Car Prices Blogs

Car buyers who want a different approach for an everyday-usable car will have a lot to love about the Chevrolet Equinox and the new Mazda CX-5, two of the best small SUV’s in performance and in price.

The Chevrolet Equinox provides unrivaled bang for the buck. It starts at just above $23,000 while having a premium cabin and a luxurious ride, similar to what you can expect from a car costing twice as much.

On the other side of the spectrum is the all new 2013 Mazda CX-5. The interior is simple, plain, yet elegant, but it fails to match up against the plush Chevy Equinox. However, the Mazda CX-5 has a lot of aces up its sleeve.

It benefits from Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G technology. In lay man’s speak, SKYACTIV-G enhances engine and transmission performance, reduces overall vehicle weight, and makes the car more fuel efficient. The Mazda CX-5 is also fun to drive, with sporty handling and accurate steering.

It is only fair to compare the Chevrolet Equinox with the Mazda CX-5. Here is our car price review:

Chevrolet Equinox

The Chevy Equinox is similar to the Dodge Durango in terms of size classification: it slots in nicely between small and medium without going overboard. Chevrolet wanted the Equinox to have more interior space, and the size is further magnified by the butch stance and the aggressive arch of the front and rear fenders.

The base Chevy Equinox starts at $23,500 while the top-of-the-line LTZ model starts at $29,220. Power comes in the form of either a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 184hp and 22/32 MPG, or a 3.0-liter V6 with 264hp and 17/24 MPG. The engines are governed by a six-speed automatic transmission with front-wheel drive, but serious off-roaders can choose the available AWD system for maximum traction and grip on unpaved roads.

The rear seats of the Chevy Equinox are roomier than what the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V has to offer, but this manages to impede rear cargo room. The best thing about the Chevy Equinox is the build quality and upscale feel of the cabin. The suspension was also tuned to filter out road noise, harshness, and vibrations.

Mazda CX-5

Mazda vehicles are known for two things: sportiness and low price. With that in mind, let us introduce the all new 2013 Mazda CX-5. Mazda engineers managed to reinvent the compact SUV and make people forget the equally-talented Mazda CX-7.

However, the Mazda CX-5 goes beyond expectations with best-in-class fuel economy, exhilarating performance, and a sporty yet comfortable ride. Driving the Mazda CX-5 will make you think that you are driving a German compact sedan, minus the upscale cabin and expensive amenities.

Power comes courtesy of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 155hp. You might think that this is not enough, but the new engine is able to deliver thrilling acceleration while returning 26 city/33 highway MPG with the standard manual transmission. Prices start at $20,695 for the base model CX-5 and around $27,000 for the top-of-the-line Grand Touring model.

Both vehicles can accommodate five passengers and small to medium cargo. Both vehicles are cleverly-designed to stand out from the rest of the pack. If you want a comfortable compact SUV with generous amounts of luxury then the Chevy Equinox is worth a look. However, if you want your small SUV to be nimble and fun to drive, look no further than the Mazda CX-5.