The Ford Escape vs. Chevy Equinox
If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, deciding on what car is right for you can be a challenge. It can also be a hassle to map out the pros and cons of certain vehicles as well, especially if they’re very similar. For example, the 2013 Ford Escape and the 2013 Chevy Equinox are both great models, but how can you decide which one is right for your needs? Let’s start with the basics.
Budgeting
The first things a car buyer should focus on are the practical needs for finding the right car. Budget is always a large priority in a car search. Price-wise, the Escape and the Equinox aren’t significantly different, however the Equinox’s minimum pricing is $2,000 more expensive than the Escape. The average MSRP for the Escape is between $22,470 and $32,120 while the Equinox is between $24,225 to 32,735. Of course, the MSRP measures out the average for a new model, not necessarily a used one (unless it’s a “creampuff” car in impressive condition). The price ranges because of the different engine types and other customizable options.
Customizing your car and engine type
Taking a peek under the hood, the Escape has 3 available engines: 173-hp 1.6-liter I-4, 231-hp 2.0-liter I-4 and the 168-hp 2.5-liter I-4. In comparison, the Equinox only offers two engines: the 182-hp 2.4-liter I-4 and 301-hp 3.6-liter V-6. All of the engines listed take regular unleaded fuel. Both vehicles have the same transmission available: a 6-speed automatic with OD and shiftable automatic.
What about mileage?
The next question that’s a major factor in car buying is the gas mileage. The Escape gets much better gas mileage at 21 to 23 mpg in the city and 28 to 33 mpg on the highway. The Equinox gets 16 to 22 mpg in the city and 23 to 32 on the highway, a much bigger gap than the Escape.
Safety ratings
As for safety ratings, the Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox both have an overall safety rating of 4. Airbag deployment notification for the Equinox is provided by OnStar (like many of Chevrolet’s vehicles) while the Escape uses SYNC. Additionally, the Equinox uses OnStar to contact emergency services and stolen vehicle tracking assistance. Both cars have anti-lock brakes, stability control, side and curtain airbags and standard child seat anchors.
Design
In regards to the finer details of the car’s design, the Escape has 10 exterior colors to choose from while the Equinox has 11. However, the Equinox has 3 available interior colors (Brownstone/Jet Black, Jet Black and Light Titanium/Jet Black) while the Escape has 2 (Charcoal Black and Medium Light Stone).
Quality ratings
According to Cars.com, general overall quality ratings for each vehicle lands at a 3.8 for the Ford Escape and a 4.4 for the Chevy Equinox.
While the Escape and Equinox may not have too many noticeable differences besides elements of the exterior and the manufacturer, it is up to the car buyer to list what they are looking for in a vehicle and what is most important to get the most out of an older model car.
Thanks giphy for the .gifs!
