What To Know
- Both the Suzuki XL7 and the Chevrolet Equinox come equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features to protect you and your passengers.
- In terms of technology and connectivity, the Suzuki XL7 and the Chevrolet Equinox offer a variety of features to keep you entertained and connected on the road.
- If you prefer a more stylish and fuel-efficient SUV with a more comprehensive suite of safety features, the Chevrolet Equinox is a better fit.
The compact SUV segment is fiercely competitive, with automakers vying for market share with their latest offerings. Two popular contenders in this arena are the Suzuki XL7 and the Chevrolet Equinox. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll pit these two vehicles head-to-head to help you make an informed decision about your next SUV purchase.
Exterior Design
The Suzuki XL7 exudes a rugged and utilitarian aesthetic, with its boxy silhouette and pronounced wheel arches. In contrast, the Chevrolet Equinox presents a more sleek and aerodynamic design, featuring flowing lines and a sloping roofline. Both SUVs offer a variety of exterior color options to match your personal style.
Interior Space and Comfort
Inside the cabin, the Suzuki XL7 boasts ample headroom and legroom in both rows of seats. It offers a spacious cargo area that can be expanded by folding down the rear seats. The Chevrolet Equinox provides a similar level of interior space, with comfortable seating for five passengers. Its cargo capacity is slightly smaller than that of the XL7, but still adequate for most daily needs.
Performance and Handling
Under the hood, the Suzuki XL7 is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive as standard, while all-wheel drive is available as an option. The Chevrolet Equinox, on the other hand, offers a more powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an upgrade.
In terms of handling, the Suzuki XL7 provides a comfortable and stable ride, even on rough terrain. The Chevrolet Equinox offers a more refined driving experience, with responsive steering and a well-tuned suspension.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel economy is an important consideration for many SUV buyers. The Suzuki XL7 with front-wheel drive achieves an EPA-estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, those numbers drop to 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The Chevrolet Equinox with front-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. With all-wheel drive, the fuel economy decreases to 25 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.
Safety Features
Both the Suzuki XL7 and the Chevrolet Equinox come equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features to protect you and your passengers. Standard safety features on the XL7 include lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Equinox offers a similar level of safety equipment, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane keep assist.
Technology and Connectivity
In terms of technology and connectivity, the Suzuki XL7 and the Chevrolet Equinox offer a variety of features to keep you entertained and connected on the road. The XL7 comes with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Equinox features an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a similar range of smartphone integration options.
Pricing and Value
The Suzuki XL7 has a starting price of $26,045 for the base L trim. The top-of-the-line Premium trim starts at $31,045. The Chevrolet Equinox has a slightly higher starting price of $28,000 for the L trim. The top-of-the-line Premier trim starts at $38,000.
Which SUV Is Right for You?
The Suzuki XL7 and the Chevrolet Equinox are both excellent choices in the compact SUV segment. The XL7 offers a more rugged and utilitarian design, while the Equinox provides a more refined and aerodynamic experience. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
If you prioritize affordability, spaciousness, and off-road capability, the Suzuki XL7 is a great option. If you prefer a more stylish and fuel-efficient SUV with a more comprehensive suite of safety features, the Chevrolet Equinox is a better fit.
Questions We Hear a Lot
Q: Which SUV has more horsepower?
A: The Chevrolet Equinox has a more powerful engine with 170 horsepower, compared to the 150 horsepower of the Suzuki XL7.
Q: Which SUV gets better gas mileage?
A: The Chevrolet Equinox with front-wheel drive gets better gas mileage than the Suzuki XL7 with front-wheel drive.
Q: Which SUV has more cargo space?
A: The Suzuki XL7 has a slightly larger cargo area than the Chevrolet Equinox.
Q: Which SUV has a lower starting price?
A: The Suzuki XL7 has a lower starting price than the Chevrolet Equinox.
Q: Which SUV has more advanced safety features?
A: Both the Suzuki XL7 and the Chevrolet Equinox offer a comprehensive suite of safety features, but the Equinox has a few additional features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.