Choosing Between a Used Nissan Rogue and a Used Chevy Equinox

SUVs are by far the most popular vehicle class among consumers. With spacious seating and storage space, SUVs appeal to drivers who enjoy practicality and comfort. The modern SUV comes equipped with multiple features that provide safety and connectivity. Choosing the ideal SUV can be challenging, as there are numerous makes and models to consider.

The Nissan Rogue is the perfect example of big things coming in small packages. The Rogue packs an economical powertrain and plenty of items that keep drivers safe and connected. A used Nissan Rogue for sale in Knoxville can get you everything you’re looking for in an SUV.

One of the Rogue’s biggest competitors is the Chevy Equinox. Both compact SUVs offer similar advantages, making it crucial to decide which one is best suited for you. Today, we’re looking at both SUVs. Once you’ve assessed the information we provide, you’ll have a better understanding of whether a used Rogue or Equinox is ideal for your daily commute.

How Performance Compares

Knoxville residents shopping for a used SUV typically seek a vehicle that strikes a balance between performance and fuel economy. They enjoy having a powertrain that provides them with plenty of acceleration and allows them to travel farther between fill-ups. Both the Rogue and Equinox have powertrains that can accommodate your needs, and this is where we’ll begin our examination.

Since 2021, the Chevy Equinox has come equipped with a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine. Most used Equinox models pair their engine with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offers adequate performance, with models from the 2023 model year producing 175 hp and 203 lb-ft of torque. Both the Equinox and Rogue can pull 1,500 lbs when properly equipped.

The Rogue’s powertrain provides more excitement than the Equinox’s. Since the 2022 model year, it has come with a turbocharged 1.5L three-cylinder engine that consistently produces 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. The engine pairs with a CVT, a transmission that’s best suited for city driving and promotes conservative fuel economy.

Fuel economy is the key difference between the SUVs. Both have FWD and AWD configurations, designed for city driving or light recreational use. Drivers in Knoxville who want to save money on fuel costs will appreciate what the Rogue has to offer.

A 2023 Nissan Rogue with FWD achieves 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, for a combined fuel economy of 33 MPG. The EPA-estimated rankings are far more advantageous than those of the Equinox. FWD Equinox models from the same year achieve 26 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, for a combined fuel economy of 28 MPG.

Verdict: A used Nissan Rogue bests the Chevy Equinox in both performance and fuel economy. Nissan’s three-cylinder engine provides better acceleration and a more engaging driving experience. With the CVT, a used Rogue can offer Knoxville drivers better fuel economy. Used SUV owners tend to be mindful of costs, and a used Rogue allows you to go farther between trips to the pump.

How the Interior Compares

There are many attributes that drivers look for when shopping for a used SUV. The hallmark of the vehicle class since its inception has been generous seating and cargo room. However, the modern SUV owner tends to look for much more than space. They enjoy comforts and items that keep them connected when they’re on the road. A used Rogue and Equinox check the boxes that Knoxville residents are mindful of.

Comfortable seating is an important aspect of any vehicle. The Equinox and Rogue offer seating for five. However, Nissan has an advantage in its seating arrangements that enhances comfort. Since 2023, the Rogue has come with Zero Gravity seats. Developed with the help of NASA, these seats add comfort and can even help provide better posture when you’re behind the wheel.

An SUV’s storage space is the yin to the yang of comfortable seating. Many families love the SUV class for its ability to offer ample cargo space. Whether you’re going on a grocery run or embarking on a road trip, having storage space makes a considerable difference.

A 2023 Chevy Equinox offers room for the items that matter. When all five seats are occupied, the SUV offers 29.9 cu.ft. of cargo room. When the rear seats are folded down, over 63 cu.ft. becomes available for when storage becomes a priority. However, the Rogue gives Knoxville drivers more room to work with. A Rogue from the same year gives drivers 36.5 cu.ft. of cargo space when all seats are occupied. A total of 74.1 cu.ft. becomes available when the rear seats are folded.

In addition to the practical items, both SUVs can keep drivers connected. The Equinox and Rogue both come with infotainment systems that provide access to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. From 2021 to 2024, the Equinox came with a seven-inch touchscreen. However, the Rogue offered a standard eight-inch screen with an available nine-inch version on upper trims.

Verdict: Both SUVs are closely matched in terms of connectivity. When it comes to seating and storage, two items that many SUV owners enjoy, the Rogue wins hands down. More room for cargo and more comfortable seats make the Rogue a posh and practical choice.

How Safety Tech Compares

We’ve saved the most important part of any vehicle purchase for last. Many SUV owners are family-oriented commuters. As such, they want to drive a vehicle that’s equipped with items that afford them oversight and protection when they’re behind the wheel. Both the Equinox and Rogue have items to give Knoxville drivers peace of mind.

A used Rogue or Equinox comes with a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance a safe driving experience. Chevy Safety Assist and Nissan Safety Shield 360 come with items that cover the basics of safety. Features like automatic braking, collision warning, and lane-keeping are included with both suites. To understand which is the safer choice, one has to look further.

The Nissan Rogue comes standard with many innovative technologies. Items like Intelligent Driver Alertness have been instrumental in helping to reduce driver fatigue. Intelligent Cruise Control and door-to-door navigation have also been a major part of the Rogue’s repertoire of safety technologies since 2023.

It’s not just the safety technologies themselves that make the Rogue popular among drivers. Others have taken notice of the brand’s tireless dedication to providing safe transportation. The Rogue was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2022.

Verdict: A used Rogue and Equinox can both give you plenty of driver assistance technologies for peace of mind. Nissan’s recognition for its efforts and innovative features makes it an ideal choice for Knoxville drivers who prioritize safety above all else.

A Used Nissan Rogue Is Ideal for Knoxville

When comparing the Nissan Rogue to the Chevy Equinox, in maximizing the benefits of a used SUV, the Rogue is the ideal choice. It offers a more economical powertrain with plenty of performance to spare. A more spacious interior and enhanced safety technologies make the vehicle the ideal choice for any commuter.

If you live in Knoxville and want to test drive a used Nissan Rogue, we have several chances for you to do so. Visiting any location affiliated with the Rusty Wallace Family of Dealerships affords you the chance to find the right used Rogue that suits you best.