Compare the2026 Subaru CrosstrekVS 2026 Chevrolet Equinox

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Subaru Crosstrek are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Subaru Crosstrek has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Equinox doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Crosstrek has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Equinox doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Crosstrek. But it costs extra on the Equinox.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Crosstrek’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Equinox doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Subaru Crosstrek’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Chevrolet Equinox.

The Crosstrek Limited/Wilderness’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Equinox doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Crosstrek and the Equinox have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Crosstrek’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Equinox’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Crosstrek’s reliability 22 points higher than the Equinox.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru first in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

The Crosstrek’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (180 vs. 175) than the Equinox FWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Crosstrek’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (180 vs. 175) than the Equinox AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Crosstrek Hybrid’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 19 more horsepower (194 vs. 175) than the Equinox AWD’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Crosstrek 4 cyl. is faster than the Equinox AWD:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Crosstrek lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The Equinox doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Crosstrek gets better mileage than the Equinox:

Regenerative brakes improve the Crosstrek Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Equinox doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Crosstrek has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Crosstrek has a gallon more fuel capacity than the Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank (16.6 vs. 15.6 gallons).

The Crosstrek’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Equinox are solid, not vented.

The Crosstrek stops shorter than the Equinox:

The Crosstrek’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Equinox LT/ACTIV’s standard 65 series tires.

The Crosstrek has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Crosstrek flat and controlled during cornering. The Equinox’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Crosstrek handles at .81 G’s, while the Equinox RS AWD pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Crosstrek Limited executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the Equinox RS AWD (27.3 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Crosstrek Wilderness’ turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Equinox’s (34.8 feet vs. 37.1 feet). The Crosstrek’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Equinox’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Crosstrek has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Equinox LT/ACTIV (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Crosstrek to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Crosstrek Wilderness’ minimum ground clearance is 1.1 inches higher than on the Equinox RS (9.3 vs. 8.2 inches).

The Crosstrek is 6.8 inches shorter than the Equinox, making the Crosstrek easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Crosstrek has 2 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room and 3.5 inches more rear hip room than the Equinox.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Crosstrek. The Equinox doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The Crosstrek’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox’s (1500 vs. 800 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Chevrolet Equinox AWD is only 1500 pounds. The Crosstrek offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the Crosstrek is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Equinox. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

The Crosstrek’s front power windows open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Equinox’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Crosstrek’s exterior PIN entry system. The Equinox doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its OnStar® can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Crosstrek has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Equinox doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Crosstrek’s optional rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Equinox doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

The Crosstrek has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Equinox.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Subaru Crosstrek retains 66.41% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 50.37% resale value of the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox after five years, which can save the Subaru’s owner up to $5273.407101 in depreciation.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Subaru Crosstrek as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.