2026 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Ford Maverick
Comparison Overview
The most significant divergence between the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2026 Ford Maverick lies in fuel economy, where the Maverick achieves an impressive 38 combined MPG compared to the Equinox's 27 combined MPG, a difference of 11 MPG. Pricing is closely contested, with the Maverick starting at a lower $28,145 against the Equinox's $28,600. Power delivery favors the Maverick, offering 191 hp versus the Equinox's 175 hp, though the Equinox counters with superior torque at 184 lb-ft versus the Maverick's 155 lb-ft. Dimensionally, the Equinox is shorter at 183.2 inches long, while the Maverick is notably taller at 68.8 inches. For utility, the Equinox offers 29.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, whereas the Maverick's utility is defined by its truck bed, which is not explicitly quantified here but is a key difference from the Equinox's crossover design.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Ford Maverick
The 2026 Ford Maverick is the definitive winner for commuters due to its class-leading 38 combined MPG rating.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox provides superior contained storage with 29.8 cu ft of enclosed cargo capacity.
2026 Ford Maverick
The Maverick generates higher peak output with 191 hp compared to the Equinox's 175 hp.
2026 Ford Maverick
The 2026 Ford Maverick has a lower entry MSRP of $28,145 and offers significantly better fuel costs reflected in its 38 MPG rating.
Choose the Chevrolet Equinox if...
- You prioritize higher low-end power delivery, as the Equinox delivers 184 lb-ft of torque versus the Maverick's 155 lb-ft.
- You require a traditional enclosed cargo area, offering 29.8 cu ft for secure storage.
- You prefer the shorter overall vehicle length of 183.2 inches for tighter urban parking.
Choose the Ford Maverick if...
- Fuel efficiency is paramount, highlighted by the Maverick's 38 combined MPG rating against the Equinox's 27 MPG.
- You seek the highest horsepower figure, as the Maverick outputs 191 hp versus 175 hp.
- You prefer the slightly lower starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,145.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Equinox | Ford Maverick |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.2" | 199.8" |
| Width | 74.9" | 72.6" |
| Height | 65.6" | 68.8" |
| Wheelbase | 107.5" | 121.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Blind Spot Monitor | ✓ | — |
| Lane Departure Warning | ✓ | — |
| Lane Keeping Assist System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | ✓ | — |
| Pre-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-Collision Safety System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Head Airbags | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction Control System | ✓ | ✓ |
| LATCH System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Child Safety Locks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) | 4-Wheel | 4-Wheel |
| Front Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes | ✓ | — |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | ✓ | ✓ |
| LED Headlights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Headrests | 2 | 2 |
| Front Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Headrests | 2 | 3 |
| Rear Height Adjustable Headrests | ✓ | — |
| Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Engine Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Attention Alert | — | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Preparation System | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.5 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | hybrid |
| Horsepower | 175 hp @ 5600 rpm | 191 hp @ 5600 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 155 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Number of Valves | 16 | 16 |
| Camshaft Type | Double overhead cam (DOHC) | Double overhead cam (DOHC) |
| Variable Valve Timing | Variable | Variable |
| Fuel Injection Type | ✓ | — |
Drive Train
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | electrically variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/28 MPG | 42/35 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 38 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 384.8/414.4 mi. | 579.6/483.0 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.8 gal. | 13.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Push Button Start | ✓ | — |
| Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Audio Controls on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control on Steering Wheel | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Power Steering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear View Camera | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Parking Sensors | ✓ | — |
| Adaptive Cruise Control | ✓ | — |
| Front Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Cupholders | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Door Pockets | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overhead Console with Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seatback Storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Heated Steering Wheel | ✓ | — |
| Single Zone Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Interior Air Filtration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dual Vanity Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cargo Floor Mats | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 11.3 in | 13.2 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 6 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | ✓ | — |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 40.2 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.9 in. | 42.8 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 57.3 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.2 in. | 55.4 in. |
| Seat Material: Cloth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Seat Type: Bucket | ✓ | ✓ |
| Driver Seat Manual Adjustments | 6-way | 6-way |
| Driver Seat Height Adjustment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments | 4-way | 4-way |
| Driver Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
| Passenger Seat Heating | Multi-level | — |
Rearseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.2 in. | 39.6 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.9 in. | 35.9 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.8 in. | 55.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 51.7 in. | 54.1 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | — |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | — |
| Folding Rear Seatback | — | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | Painted Steel |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | 17 in |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R17 | P225/65R17 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Underbody Mounted |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | — |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Suspension Type | — | Independent |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | Ford |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and 2026 Ford Maverick.
What is the primary functional difference between the 2026 Equinox and the 2026 Maverick based on body type?
The Equinox is classified as a Crossover, prioritizing enclosed, secure cargo space up to 29.8 cu ft. The Maverick is fundamentally a truck, offering open-bed utility which differs significantly in how cargo is transported and secured.
How does the difference in horsepower translate to driving dynamics?
The 2026 Maverick offers a 16 hp advantage with 191 hp, suggesting better acceleration capability, though the 2026 Equinox compensates with greater torque (184 lb-ft vs. 155 lb-ft) which aids in hauling or initial pulling power.
Which vehicle is more economical for long-distance highway driving?
The 2026 Ford Maverick is superior for highway economy, rated at 35 MPG highway, significantly outpacing the Equinox's 28 MPG highway rating.
Are there significant size differences impacting maneuverability?
Yes, the Equinox is 16.6 inches shorter in length (183.2 inches vs. 199.8 inches) but the Maverick is slightly wider (74.9 inches vs 72.6 inches) and taller (68.8 inches vs 65.6 inches).
Both vehicles use regular unleaded fuel; what is the annual fuel cost difference based on MPG?
Based on the 11 MPG combined difference (38 vs 27), owners of the Maverick are projected to spend significantly less annually on fuel for comparable mileage driven.
Do the transmission types affect performance?
The Equinox uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission, while the Maverick utilizes an electrically variable-speed automatic transmission; this difference contributes to the efficiency gap, especially given the Maverick's higher combined MPG.
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