Why Pick the Nissan Rogue Over the Chevy Equinox?

That’s a great question, and exactly the sort of thing you should be asking when considering different options for your next SUV. Both the Nissan Rogue and the Equinox are compact SUVs that share many similar features at first glance. However, once you start looking closer at a Nissan Rogue for sale near Oak Ridge compared to a Chevy Equinox, you’ll quickly see several reasons why so many people choose the Rogue as their vehicle of choice.

As a Nissan dealership, we must admit that we have a personal interest in comparing these two vehicles, so we’ll focus on the facts and comparison points that are as unbiased as possible. That way, you’ll see for yourself just how impressive the Rogue truly is.

A Great Engine and Superior Performance

Some folks think that a powerful engine only matters when it comes to something like a sports car or a full-size truck. In reality, every vehicle should have a great engine because so much of your driving experience comes down to the power that’s coming from under your hood. Nissan built its reputation on great engines that are reliable and provide a fun driving experience day after day. Although Chevrolet has produced many impressive engines over the years, the Equinox’s performance seems somewhat lacking.

The 2026 Nissan Rogue comes with a standard 1.5L VC-Turbo I-3 engine that delivers 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque, ensuring you have a great time on the road as you get around Oak Ridge each day. By comparison, the 2026 Chevy Equinox has a standard 1.5L turbocharged I-4 engine that offers just 175 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. That’s far less than what Nissan gives you, resulting in a difference that you can really feel. Both of these compact SUVs offer front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options, but the enhanced performance of the Rogue makes it the one we would choose every day. 

Much Better Fuel Efficiency

Power under the hood is important, as it significantly impacts your driving experience every time you get behind the wheel. For many of us, however, fuel efficiency can be just as vital. The last thing we want is to stop every other day for gas; compact SUVs like these models are great for impressive gas mileage, but they’re not all equal.

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is estimated to achieve 26 MPG in the city, 29 MPG on the highway, and 27 MPG combined fuel efficiency with FWD. Going with AWD, drivers end up with an estimated 26 MPG combined gas mileage, which isn’t terrible, but it could be improved.

Speaking of better: the 2026 Nissan Rogue with FWD gets an estimated 29 MPG in the city, 36 MPG on the highway, and 32 MPG combined fuel economy. If you want a model with AWD, then you’re looking at an estimated 31 MPG combined fuel efficiency with the Rogue, which far surpasses the mileage offered by the Equinox. Sometimes, the difference between two vehicles can be one or two MPG. It may not sound like much, but the difference adds up, and it shows how the Rogue lets you go farther around Oak Ridge before needing to refuel.

More Cargo Space for What You Need

As we said from the start, we’re focused on objective, numerical points of comparison, highlighting the Rogue’s capabilities without letting personal preferences about these two vehicles get in the way. Cargo capacity continues this trend, and once again, the Nissan SUV comes out on top. With the 2026 Rogue, you get 36.5 cu.ft of rear cargo space and 74.1 cu.ft of total cargo volume behind the front seats. 

The Equinox provides 29.8 cu.ft. of rear cargo volume and 63.5 cu.ft. of total cargo space behind the front seats. Again, that’s a very significant difference that can really matter when you’re loading up your vehicle to hit the road (or during a day of running errands and shopping).

The Incredible Nissan Rogue Rock Creek

Perhaps not as quantitative as the details we’ve looked at so far, we have to take a moment to mention the remarkable Rock Creek model for the Nissan Rogue. This is a terrific model if you enjoy an outdoor lifestyle, something the Equinox doesn’t quite match. You get AWD with the Rock Creek model, along with 17-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, providing excellent traction when heading off-road or reaching your favorite campsite. Along with the standard Selectable Terrain Modes of the Rogue (Eco, Sport, and Snow), you also get an Off-Road mode for the Rock Creek that is perfect for leaving Oak Ridge behind and hitting up some trails or dirt roads.

A black tubular roof rack on the Rock Creek is ideal for loading up with extra cargo, while Hill Descent Control makes it easier to drive down hills (great for city driving and heading outdoors). You might think that the Chevy Equinox has something similar in the ACTIV trim, but that model falls short in some features. For one thing, you can get the ACTIV with FWD, which says pretty much all you need to know. The ACTIV model is certainly a stylish option for the Equinox, but we’ll take the Nissan Rogue Rock Creek when actually heading off pavement.

Excellent Tech and Comfort Options

We’ll be honest and say that both of these vehicles offer some impressive interior features, which should come as no surprise when considering Chevy and Nissan. The 2026 Equinox features an 11.3-inch infotainment display, an 11-inch Driver Information Center, and a six-speaker sound system. 

Looking at upgrades for the higher RS trim, however, reveals where Chevy is lacking: we still find the same sound system, displays, and similar features. While the Equinox seating in this trim feels decent, it definitely has room for improvement, and we’d prefer to see genuine leather than the Evotex synthetic leather.

Looking at the 2026 Nissan Rogue, some of its standard features, such as the starting NissanConnect eight-inch infotainment display, may not be as refined as you might like. Once we check out features on something like the Platinum trim, however, everything changes. The Rogue Platinum comes with a gorgeous 12.3-inch NissanConnect display paired with an impressive 12.3-inch multi-function reconfigurable instrument cluster display. 

You also get a stunning Bose Premium 10-speaker sound system in the Platinum model, featuring remarkable options such as tri-zone automatic temperature control, a dual-panel panoramic moonroof, and quilted semi-aniline leather-appointed seating for unparalleled comfort. All of this comes together to make the Rogue a compact SUV that you’ll love driving throughout Oak Ridge each day.

Take a Nissan Rogue for a Spin Around Oak Ridge

Once you compare what the Rogue and Chevy Equinox each offer side by side, it becomes easy to see why so many people choose Nissan’s model. The remarkable performance, excellent fuel efficiency, and spacious interior of the Rogue all come together beautifully to create a fantastic vehicle.

Once you factor in features like the impressive Rock Creek model and the enhanced features found on the Rogue Platinum, you get an SUV that is hard to beat and ready to help you make the most of your daily drive. All you have to do now is decide on the features and options that are most important to you, and then see the Rogue for yourself so we can help you find everything you’ve been looking for.

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