Comparing the 2024 Chevy Equinox to the 2024 Nissan Rogue
The automotive industry has seen many changes throughout the years, and we’re currently at a threshold moment that’s more interesting than any previous—especially with the SUV segment—given the rise in powerful and efficient electric powertrains. As this tech is still new and thus still pricier than the old, automakers have sharpened their approaches to the low and middle regions of their buyer demographics to ensure there’s still high demand for traditional gas-powered models.
This has been a serious boon for the shopper on a budget, who can now get a considerable array of high-quality tech and accouterments in a considerably affordable model. Chevy and Nissan are two of the most recognizable manufacturers in this auto arena, and the 2024 Chevy Equinox vs 2024 Nissan Rogue is the latest conversation around how lower-priced SUVs can surprise you with their features. So, let’s dig into this comparison just a little bit further…
Does Price Dictate Quality?
We’ve all heard that you get what you pay for, but is that always true? While the 2024 Rogue’s starting MSRP hasn’t been confirmed, it’s predicted to cost more than the 2024 Equinox, much like it did the year prior. It’s suspected the 2024 Rogue will hover around a starting price of $28,320, while the 2024 Equinox sits at an MSRP of $26,600.[a]
With the confirmed price of the 2024 Equinox and the speculated cost of the 2024 Rogue, we’re looking at a difference of almost $2,000. So, does that mean the experience you get with the Rogue is worth almost $2k more? Perhaps it’s a perspective thing, but in an era where many people are looking to save money wherever possible, that extra $2k becomes less of a point in the Rogue’s favor and more one for Chevy and the driver, with the latter pocketing the savings and ultimately getting a highly comparable experience, courtesy of the former.
Price plays a pivotal role, especially with compact SUVs, which are commonly praised for being cost-effective yet wholly viable ways of getting your feet firmly into the SUV lifestyle without investing in a bulky machine that chugs gas. Keep pricing in mind throughout this discussion because, if you want an SUV experience that’s properly priced for what you’re getting, then you may be surprised at what we have to say.
What Matters to You
If you have any doubts about getting ample performance in your price range, you can put those worries to rest. Yes, there’s a slight performance difference between these two SUVs, with the Rogue notably providing 26 more horsepower and slightly better torque: the turbocharged 1.5L I-4 engine in the 2024 Equinox produces 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque, while the Rogue’s turbocharged 1.5L I-3 engine produces 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. However, the difference is rather negligible, and the Rogue doesn’t provide enough of an extra oomph to make up for its higher starting price. With no other option for the Rogue to separate itself from the Equinox, the price-to-performance ratio only gets more egregious the higher up the chain of trims you go.
Does the extra price of the 2024 Rogue at least make up for itself with other powertrain capabilities? Unfortunately for Nissan (but fortunately for Chevy), the Rogue can’t do anything more to distinguish itself from the Equinox other than the aforementioned horsepower and torque upticks, along with slightly better fuel efficiency ratings. Both SUVs can be fitted with AWD, and the lower starting price of the 2024 Equinox doesn’t prevent it from sticking with the Rogue’s towing capacity of 1,500 lbs.
A big difference between the two vehicles—and something that many drivers may prefer about the Equinox over Nissan’s offering—is that the Equinox’s powertrain links its turbocharged engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. While Continuously Variable Automatic Transmissions (CVTs) aren’t bad, there are still many who prefer the traditional feel of an automatic transmission. Of course, Nissan pairs a CVT with the turbocharged engine on every trim with no form of traditional transmission.
A Baffling Decision
What’s a bit of a baffling choice is that Nissan upgraded the tech for the 2024 Rogue, but it still manages to fall behind the Equinox in some interesting ways. The 2024 Rogue’s main advantage with base tech is a screen that’s only one inch longer diagonally. The real draw of the Rogue stems from its optional infotainment center, but by the time you’re spending the money to get the 12.3-inch infotainment center, you’re already paying thousands of dollars more than you would with the Equinox. Even if you stick with the standard infotainment centers, you’re still paying more than you would with the Equinox, but with one caveat: some features are absent.
What is it that Chevy knew to put into the Equinox that Nissan failed to match with the Rogue? Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, that’s what. You do get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the Rogue, but they can’t be used without a tethered connection. It’s worth noting that every Rogue trim comes with these tools, but that doesn’t change the fact the Chevy Equinox is both more cost-effective and also comes equipped with wireless syncing on every trim. If you want the wireless variants with the Rogue, you won’t be buying the base trim, that’s for sure.
The Chevy Equinox can also be fitted with a wireless charging pad, which the Rogue matches with a charging pad available for its interior. The base Equinox also comes with a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and—as the theme continues—it’s available for the Rogue but does not come standard. Made worse is the fact the Rogue still costs more than the Equinox, while the latter doesn’t shy away from the more premium tech, which is something that we consider a baffling decision by Nissan.
Close, But Not Close Enough
Safety tech is another area where the Equinox offers a stronger value, thanks to standard advanced driver assistance features that are at least on par with the pricier Rogue. For example, the Equinox has features like Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian Braking, along with Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, a Following Distance Indicator, etc. The Equinox also has the Chevy-exclusive Teen Driver mode, which allows parents to set limits on things like speed and stereo volume, as well as get an after-drive report card so they can check in on how their child is driving.
The Nissan Rogue mostly has features to match (barring exceptions like Chevy’s Teen Driver), including an Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, and a Lane Departure Warning. The Rogue does at least make up for its cost somewhat with a Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert coming standard, although these features are still available for higher-end Equinox trims in the form of Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Side Blind Zone Alert. It’s fair to say both vehicles are safe and reliable, especially with assistive technologies like these, but it doesn’t change the fact that you’re not entirely getting what the cost difference would suggest, at least regarding safety features.
Chevy Prevails Once More
Nissan is setting its sights on dethroning vehicles like the Equinox from a place of value dominance, but there’s one problem: Nissan hasn’t done enough to warrant the right to dethrone anything. If Nissan wants to conquer the Equinox going forward, some features need to make their way to the base trim. Will this happen? Sure, why not; it’s not uncommon for tech to get cheaper and, by extension, more accessible. However, as far as 2024 models are concerned, Nissan has missed the mark.
It’s not realistic to expect automobiles to become cheaper over time, but what is realistic is expecting manufacturers to give you more bang for the buck, and this is something Chevy knows like the back of its hand—vehicles like the 2024 Equinox are direct proof of that.
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