Chevy Equinox vs Toyota RAV4: 2027 Equinox vs 2026 RAV4 Compared
Last updated: October 19, 2026 | Emich Chevrolet, Lakewood | Specs from each manufacturer
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is now sold only as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, so this is a gas vs hybrid comparison. The 2027 Chevy Equinox uses a 1.5L turbo gas engine and starts $2,600 below the RAV4 Hybrid LE. The RAV4 answers with higher EPA ratings, more power and more cargo room. Here’s how they compare for Denver drivers on price, fuel economy, space, towing, tech and safety.
Quick Verdict
The 2027 Equinox is the lower-cost way into a new compact SUV. The LT FWD starts at $29,300 vs $31,900 for the RAV4 Hybrid LE, and every Equinox has an 11.3-inch touchscreen, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The 2026 RAV4 costs more up front, but EPA rates it at 43 mpg combined (FWD) vs 27 for the Equinox, and it has 226 hp, more cargo room and a higher towing rating. If you drive a lot of miles, the RAV4’s hybrid efficiency is hard to ignore. If you want to keep the purchase price down, the Equinox is the better fit.
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Equinox vs RAV4: How They Match Up
Toyota no longer sells a gas-only RAV4; every 2026 RAV4 is a hybrid or plug-in hybrid, and Toyota has not published 2027 RAV4 pricing. That shapes the price gap. The Equinox LT FWD starts at $29,300 and the RAV4 Hybrid LE FWD at $31,900. Chevrolet’s destination charge is $1,995 and Toyota’s is $1,595, so with destination it’s $31,295 vs $33,495. With AWD, the Equinox LT starts at $31,300 and the RAV4 LE at $33,300 ($33,295 vs $34,895 with destination).
The RAV4’s 2.5L hybrid makes 226 net hp with FWD and 236 hp with AWD, vs 175 hp from the Equinox’s 1.5L turbo. Toyota doesn’t publish a combined torque figure; the Equinox makes up to 203 lb-ft with AWD. EPA rates the RAV4 Hybrid LE at 43 mpg combined with FWD and 42 mpg with AWD. The Equinox is rated 27 mpg (FWD) and 26 mpg (AWD). On fuel economy, the RAV4 wins clearly.
The RAV4 has up to 37.8 cu ft behind the rear seat and 70.4 cu ft max, vs 29.8 and 63.5 cu ft for the Equinox. The Equinox gives rear passengers more legroom: 39.9 inches vs 37.8. Every RAV4 Hybrid grade tows at least 1,750 lbs, and AWD SE and up are rated 3,500 lbs. The Equinox is rated up to 1,500 lbs with AWD and proper equipment (800 lbs with FWD). Ground clearance is close: 8.05 to 8.20 inches for the Equinox, 8.1 for the RAV4 and 8.5 for the RAV4 Woodland. NHTSA has not rated the 2026 RAV4 or the 2027 Equinox yet.
2027 Equinox vs 2026 RAV4 Specs
| Spec | 2027 Chevy Equinox | 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 1.5L turbo I-4 (gas) | 2.5L I-4 hybrid |
| Starting MSRP (FWD) | $29,300 (LT) | $31,900 (LE) |
| Starting MSRP (AWD) | $31,300 (LT) | $33,300 (LE) |
| Destination charge | $1,995 | $1,595 |
| Price with destination (FWD) | $31,295 | $33,495 |
| Horsepower | 175 hp | 226 hp (FWD); 236 hp (AWD) |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft (FWD); 203 lb-ft (AWD) | Combined figure not published |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | ECVT |
| EPA combined mpg (FWD) | 27 | 43 |
| EPA combined mpg (AWD) | 26 | 38–42 (42 on LE, SE) |
| Max towing | 1,500 lbs (AWD, properly equipped); 800 lbs (FWD) | 3,500 lbs (AWD SE and up); 1,750 lbs (others) |
| Cargo behind rear seat | 29.8 cu ft | Up to 37.8 cu ft |
| Max cargo | 63.5 cu ft | 70.4 cu ft |
| Rear legroom | 39.9 in | 37.8 in |
| Ground clearance | 8.05–8.20 in | 8.1 in; 8.5 in (Woodland) |
| Touchscreen / driver display | 11.3 in / 11 in | 10.5 in (12.9 in on XSE, Limited) / 12.3 in |
Sources: Chevrolet.com and Chevrolet Build & Price (ZIP 80226), toyota.com 2026 RAV4 specs and disclosures, Toyota’s full-line pricing (updated October 2, 2026), fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA, checked October 19, 2026. Prices are starting MSRP excluding destination unless noted. Toyota has published no 2027 RAV4 pricing, so the 2026 model is shown. Bold marks the better figure.
By the Numbers
EPA combined fuel economy
fueleconomy.gov ratings. RAV4 AWD figure is for the LE and SE.
