The 2022 Chevy Equinox has starting prices ranging from $27,695 to $32,895 and is among the most popular compact crossovers on the market. It offers a roomy cabin with tons of passenger space, exciting on-road agility, and modern high-tech features, but so do many of the other options in its segment.
The Mazda CX-5 is equal parts beautiful, safe, and fun-to-drive, making it a top competitor for the Chevrolet Equinox.
The Chevrolet Equinox competes directly against the Honda CR-V, one of the best-rated and most competitive compact SUVs on the market.
The Ford Escape offers a great alternative to the Chevy Equinox for buyers who are looking for a lot of customization options.
combines sculpted and athletic exterior styling with a considerably expensive looking interior for a relatively affordable SUV. Match this beauty with the optional 256-horsepower turbo engine for undoubtedly fun driving.
Best of all: The Mazda CX-5 earned a perfect 5/5 rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) thanks to standard safety features including:
Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Adaptive cruise control
2. Toyota RAV4
Starting price: $28,310 to $38,250
Selling points: Powerful engine, great fuel economy, sporty styling
Weak spot: Noisy engine, lack of luxury features on entry-level model
lives up to its rugged SUV looks thanks to its standard 203-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and optional all-wheel drive. The inside is relatively simplistic, especially on the base model.
It offers impressive fuel economy (up to 35 MPG on the highway), although you’ll have to sacrifice a quiet cabin.
offers great value considering its luxurious and roomy interior and plucky 237-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with all-wheel drive and an ultra-responsive six-speed automatic transmission.
The interior is nothing short of luxurious, combining quality materials with functional features. There’s plenty of space for passengers in the front and back, but—unfortunately—the cargo space is quite tight.
4. Honda CR-V
Starting price: $28,045 to $39,045
Selling points: Quick acceleration, large cargo space, good fuel economy
is one of the best-rated vehicles in its class, thanks to a long list of standard features like automatic climate control and adaptive cruise control, as well as remarkable fuel economy (especially if you select the hybrid trim).
Keep in mind: You’ll have to upgrade to higher-level trims for more desirable and refined features, such as:
Blind-spot monitoring
Dual-zone climate control
Heated front seats
A power-adjustable driver's seat
7-inch touchscreen infotainment screen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
5. Nissan Rogue
Starting price: $28,445 to $38,225
Selling points: Smooth ride, refined cabin, modern technology, generous cargo space
is a smooth and refined family-friendly vehicle with a plush interior, thoughtful storage cubbies, and a spacious cargo area.
Adding to the refinement is a host of modern technology. An 8-inch infotainment screen is standard, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. More high-end technology, such as in-dash navigation and a Bose stereo system, is available as an option.
is in a smaller class than the Equinox—defined as a subcompact SUV rather than a compact one—but it’s still a worthy competitor.
The Soul stands out with its quirky cube shape, which provides plenty of room for adult passengers and an impressive amount of cargo space. While you’ll sacrifice a few features for its smaller size, you’ll enjoy a much lower price tag than the Equinox offers.
You might also sacrifice quite a few standard safety features, as well as the Equinox’s much higher reliability rating. Kia does offer an impressive warranty, however—with a limited warranty lasting for 5 years/60,000 miles and a powertrain warranty lasting 10 years/100,000 miles.
7. Subaru Forester
Starting price: $27,070 to $36,420
Selling points: Lots of passenger and cargo space, standard all-wheel drive, surprisingly comfortable interior.
is one of the most outdoorsy SUVs on the market with ample cargo space and a long list of standard safety features earning it a 5/5 safety rating from the NHTSA.
Standard interior technology in the Subaru Forester includes:
Subaru's latest Starlink interface
Standard 6.5-inch touchscreen OR 8.0-inch touchscreen on higher trims
Four USB ports
Optional navigation
Onboard 4G LTE WI-FI
Automated emergency braking
Lane-keeping assist and lane-departure warning
Adaptive Cruise Control
8. Ford Escape
Starting price: $28,660 to $42,120
Selling points: Diverse powertrain options, adorable styling
Weak spot: Basic entry-level models, practical but not exciting
The 2022 Ford Escape offers a competitive diversity of trims and the following powertrain options: