2026 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
Comparison Overview
Picking between the redesigned 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and the value-focused 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport can feel like choosing between modern tech and pure savings. The central dilemma often revolves around size versus sticker price. The Equinox commands a higher MSRP of $28,600 compared to the Outlander Sport's $24,995 entry point, a notable difference of $3,605. However, the Chevy provides significantly more presence and power, boasting 175 hp versus the Mitsubishi’s 148 hp. If you need space, the Equinox offers 29.8 cu ft of cargo capacity, substantially more than the Outlander Sport's 21.7 cu ft. Fuel economy is close, with the Equinox netting a slightly better 27 combined MPG versus the Outlander Sport’s 26 combined MPG, ensuring neither choice breaks the bank on daily runs.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2026 Chevrolet Equinox
The Equinox offers marginally better combined efficiency at 27 MPG and provides a more comfortable, larger cabin for daily driving stress relief.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox
With 29.8 cubic feet of cargo space, the Equinox easily handles family gear compared to the Outlander Sport’s 21.7 cubic feet.
2026 Chevrolet Equinox
The 175 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in the Equinox provide a noticeable performance advantage over the Outlander Sport's 148 hp.
2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
The Outlander Sport saves buyers $3,605 upfront while still delivering respectable 26 combined MPG.
Choose the Chevrolet Equinox if...
- You prioritize maximum utility and need 29.8 cu ft of cargo space behind the second row.
- You want the extra 27 horsepower for more responsive highway merging or passing maneuvers.
- You prefer the larger footprint of the 183.2-inch long crossover for road presence.
Choose the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport if...
- Keeping the initial purchase price under $25,000 is crucial, saving $3,605.
- You prioritize All-Wheel Drive capability right out of the box for better traction.
- You want the slightly better highway mileage rating of 29 MPG compared to Car 1's 28 MPG.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Chevrolet Equinox | Mitsubishi Outlander Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.2" | 171.9" |
| Width | 74.9" | 71.3" |
| Height | 65.6" | 64.8" |
| Wheelbase | 107.5" | 105.1" |
Features Comparison
Safety
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Solid Disc Brakes | — | ✓ |
| Brake Assist | — | ✓ |
Engine
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Base Engine Displacement | 1.5 L | 2.0 L |
| Number of Cylinders | inline 4 | inline 4 |
| Base Engine Type | gas | gas |
| Horsepower | 175 hp @ 5600 rpm | 148 hp @ 6000 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm | 145 lb-ft @ 4200 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission Type | continuously variable-speed automatic | continuously variable-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain Type | front wheel drive | all wheel drive |
Fuel
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway) | 26/28 MPG | 23/29 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 27 MPG | 26 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 384.8/414.4 mi. | 363.4/458.2 mi. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.8 gal. | 15.8 gal. |
Comfort & Convenience
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror | — | ✓ |
In Car Entertainment
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Display | 11.3 in | 8.0 in |
| AM/FM Stereo | ✓ | ✓ |
| Speaker System | 6 | 4 |
| 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 | 3 months |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | ✓ | — |
| Android Auto (Wired) | — | ✓ |
| Apple CarPlay (Wired) | — | ✓ |
Power Feature
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| One-Touch Power Windows | 4 | 1 |
| Keyless Entry | ✓ | — |
| Heated Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Remote Keyless Entry | — | ✓ |
Frontseats
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Front Head Room | 40.0 in. | 39.4 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 40.9 in. | 41.6 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 57.7 in. | 56.2 in. |
| Front Hip Room | 54.2 in. | 52.1 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 | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Head Room | 39.2 in. | 37.9 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 39.9 in. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 55.8 in. | 55.5 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 51.7 in. | 51.6 in. |
| Split-Folding Rear Seatback | ✓ | ✓ |
| Folding Center Armrest | ✓ | ✓ |
Tires and Wheels
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel Finish | Painted Alloy | — |
| Wheel Diameter | 17 in | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | 235/65R17 | P215/70R16 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
| Wheel Size | — | 16 x 6.5 in |
Suspension
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Four-Wheel Independent Suspension | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Stabilizer Bar | ✓ | ✓ |
Warranty
| Feature | Chevrolet | Mitsubishi |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Warranty | 3 yr./ 36000 mi. | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. |
| Drivetrain Warranty | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 10 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Corrosion/Rust Warranty | 6 yr./ 100000 mi. | 7 yr./ 100000 mi. |
| Roadside Assistance | 5 yr./ 60000 mi. | 5 yr./ unlimited mi. |
| Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance | 1 yr./ unlimited mi. | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about comparing the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.
How significant is the power difference between the two crossovers?
The 2026 Equinox generates 175 horsepower, which is 27 hp more than the Outlander Sport’s 148 hp. This difference will be felt most during acceleration and when the vehicle is fully loaded.
Is the extra money for the Equinox worth it if I often carry lots of gear?
Yes, if space is vital, the Equinox provides 29.8 cu ft of cargo volume compared to the Outlander Sport’s 21.7 cu ft. That's a difference of over 8 cubic feet for hauling essentials.
Which car is better for city commuting based on MPG?
The Equinox is slightly better in the city with a 26 MPG city rating compared to the Outlander Sport’s 23 MPG city rating, although both use regular unleaded fuel.
Why would I choose the Outlander Sport if it has less horsepower?
The Outlander Sport is the winner for budget-conscious buyers, priced $3,605 less than the Equinox, making it a very accessible option while still offering standard All-Wheel Drive.
Are the physical sizes vastly different for parking?
The Equinox is noticeably larger, measuring 183.2 inches in length versus the Outlander Sport’s 171.9 inches. The Equinox is also wider at 74.9 inches compared to 71.3 inches.
Do either of these crossovers offer manual driving options?
No, both the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport come equipped exclusively with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT).
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