Which Compact SUV Is Best for Adventurers: The Toyota RAV4 or Chevy Equinox?

Compact SUVs are quickly becoming the adventurer’s vehicle of choice. These models combine the capabilities of SUVs with the fuel economy of cars, making them perfect for the long freeway stretches between your home and destination, as well as for the rougher roads you might find once you get there.

We see a lot of outdoor enthusiasts at our dealership who want to check out a Toyota RAV4 for sale but are also considering the Chevy Equinox. Both are well-priced options from trusted names, making them worthy contenders for your next great adventure vehicle. However, in taking a closer look at the unique features each one has to offer, we are confident that the RAV4 is the better option for drivers who escape the city on a regular basis. So, let’s review the attributes we think adventurers will be glad to call their own with a new RAV4…

In Terms of All-Wheel Drive

Both of these vehicles make all-wheel drive available for their powertrains. This means that you can get traction on all four of your wheels evenly. If you plan on leaving paved roads for dirt ones (or other bumpy, slippery surfaces), an all-wheel drivetrain would be a great investment; without it, poor road or weather conditions could cause you to lose traction, putting you at risk of spinning out or getting into a collision.

Here’s where the RAV4 stands out: it has available torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. This special system sends torque independently to each rear wheel, adjusting for road conditions. So, while standard all-wheel drive simply sends the same amount of torque to all of your wheels at the same time, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive monitors the road conditions and understands just which wheel needs just what amount of torque.

So, why does having torque-vectoring all-wheel drive matter? Because it lets you keep steering your vehicle exactly as you want to, without any sudden pulling one way or another. Not surprisingly, you’ll find it on the TRD Off-Road trim, which is specifically designed for unruly road conditions. So, while the Equinox might be okay on a simple dirt road, it can yield a pretty rough ride on more untamed off-road surfaces.

Concerning Their Fuel-Efficient Variants

If drivers look to these vehicles to explore remote places, deep in nature, then it’s likely in line with their customers’ sympathies for automakers to provide hybrid or electric variants of their most popular models. People who visit nature tend to care about the planet and might not want to pollute pristine destinations with fumes from traditional gas engines.

Thus, both the Equinox and the RAV4 have alternative fuel versions. However, the RAV4 gets drivers two options, whereas the Equinox only gets drivers one. Not only that, but the options are completely different.

The RAV4 is available as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and a hybrid (HEV). Meanwhile, the Equinox is only available in a pure EV, meaning there’s no gas engine in it whatsoever. What does this mean for drivers? Well, it means that if you’re driving the Equinox, you’d better make sure you hit the road with a full battery charge—at least for your out-of-town excursions—or you can pray you’ll find a charging station along the way. They are easier to find today than they used to be, but gas stations are, of course, still far more abundant than EV charging stations.

When you’re driving an HEV or a PHEV, you can rely on the motor or the gas engine to keep you going. So, if you find that your battery is running low, you can switch to relying on traditional fuel. A lot of this is a matter of preference, but many drivers find pure EVs more limiting than HEVs or PHEVs. For now, the Equinox only comes in either a 100% gas engine model or as a pure EV. The RAV4 comes in a pure gas engine model, an HEV, and a PHEV, so you can rely on gas, regenerative braking, plug-in charging, or some combination of these to get where you’re going.

If you do choose to go with the traditional gas model of either of these vehicles, you will still enjoy excellent fuel economy figures. But, for those looking for an alternative powertrain, you get more options (and more versatile options) in the RAV4.

Get Greater Ground Clearance

Ground clearance is one of the most important characteristics to examine when shopping for an adventure vehicle. When you have good ground clearance, you can drive over shallow bodies of water with confidence in knowing it won’t drown critical components of your vehicle. You can also casually cruise down trails that are littered with fallen branches or small boulders, and you can crest more sudden changes in grade. Plus, a boost in ground clearances gives you better visibility of what’s to come. Finally, there’s no denying that an elevated vehicle just looks cool.

The ground clearance discrepancy between the RAV4 and the Equinox is rather noteworthy. On some trims of the RAV4, you can get up to 8.6 inches of ground clearance. However, the most you can hope for in the Equinox is 8.0 inches. If you plan on tackling rough roads, that extra half-inch could make a difference, as it gives you the freedom to explore more terrain and can protect your vehicle’s undercarriage.

When drivers tell us they plan on going off-roading, we can’t confidently send them away in an Equinox; it has to be a RAV4.

Rolling With the Right Tires

Tires are another essential element of an adventure vehicle, as they determine what sorts of terrain you can tackle (as well as what you have to avoid). The Equinox does not impress with its tires, as it just has all-season tires for each of its trims; this means it’s basically equipped to handle moderate weather on paved ground.

Meanwhile, the RAV4 has available all-terrain tires. All-terrain tires can, as their name promises, tackle all sorts of terrain. So whether that’s a muddy path, a dirt road, or sand, the all-terrain tires of the RAV4 can handle it without causing you to get stuck or spin out.

Top Towing Capacities

There’s also no denying that the RAV4 has superior towing figures compared to the Equinox. The Equinox can only tow 1,500 lbs, regardless of the trim you get. However, some RAV4 trims can tow up to 3,500 lbs. That’s more than twice the towing power of the Equinox, which means more adventure possibilities in the ways of ATVing, boating, dirt biking—you name it. You could not only pull a loaded trailer but another car!

Find Your RAV4 at Westchester Toyota

If you’re ready to find the next vehicle that’ll accompany you on your great adventures, come check out the RAV4. We proudly carry this rugged and refined compact SUV, and our team of experts can help you select your ideal trim. We always offer competitive pricing, so every day is a good day to stop by and see what we have in store.

It’s important to us that our shoppers have the features that will facilitate their diverse adventures. When shoppers ask us if the RAV4 or the Equinox is better suited for the road less traveled, we are compelled to steer them toward the RAV4. Come find yours today and start exploring!

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