone charging pads, and then RAV4 has a passenger storage shelf, and the Equinox has a center pass through.
The reason Chevy can accommodate that pass-through space is that it has an electronic column shifter. Operation is simple and when in reverse, you’ll find a 360-degree camera system on both.
Next, we have the climate controls which are both dual-zone and fully controlled with physical knobs, and then volume knobs above that. Interestingly, no version of the Chevy offers an up-level audio experience right now, so even this loaded RS only has a 6-speaker sound system. The Toyota includes their JBL 11-speaker setup which has better sound quality by far.
Equinox: 6-speaker audio
RAV4: 11-speaker 800-watt JBL Premium audio
People want a high level of technology in cars nowadays, so let’s move to the key element of displays. As far as the sizing, Equinox has about 7% more real estate with an 11.3-inch display vs. a 10.5-inch one.
And then software-wise, both have highly desirable features like wireless AA and ACP, as well as built-in navigation. The nice thing about Chevy’s system is that its Android-based, giving it Google apps like Maps, Assistant and the Play Store natively.
As we wrap up the front of the cabins, both have auto-dimming mirrors with HomeLink remotes, and the rear camera functionality if you flip the switch. Both also have large panoramic moonroofs that open.
Rear Seats and Cargo
People of all walks of life buy compact crossovers, but they are extremely common for families with kids, so let’s dive into the important back seats. Both are going to have impressive amounts of space. The Equinox wins the legroom race with just under 40-inches of it and the RAV4 wins on headroom, but neither of them get any points since the % difference is under the 5% threshold to score a point.
Equinox: Legroom: 39.7 inches | Headroom: 37.8 inches
RAV4: 37.8 inches of legroom | 39.5-inches of headroom
Now that that’s out of the way, they also have quite a few features. Both give you USB ports and rear vents, but only the Equinox has the heated rear seats. That’s something once again only on the more expensive RAV4 Limited.
Now let’s see how much stuff you can bring along with you for the journey. Both have power tailgates with hands-free ability, and once they open, you’ll find a large 23% advantage in the RAV4 behind the 2nd row of seats. When you fold the seats down, the maximum cargo figures are closer but the RAV4 still has a 9.5% advantage.
RAV4: Behind 2nd row: 37.6 cubic feet | Max: 69.8 cu.ft
Equinox: Behind 2nd row: 29.8 cu. ft | Maximum: 63.5 cu. ft (w/ pano)
Both models have a spare tire.
This has certainly been a tight race so far, but now it’s time to take this fight out to the street!
Powertrains
So, one of the biggest differences between these two occurs under the hoods. The Equinox keeps its 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder from the last generation as its one-and-only powertrain, which is making 175 horsepower. This is one of the lowest power figures in the class, but several of the RAV4’s trims, including this XSE, are Hybrid-exclusive. In this case, its Toyota’s 4th gen hybrid system combining a 2.5L 4-cylinder and electric componentry for 219 hp. Regardless of your preference on hybrid vs. pure gas, the RAV4 is significantly quicker when accelerating because of its additional 45 horsepower.
RAV4: 2.5L I-4 + Elec: 219 hp
Equinox: 1.5L Turbo I-4: 175 hp | 203 lb.ft
When it comes to transmissions, the RAV4 uses an eCVT and the Chevy uses a new 8-speed automatic on AWD models. Both are nice and responsive.
The transmission contributes to the overall quieter and more refined experience of the Equinox when accelerating.
Test Drive and Fuel Economy
Now besides for NVH of the engines, you’re probably wondering how quiet the cabins are when cruising. Well, that’s why here at Car Confections, we take a sound-level reading of every vehicle we test on our channel. I do want to point out that the Equinox’s reading was taken in Minnesota on a press drive, so it is unofficial until we get it home to Kentucky on our local roads. But even with the rougher roads, the Chevy was very close to the RAV4 so that’s a good sign that both of them will be in the upper third of the segment.
RAV4: 56.7 dB @ 55 MPH
Equinox: 57.5 dB @ 55 MPH
Now let’s talk about an important part for any family SUV, the ride quality. In this area, both impresses, although the RAV4 feels a bit more comfortable due to the smaller wheels and softer seats. The Equinox can now get up to 20-inch wheels, so be aware that this would likely negatively impact the ride.
Lastly, if fuel economy is front-of-mind to you then the RAV4 will make more sense. This hybrid system delivers phenomenal MPGs of 40 combined, while the traditional Equinox is coming in lower than the gas RAV4 and other gas rivals at 26 MPG combined. That will add up over the lifetime of owning the vehicle, and Chevy has no immediate plans to add a hybrid although they do have a full-electric model.
RAV4: 41/38/40 MPG
Equinox: 24/29/26 MPG
Resale and Reliability
In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP.
Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which takes into account several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. Both these brands rate very highly here. Chevy ranks 15 slots above the industry average for all brands in reliability, while Toyota is the very top brand for reliability, 16 slots above average.
We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, Toyota has the 2nd highest predicted resale value of 64.5% and Chevy a lot closer to the industry average at 54.7%.
Resale is obviously important because it determines how much money you get back, but we can’t forget about the price difference at the original purchase. The RAV4 costs $1,565 more than the Equinox.
I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.
2025 chevy equinox vs. 2024 toyota rav4!
So, there you have it; another intense compact crossover comparison is in the books. But let’s recap a little bit and discuss who should be your personal winner.
Equinox:
- Lower price tag
- Advanced technology on all trims
- LED foglamps
- Some premium features available for less money
RAV4:
- More powerful
- Way better fuel economy
- Better resale value
- Audio system
Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!
Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!
Recent Comments