The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross offer drivers in Florence, Alabama two incredible compact SUVs to choose from, but which one is better for your lifestyle? In the compact SUV market, competition is heated, which is great for consumers. Manufacturers are motivated to design their SUVs with technology galore, stacked lists of safety and driver assistance features, and capable powertrains. How does that motivation translate to the Chevy Equinox and the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross? Keep reading to find out.
The 2023 model of the popular, mainstream Chevrolet Equinox is a reliable SUV with an alluring list of base features that includes a variety of infotainment must-haves and comfort amenities to keep everyone in the cabin happy. The Equinox has a spacious cabin with a healthy amount of cargo space as well. When it comes to driving dynamics, the compact size makes the Equinox easy to maneuver in tight spaces. It has a capable 175 horsepower 1.5-liter turbo-four engine and a chassis that provides nimble handling.
Right out of the box, the Mitsubishi doesn’t have an infotainment and technology list as robust as the Equinox. Although the 152-horsepower engine is sufficient it doesn’t produce as much power as the Equinox’s, and some families might not be satisfied with the cargo space. On the plus side, the Eclipse Cross is fun to look at. It has a bold exterior design that meets the sporty exterior of the Chevy Equinox head on.
The Chevrolet Equinox is a two-row SUV with seating for up to five passengers. The first and second row are spacious and accommodating. Adults will feel comfortable in both. The Equinox has a long list of available comfort features which includes available heated and ventilated driver and front passenger seats, heated rear outboard seats, available heated steering wheel, active noise cancelation, and available eight-way power adjustable driver seat. The extensive list of add-on features includes things like an available first aid kit as well. Families that have small children will be pleased with the two standard LATCH connectors on the rear outboard seats and the tether anchor in the rear center seat.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a two-row SUV that seats five passengers as well. Some taller passengers may not be comfortable in the Eclipse Cross’s rear seat because it has 4.6 inches less leg space than the Equinox. It has one inch less head room and slightly less hip and shoulder room as well, so the rear seat might be best suited for children. It has the same child car seat as the Eclipse with two complete sets of LATCH connectors and a tether anchor.
Cargo space in the Chevy Equinox surpasses that of the Eclipse Cross. The Chevy Equinox has 29.9 cubic feet of space behind the second row. With the second-row seats folded the Equinox has a total cargo capacity of 63.9 cubic feet of space. The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has 23.4 cubic feet of space behind the second row and a total of 50.1 cubic feet of space. That equates to 13.9 cubic feet less space than what you will find in the Equinox.
The Equinox is laden with standard technology features even in the base model. The entry level LS trim includes a 7.0-inch infotainment system, dual pairing capabilities, voice command pass-through, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, AM/FM stereo, Wi-Fi hotspot capable, and three months of Sirius XM Radio Platinum Plan. Some available features include an upgraded 8.0-inch touchscreen, navigation, wireless device charging and two additional USB ports.
Entry level features in the Eclipse Cross aren’t as accommodating. It has a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a four-speaker stereo, HD Radios, and one USB port. Buyers will have to bump up to a higher trim to get wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and additionally USB ports.
If the superior list of features and more powerful engine in the 2023 Chevy Equinox makes it the SUV for you, contact the team at Bentley Chevrolet or scroll through out online inventory of new and used vehicles to find the right model for you.