When asked to compare the 2018 Jeep Cherokee vs. 2018 Chevy Equinox, only one question sprang into my head: which one is faster? This might seem odd but, at the end of the day, I’m a muscle car enthusiast who just asked to review two compact crossovers. So, to appease me let’s view the following showdown between the Cherokee, Equinox and Ford Fusion
While some would view that as a damning indication that we’re focusing on the wrong two models out of the three, it really only speaks to one characteristic of the vehicles’ performance. The simple truth is that ‘get up and go’ slides down in terms of priorities when comparing crossovers and SUV’s. Far more important to most segment enthusiasts are considerations of price, fuel economy, spaciousness, etc.. So, with that in mind let’s stop looking at things that are important to me, and take a closer look at things that are important to you.
Pricing
Based on a comparison of the Cherokee Latitude and Equinox LS, Jeep comes out on top with a starting MSRP of $24,395 (lower than the $27,300 price tag on the Equinox).
Fuel Economy
In terms of fuel economy, the Equinox bests the Cherokee, but only ‘just.’ Offering a combined 27 mpg versus the Cherokee’s 25.5, there are no real bragging rights for the Equinox.
Horsepower
While sprinting may not be a focus of prospective buyers, power ratings are. That said, the Cherokee earns an estimated 184 horsepower rating, besting the Equinox’ 170 hp.
Powertrain
The Cherokee is powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder mater to a 9-speed automatic, whereas the Equinox carries a 1.5-liter inline four paired with a 6-speed automatic.
Seating Capacity
There’s not much to say here, with both serving up the expected seating for five.
Cargo Space
Here is one where the Equinox comes out on top, offering 63.5 cubic feet of cargo space, versus the Cherokee’s 54.9 cubic feet.
At the end of the day, both the 2018 Jeep Cherokee and Chevy Equinox are deserving of consideration. Which one is right for you? Only you can decide for sure. That said, our pick is an easy one: Jeep by a mile.
