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Starting at
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| 203 | Torque (lb-ft) | 176 |
| 29.9 | Rear Cargo (cu.ft.) | 28.9 |
| 7.0 | Infotainment (in) | 6.5 |
The auto industry is constantly changing, which puts an abundance of choices in the hands of those shopping for their next SUV. In this class's compact segment, for the 2024 model year, the top contenders are the Chevy Equinox and the Subaru Forester. Both models are powerful, capable, and rather spacious; they both get great fuel economy ratings for city living, and both have strong powertrains, reliable safety tech, and generous infotainment suites.
But just how do these two noteworthy rivals stack up against one another in the finer details, or in specific circumstances? Which features and characteristics best define them? Which model seems best suited to your lifestyle? Buckle in because it's time to dive into the key aspects of the 2024 Chevy Equinox vs 2024 Subaru Forester.
First impressions can be lasting impressions, and both the 2024 Chevy Equinox and 2024 Subaru Forester make bold statements with their unique design elements. The exterior of the Equinox features a contemporary approach with sleek, undulating lines and a distinctive front grille. These elements combine to ooze sophistication.
The Forester, on the other hand, is more rugged, echoing a bygone era when boxy silhouettes were popular for SUVs. It also features large fender flares that are indicative of its off-road orientation. The Forester is all about being outdoorsy, while the Equinox caters more to those seeking urban refinement.
Both of these SUVs prioritize utility and comfort in their cabins. The Equinox's cabin is spacious and adorned with premium materials, and there are quite a few available material upgrades and plenty of advanced tech gadgets to tack on. On the flip side, the Forester is more for the no-frills folk who want a totally straightforward setup.
Choosing between these two vehicles ultimately boils down to personal preferences, but the Equinox will likely win out with urban and suburban drivers looking for the utmost in comfort and refinement.
Beneath the hood, both the 2024 Chevy Equinox and 2024 Subaru Forester come fitted with engines crafted to blend efficiency and power—but which one does it better?
A single engine option comes equipped on the Equinox. Standard is a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque; it comes paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This engine proves to be rather efficient, too.
The Forester is powered by a 2.5L four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It serves up 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque, but this feels underwhelming compared to the turbocharged power offered by the Equinox’s engine.
What’s more, real-world fuel economy falls short of EPA estimates due to how much throttle you must put in to get the Forester's engine up and going. The plus side to the Forester’s mechanical specs is that all-wheel drive is standard, offering ample stability and traction—however, this does detract rather noticeably from fuel efficiency.
When it comes to technology, there is a lot of competition between the 2024 Chevy Equinox and the 2024 Subaru Forester. Both SUVs are indeed well-equipped with features that meet the demands of the everyday modern driver.
The Equinox showcases a user-friendly and intuitively designed infotainment system and accompanying touchscreen interface (7.0 inches wide as standard or available for upgrade to 8.0 inches). It supports functions like smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity is standard across the lineup, and the two USB ports up front help you remain connected while on the go.
Plenty of advanced driver assistance features—such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning—come standard, further making the Equinox reputable for its proactive safety measures. A lot of comparable driver assistance features get bundled into packages or are available as standalone upgrades for certain trim levels; for example, adaptive cruise control can be equipped on the mid-tier LT trim as part of the Safety & Infotainment package. Therefore, you can get the features you want at a great value.
Likewise, the 2024 Subaru Forester is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety and technology features. Using its infotainment system (a 6.5-inch touchscreen) is simple enough, although you might find yourself wishing for more optional tech packages. The standard EyeSight suite of driver aids includes lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control, but you’ll need to upgrade by two trim levels to get blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert.
Interior design and versatility are major factors in determining which SUV to buy, and both the Equinox and Forester do well on these fronts. When you slide behind the wheel of the 2024 Equinox, you will find that it offers an abundance of cargo space and suitable legroom in both the front and rear rows. If you love going out on road trips or are someone with several kids, the Equinox presents a highly practical choice. You can easily adjust the rear row to allow for more cargo or passenger space as needed.
There are many creature comforts available for the Equinox, further enhancing the appeal of its cabin. The LT, for example, gives you illuminated sun visors, and the optional Confidence & Convenience package adds a dual-zone automatic climate control system for enhanced comfort and versatility. Going for the RS gives you a sportier interior aesthetic with its appealing red contrast stitching. You can even opt for leather upholstery on the RS if you want to go for a fancier vibe.
Easily recognizable for its boxy body, the Subaru Forester offers a decent amount of interior space. However, the Forester’s overall storage capacity does not feel quite as generous as the segment’s toughest competitors. You might also find that you must fight the rear row to install child safety seats since the anchors are buried deep inside the cushions, and you’ll be in a pinch for space if you need to install rear-facing car seats for infant passengers.
Environmental consciousness is increasingly factoring into which vehicles people choose to buy. The 2024 Chevy Equinox and 2024 Subaru Forester are competitive enough when it comes to fuel efficiency, but with Chevy set to debut the 2024 Equinox EV, it's safe to say the bowtie brand has a leg up. Still, if you stick with the gas-powered Equinox, you get a strong fuel economy, coming in at an EPA-estimated 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway in front-wheel drive.
The Subaru Forester has been heralded for its efficiency for a while, and it can pull in some decent estimates for a strictly all-wheel drive model, getting 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway. These put it on par with the gas-powered Equinox, but as there is no electrified version of the Forester, the Equinox splits the advantage.
Chevy’s dedication to electrified power is more evident than Subaru’s in this regard, so if you’re someone wanting to leave a smaller carbon footprint, this could impact your decision of which SUV to buy. The all-wheel drive version of the Equinox EV gets a whopping 280 miles per electric charge, while its larger-battery front-wheel drive configuration gets 319 miles—leagues beyond the Forester.
The bottom line is one of the most definitive factors when shopping for a car. The 2024 Chevy Equinox and 2024 Subaru Forester are priced to compete with each other and the rest of the compact SUV segment. The base Equinox has a starting MSRP of $26,600; on the other end of the trim spectrum, the top-tier Premier (with AWD) starts at $34,795.[a] Chevy has a strong reputation for giving buyers a lot of value per dollar, and the massive list of standard features on the base trim makes even the cheapest Equinox a savvy investment.
The 2024 Forester also gives you a lot of value, especially given the brand’s reputation for durability and longevity. The base trim starts at $27,095, which can indeed feel generous at first, but prices jump quickly on this model's trim lineup. The next step up—the Premium—prices at $30,295, and the line-topping Touring trim sits at a starting MSRP of $37,395. If you want all the bells and whistles, you'll have to shell out.
Chevy and Subaru make the showdown between the 2024 Equinox and 2024 Forester a heated one, with each SUV bringing its own set of perks and quirks to the table. If you prefer a chic design, efficient engineering, and a long list of standard advanced tech, the Equinox might appeal to you. It's particularly popular with families and city folk, who flock to it for its immense versatility.
The 2024 Subaru Forester does its best to keep pace with the Equinox while staying geared toward off-roading adventures. Its standard all-wheel drive can prove invaluable if you do a lot of driving off the beaten path, but for those who drive in the city more often than not, the Forester might not offer as much comfort, utility, or flexibility.
If your personal preference leans toward on-the-road excellence and eco-friendly driving, then the 2024 Chevy Equinox will likely appeal more to your sensibilities; its urban sophistication offers plenty of comfort for everyone, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Consider this Chevy SUV if you want something that pairs efficiency with utility. Come by Blossom Chevrolet for a test drive and see how the Equinox compares to other compact SUVs out there.
*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.