Compact SUV Crossover

2026 Nissan Rogue vs. 2026 Chevrolet Equinox Comparison

Shoppers in the compact SUV market have plenty of choices, but the Nissan Rogue and Chevrolet Equinox consistently land on the shortlist. The Rogue is known for its excellent fuel efficiency, comfortable cabin, and comprehensive safety tech. Meanwhile, the recently redesigned 2026 Equinox brings bold new styling and a tech-centered interior to the table.

Compare the 2026 Nissan Rogue and 2026 Chevrolet Equinox to see which compact SUV is right for you and your family.

2026 Nissan Rogue

2026 Nissan Rogue parked by a building.
Image courtesy of Nissan

The 2026 Nissan Rogue leans into the strengths that make it a customer favorite — comfort, efficiency, and a robust list of standard safety features. New this year is the Dark Armor Edition, dressing the Rogue in black 19-inch wheels, gloss‑black accents, upgraded monitoring tech, and expanded cold-weather equipment. Its 201-horsepower turbocharged 3-cylinder is among the most powerful in this segment, but it can feel a little unrefined at times. The available all-wheel drive (AWD) system adds Snow and Off-Road driving modes on higher trims for improved versatility.

Nissan Rogue Highlights

Comfort and Interior: Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats remain some of the most comfortable in this price range, and the Rogue’s roomy interior offers up to 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space — much more than the Equinox’s 63.5 cubic feet.

Great Fuel Economy: The efficient turbocharged 3-cylinder paired with a CVT delivers excellent fuel economy — an EPA-rated 33 mpg combined (31 mpg with AWD). A new Rogue Hybrid has also been announced for 2026, though it rides on a different platform and will be reviewed separately.

Safety and Tech: Standard driver assists include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and more. Higher trims offer ProPilot Assist 2.1, a 3D surround-view camera, and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen powered by a Google-based operating system with Google Maps navigation. Apple CarPlay remains available for iPhone users.

2026 Chevrolet Equinox

2026 Chevrolet Equinox RS with red hills in the background.
Image courtesy of Frankie Rogers

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox builds on its recent redesign, retaining rugged exterior cues and a modern interior highlighted by large screens and upgraded infotainment tech. However, despite the updated design, Chevy continues to include a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes just 175 hp. Some competitors offer stronger engines or hybrid options, leaving the Equinox slightly behind in powertrain flexibility.

Chevrolet Equinox Highlights

Modern Styling and Fresh Interior: The latest redesign blends adventurous styling with a tech-rich cabin. A standard drive mode selector, smartphone integration, and an array of driver-assist systems are accompanied by an 11-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that truly impresses.

AWD Benefits: Equinox models with AWD offer more than just improved traction. They also come with an 8-speed transmission and increased torque output of 203 lb-ft, giving them a noticeable performance edge over the front-wheel drive (FWD) models, which use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and produce 185 lb-ft.

Chevy Safety Assist: Every Equinox includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist. Additional safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Similarities

Both the 2026 Nissan Rogue and 2026 Chevrolet Equinox serve families seeking comfort, space, and everyday usability. Each offers seating for five, contemporary styling, a long list of standard safety technologies, a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, and competitive pricing in the compact SUV segment. All-wheel drive and a robust suite of infotainment features are available on both.

Pricing

New 2026 Nissan Rogue Prices

Retail Price
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
S
$30,180
$29,700
SV
$31,180
$30,200
$35,080
$34,600
SL
$36,680
$35,800
$40,380
$39,400

New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox Prices

Retail Price
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
LT
$29,995
$27,700
RS
$34,395
$31,100
$34,395
$31,600

The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2026 Nissan Rogue vehicles and New 2026 Chevrolet Equinox vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.

Specifications

2026 Nissan Rogue 2026 Chevrolet Equinox
Popular Powertrains
Engine1.5-liter turbo 3-cylinder1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder
Towing Capacity1,500 pounds800 pounds
Horsepower201 hp @ 5,600 rpm175 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque225 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm184 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
TransmissionAutomatic, CVT w/XtronicAutomatic, CVT
Fuel EconomyN/AN/A
Specs
Basic Warranty3 years/36,000 miles3 years/36,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty5 years/60,000 miles5 years/60,000 miles
NHTSA Overall SafetyNot ratedNot rated
Max Seating Capacity55
Wheelbase106.5 inches107.5 inches
Overall Length183.0 inches183.2 inches
Width72.4 inchesN/A
Height66.5 inches65.6 inches
Turning Diameter35.4 feetN/A
Headroom, Front41.1 inches40.0 inches
Headroom, 2nd Row39.2 inches39.2 inches
Legroom, Front41.5 inches40.9 inches
Legroom, 2nd Row38.5 inches39.9 inches
Shoulder Room, Front57.1 inches57.7 inches
Shoulder Room, 2nd Row55.9 inches55.8 inches
Cargo Behind Second SeatN/AN/A
Cargo With All Seats DownN/AN/A

Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.

Conclusion

In the crowded compact SUV market, the Rogue and Equinox succeed by serving different priorities. The Rogue remains the standout for comfort and efficiency, offering impressive cargo room and advanced safety features. The Equinox, fresh off its redesign, leans on contemporary styling, simplified trims, and a smoother 8-speed transmission on AWD versions.

Buyers focused on practicality and refinement will gravitate toward the Rogue, while those who want newer styling and a tech-forward layout may prefer the Equinox. Each SUV brings enough strengths to satisfy a wide range of compact-SUV shoppers. Test-drive both models and see which fits your family’s needs best.