Horsepower
Cargo space
Gas vs Hybrid: What the Price Gap Buys
Choosing between these two means choosing between a gas SUV and a hybrid. The RAV4 Hybrid LE FWD costs $2,600 more than the Equinox LT FWD before destination, or $2,200 more with destination. In return, it uses less fuel. Based on EPA combined ratings, the Equinox FWD uses about 37 gallons per 1,000 miles and the RAV4 Hybrid FWD about 23.
How quickly that difference adds up depends on how far you drive. Toyota covers the RAV4’s hybrid battery for 10 years or 150,000 miles and includes ToyotaCare scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles. Toyota also sells a RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid from $41,500 with 324 hp. Chevrolet doesn’t offer a hybrid Equinox; its electric compact SUV is the separate Equinox EV.
Reasons to Choose Each
Why choose the 2027 Equinox
- Lower price: $29,300 vs $31,900 to start, and $2,200 less with destination.
- More rear legroom: 39.9 vs 37.8 inches.
- Standard 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in (service plan required).
- Heated front seats, heated steering wheel, remote start and Adaptive Cruise Control on every trim.
- 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance (Toyota’s is 2 years with unlimited miles).
Why choose the 2026 RAV4
- EPA 43 mpg combined (FWD) and 42 mpg (AWD LE and SE).
- 226 to 236 net hp from the hybrid powertrain.
- More cargo room: up to 37.8 cu ft behind the rear seat and 70.4 cu ft max.
- Tows at least 1,750 lbs on every hybrid grade and 3,500 lbs on AWD SE and up.
- ToyotaCare scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles.
Interior and Technology
Every 2027 Equinox has an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, an 11-inch Driver Information Center, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Google built-in features require a service plan. Wireless charging is standard on ACTIV and RS and part of the LT’s $2,050 Convenience Package II. Chevy Safety Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Zone Steering Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking and Reverse Automatic Braking are standard on every trim. The $1,140 Safety and Technology Package adds HD Surround Vision, a Rear Camera Mirror and the new Interior Camera.
Every RAV4 has a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen is 10.5 inches on LE, SE, XLE Premium and Woodland and 12.9 inches on XSE and Limited. Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are standard. Traffic Jam Assist, standard on Woodland, XSE and Limited, can control the vehicle under 25 mph on controlled-access highways and needs a Drive Connect trial or subscription. Toyota doesn’t describe it as hands-free, and neither SUV offers hands-free driving.
The Bottom Line
Both seat five and offer AWD for Colorado winters. Compare the Equinox with other rivals in our Chevy Equinox guide, browse Equinox inventory, check current Chevrolet offers, or get a trade-in value from our buying center.
Pick the Equinox if you want a lower purchase price, more rear legroom and a simple gas powertrain. Pick the RAV4 if fuel economy, power, cargo room or towing matter more to you than its higher starting price.
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Equinox vs RAV4 FAQs
Is there a gas-only Toyota RAV4?
Not for 2026. Toyota sells the 2026 RAV4 as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid only, and it has not published 2027 RAV4 pricing. The 2027 Equinox is gas only.
Is the Equinox cheaper than the RAV4?
Yes. The 2027 Equinox LT FWD starts at $29,300 and the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid LE FWD at $31,900, excluding destination. With destination ($1,995 Chevrolet, $1,595 Toyota), it’s $31,295 vs $33,495. With AWD, it’s $31,300 vs $33,300 before destination.
Which gets better gas mileage, the Equinox or RAV4?
The RAV4. EPA rates the RAV4 Hybrid at up to 43 mpg combined (FWD). The 2027 Equinox is rated 27 mpg with FWD and 26 mpg with AWD.
Which tows more, the Equinox or RAV4?
The RAV4. Every 2026 RAV4 Hybrid grade is rated at least 1,750 lbs, and the AWD SE, XLE Premium, Woodland, XSE and Limited are rated 3,500 lbs. The 2027 Equinox is rated up to 1,500 lbs with AWD and proper equipment, or 800 lbs with FWD. See our Chevy towing guide.
Do the Equinox and RAV4 have NHTSA safety ratings?
Not overall ratings. NHTSA lists the 2026 RAV4 as not rated and has not rated the 2027 Equinox yet. The 2026 Equinox earned 5 stars in side crash tests but has no overall rating. IIHS has rated the 2025 to 2027 Equinox but has not posted ratings for the current RAV4.
Sources: chevrolet.com 2027 and 2026 Equinox pages, chevrolet.com Build & Price, GM News, fueleconomy.gov and NHTSA for Chevrolet; each competitor’s official website, specifications, price sheets and press materials, fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA and IIHS for the rival, reviewed October 19, 2026. MSRP excludes destination, tax, title, license, dealer fees and options; destination charges differ by brand. EPA estimates; actual mileage will vary. Towing ratings depend on configuration and equipment and are for comparison only; review the owner’s manual before towing. Driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle safely; read the owner’s manual for feature limitations. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Emich Chevrolet sells new Chevrolet vehicles.