Equinox vs Escape
Brand preference aside, the Equinox and the Escape are close competitors, both pitched at compact suv buyers. It’s a tight one. Few of the gaps between these two are big enough to change how the car fits into your day.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tie
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance0.3
- Engine & Performance0.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Design & Size
Engine & Performance
Too close to call
The Equinox and the Escape match each other closely in this area. Treat engine & performance as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On space & practicality, both deliver about the same. Neither car gives you a reason to choose it on space & practicality.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on off-road & towing. Bottom line for off-road & towing: it’s a wash.
Safety & Tech
For safety & tech, the spec sheet lists components and formats rather than figures we can rank. The table shows what the Equinox and the Escape each bring.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Equinox | Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 1.5L turbo I4 | 1.5L turbo I3 |
| Total system output | 175 hp | 180 hp |
| Torque | 203 lb-ft | 199 lb-ft |
| Transmission | N/A (not specified) | 8-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | FWD (AWD available) | FWD (AWD available) |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Equinox | Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 37.5 cu ft |
| Cargo (seats folded) | N/A (not specified) | 65.4 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Equinox | Escape |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Equinox | Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Equinox or the Escape?
Neither wins outright. Choose the Equinox if the things a spec sheet can’t capture matters most, or the Escape if the things a spec sheet can’t capture does.
Executive Summary
Brand loyalty aside, I tried to judge the Equinox and the Escape purely on what they offer.
I’d match them like this: the things a spec sheet can’t capture to the Equinox, the things a spec sheet can’t capture to the Escape.
My pick: the Equinox for anyone focused on the things a spec sheet can’t capture, the Escape for anyone focused on the things a spec sheet can’t capture.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.