Starting at
Starting at
| 27/35 | Fuel Economy (city/highway) | 26/31 |
| 181 | Horsepower (HP) | 170 |
| 74.1 | Max Cargo Volume (cu.ft.) | 63.9 |
Although crossovers have been around the automotive industry since the 1980s, thanks to models like the AMC Eagle, they didn’t truly come into their own until the new millennium. Around this time, crossovers were marketed to families looking for the comfort and efficiency of a sedan and the spaciousness of an SUV. This new marketing strategy sent sales skyrocketing and, suddenly, the crossover segment was loaded with options. This is exactly where we find the segment today, especially when you compare two of the best-selling crossovers on the road - the 2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chevy Equinox.
Nissan and Chevrolet are among the leading brands in the American automotive landscape, and that’s due to their commitment to innovation, reliability, and affordability. We see this commitment in the 2021 Rogue and the 2021 Equinox, which are priced at $25,850 and $23,800, respectively.* The models are equipped with innovative technology that extends from their connectivity features and infotainment systems to their advanced safety and driver-assist tools. Also exceptionally reliable and capable performers, the Rogue and Equinox offer great long-term value.
Which model truly shines? As with any road race, there’s a clear winner. As we take a closer look at the 2021 Nissan Rogue and the 2021 Chevy Equinox, you’ll discover the Nissan easily leads the race as the better and more equipped crossover, and here’s how.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue leads the race from the starting line thanks to its standard 2.5-liter engine. Paired with Nissan’s exclusive Xtronic continuously variable transmission, the engine delivers 181 horsepower and exceptional efficiency without compromising performance or capability. This power means the Rogue roars to life to offer responsive handling and smooth acceleration while averaging 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, which means fewer stops at the gas station to refuel.
The Rogue’s all-new Vehicle Motion Control System also plays a large role in the crossover’s efficiency and performance. The technology, which is paired with the available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system and Drive Mode Selector, works behind the scenes to monitor your steering, acceleration, and braking. By monitoring these features, the technology provides individual control over each of the wheels and applies braking to the individual wheels as needed to optimize performance in corners. This makes driving the Rogue effortless.
Nissan allows you to take your experience behind the wheel a step further by customizing how the Rogue handles with five drive modes. Auto Mode balances the Rogue’s performance so that you can focus on the road ahead, whether you’re running errands in town or cruising on the highway. Sport Mode sharpens the throttle and adjusts the steering for more engagement when you’re behind the wheel, while Snow Mode maximizes traction to help you stay in control in slippery conditions. Finally, Off-Road Mode gives you the confidence to venture off the pavement and down the trail by tuning the Rogue to handle all types of terrain, from sand and dirt to mud and gravel.
You won’t find this type of custom driving experience on the 2021 Chevy Equinox. Available in either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, the Equinox comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and six-speed automatic transmission that delivers 170 horsepower. This is a noticeable difference between the Rogue’s 181-horsepower engine and makes the Equinox slower to accelerate. Despite this decrease in power, the Equinox is also less efficient than the Rogue, with an EPA-estimated average of 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. This means you’ll spend more time and money filling up the Equinox’s tank.
Nissan believes that technology is a vital part of your time in the driver’s seat, and that’s why you’ll find the 2021 Rogue is loaded with innovative features to keep you connected and informed when you’re on the road. The 12.3-inch digital dashboard gauge cluster, which measures 7 inches on lower trim levels, is fully customizable and allows you to personalize the information you see on the screen to your driving needs. You can also add a full-color 10.8-inch Head-Up Display to put all the information you need - speed, mileage, fuel level, etc. - in a clear display on the windshield so that you can keep your eyes and your focus on the road.
Nestled in the center dashboard is the Rogue’s third high-tech display, which is a 9-inch floating touchscreen that gives you instant access to everything you need at your fingertips. You can seamlessly sync your smartphone using wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, calculate the most efficient route using Nissan’s exclusive navigation technology, or use the Google Assistant to respond to text messages and make calls. From the display, you can get weather updates, see what’s behind the crossover using the standard RearView Monitor, or get a 360-degree view around the Rogue with the available Intelligent Around View Monitor that makes navigating any area easy.
Looking at the 2021 Equinox, you’ll see quite a few differences that leave the crossover lagging behind the Rogue. The Equinox comes standard with a 7-inch color touchscreen display that can be upgraded to an 8-inch display with navigation. Like the Rogue, the Equinox offers Apple CarPlay and Android compatibility as well as Amazon Alexa and an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. However, you won’t find advanced features like a Head-Up Display or a customizable digital gauge cluster on the Equinox, and this makes a world of difference when it comes to having innovative technology right where you need it most.
Like the Rogue’s impressive technology and connectivity features, the crossover also offers an exceptional suite of safety and driver-assist tools that act as your support system whether you’re navigating your morning commute or venturing out of town for vacation. The system is designed to give you peace of mind by enhancing your visibility and minimizing the potential for collisions. It’s no surprise then that the 2021 Rogue earned a 2021 Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. So, what’s in the suite?
Aside from 10 standard airbags and crumple zones built into the frame, the 2021 Rogue is equipped with the Standard Safety Shield 360 suite and active tools like the all-new ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link. The Safety Shield 360, which is standard on every trim, includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Automatic Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Automatic Emergency Braking can bring the Rogue to a complete stop or enhance your emergency braking if a collision is imminent, while the Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert can warn you of obstacles in your blind zones or at the rear of the crossover. Nissan takes these features even further by offering Intelligent Driver Alertness and Blind Spot Intervention.
The all-new ProPILOT Assist system makes driving less stressful by working with Intelligent Cruise Control to monitor the flow of traffic and adjusting the Rogue’s speed and distance accordingly. This is an exceptional tool that eliminates the hassle of constantly readjusting traditional cruise control to ensure a safe speed and distance from the traffic ahead at highway speeds. When the ProPILOT Assist is paired with Navi-link on the Rogue Platinum, you’ll have an even better experience behind the wheel since the system can automatically adjust your speed according to the road, such as curves in the highway or exit ramps.
While you won’t find anything comparable to the Rogue’s ProPILOT Assist system, the 2021 Equinox is equipped with its own suite of safety and driver-assist tools. The Chevy Safety Assist suite is standard across the lineup and includes six advanced safety tools that keep an eye out for hazards. The suite includes Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, a Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam Auto High Beam Assist. Depending on the trim, you can add HD Surround Vision, a Safety Alert Seat, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist.
While competition is fierce among crossovers, a comparison between the 2021 Nissan Rogue and the 2021 Chevy Equinox proves that it’s hard to beat everything that Nissan has to offer. While both models are affordably priced, the 2021 Rogue offers greater value when you look at its performance, technology, and safety and driver-assist features. Nissan’s commitment to innovation is widely apparent, and that’s one of the many reasons why we’re proud to be a Nissan dealer.
If you’re looking for the 2021 Rogue or any other model, then it’s time to visit Newton Nissan South. As one of the best-reviewed Nissan dealers in Middle Tennessee, you’ll experience why we’re not like most dealerships, and that’s because of our guarantee to “Change Your Experience.” Here at Newton Nissan South, we put our customers first, and that means getting to know more about you and what you want and need in a vehicle. From there, we’ll take you around our extensive inventory and help you navigate the buying process.
Beyond getting to know you, we’ll also change your car-owning experience by offering you exceptional confidence and peace of mind in your purchase. Every new vehicle comes with a free lifetime powertrain warranty that covers the engine and transmission. You’ll also receive a 2-year maintenance plan that includes four free oil changes and tire rotations for the first 24 months or 30,000 miles. On certified pre-owned models, we offer a 7-year or 100,000-mile warranty, which gives you even more confidence in shopping from our CPO inventory. You can find all of these options and more when you visit Newton Nissan South today.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
