2026 Chevy Equinox
The Equinox is a solid compact SUV with a strong starting price. The CX-5 includes standard AWD, a larger Google screen, and an interior a full class above -- at the same price once AWD is added.
Equinox advantages shown as plain data. CX-5 wins are marked. Make your own call.
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 2026 Chevy Equinox | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $29,990 -- AWD included | $28,800 (FWD only) |
| MSRP with AWD | $29,990 -- AWD standard WIN | ~$30,300 (LT + AWD option) |
| All-Wheel Drive | i-ACTIV AWD -- every trim, no upcharge WIN | Optional on all trims -- ~$1,500 extra |
| Horsepower | 187 HP -- 2.5L SKYACTIV-G WIN | 175 HP -- 1.5L turbo |
| Transmission (AWD) | 6-speed automatic WIN | 8-speed auto (AWD) / CVT (FWD) |
| Fuel Economy (Combined, AWD) | 26 MPG | 26 MPG (AWD) / 27 MPG (FWD) |
| Cargo Space (Seats Up) | 33.7 cu ft WIN | 29.8 cu ft |
| Cargo Space (Seats Folded) | 66.5 cu ft WIN | 63.5 cu ft |
| Infotainment Screen | 12.9" Google Built-In (up to 15.6") WIN | 11.3" Google Built-In |
| Interior Material Quality | Best-in-class compact SUV WIN | Competitive -- cohesive design |
| IIHS Top Safety Pick+ | Awarded 2026 WIN | Not confirmed for 2026 |
| Base MSRP (FWD) | $29,990 | $28,800 -- Equinox leads FWD entry price |
| Basic Warranty | 3yr / 36,000 mi | 3yr / 36,000 mi (tie) |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5yr / 60,000 mi | 5yr / 60,000 mi (tie) |
Every 2026 CX-5 -- from the base 2.5 S to the Premium Plus -- includes i-ACTIV AWD at no extra cost. The system monitors 27 data points per second and pre-distributes torque before wheelspin begins. On a wet I-85 on-ramp near Durham or an icy January morning on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, proactive AWD outperforms a reactive system.
The Equinox starts in FWD on all three trims. AWD adds approximately $1,500 to any trim. Many buyers choose the lower base price and skip AWD entirely -- which means many Equinoxes on Triangle roads are FWD vehicles.
Both the CX-5 and the Equinox ship with Google Built-In -- Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store integrated natively. That is a genuine tie on software. Where they diverge is screen size. The CX-5 ships with a 12.9-inch display standard. The Equinox ships with an 11.3-inch display. The top CX-5 Premium Plus steps up to 15.6 inches.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on both. Both support over-the-air software updates. The 12.9-inch CX-5 screen is simply more readable and easier to use on the move -- navigating to Duke University Medical Center or finding a spot near Jordan Lake feels different at that size.
The 2026 CX-5 carries soft-touch materials across all primary contact surfaces. Reviewers consistently describe it as the most refined interior in the compact SUV segment -- not comparable-to-some-luxury-vehicles, but genuinely best-in-class for the money. Panel gaps are tight. The cabin is quiet. Rear legroom grew to 39.9 inches in the all-new generation.
The Equinox has a more cohesive interior design than past generations. U.S. News called it "much nicer-looking" than several rivals. That is an honest compliment -- but it still sits a level below the CX-5 in tactile quality. Hard plastic surfaces appear in the door panels and lower dash. For the Triangle buyer who spends an hour each day commuting on I-40, the CX-5 feels more like a place to be.
- CX-5: soft-touch materials on all primary surfaces
- CX-5: 39.9 inches rear legroom -- grew with new generation
- Equinox: 40 inches rear legroom -- nearly identical
- Equinox: more hard plastic on door panels and lower dash
The Equinox wins one comparison clearly: base MSRP. At $28,800 in FWD, it starts $1,190 less than the CX-5. For buyers who do not need AWD and are stretching a budget, that is a real advantage. Once you add AWD to the Equinox LT ($1,500), the CX-5 is actually less expensive -- at $29,990 vs roughly $30,300.
On cargo, the CX-5 carries more. 33.7 cubic feet vs 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats -- nearly 4 more cubic feet in everyday use. Packing for a trip down US-64 to the Outer Banks or loading gear for Falls Lake, that difference shows up. The Equinox's flat cargo floor is a practical advantage for loading heavy or awkward items.
The 2026 Chevy Equinox is a genuinely good compact SUV. Its $28,800 FWD entry price is the best in this comparison. Its cabin design is more cohesive than past generations. Google Built-In on every trim is a real win. For buyers on a tighter budget who do not need AWD, the Equinox is worth a test drive and should not be dismissed.
For most Triangle buyers who want a complete package, the CX-5 wins. It includes standard AWD on every trim -- no upcharge, no decision to make. Its 12.9-inch Google screen is larger than the Equinox's 11.3-inch display. It carries 4 more cubic feet of cargo. Its interior quality is the best in the compact SUV class. And once you add AWD to the Equinox LT, the CX-5 is actually less expensive. On I-40, Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, and NC-54, it also simply drives better -- a difference you feel after five minutes behind the wheel.
We are the Mazda dealer on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Our team serves Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill with new, used, and certified pre-owned Mazda inventory. We focus exclusively on Mazda.
We do not sell the Equinox. That makes us the wrong place for a perfectly neutral comparison. It also means our team knows the CX-5 to a depth that a multi-brand Chevy dealer cannot match -- every trim, every feature, every question Triangle buyers ask before they sign.
The nearest Chevrolet dealer to Durham is Leith Chevrolet of Raleigh, roughly 25 minutes east on I-40. Sport Durst Mazda is right here on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Drive both vehicles on real Triangle roads. Then come back and compare your notes. The CX-5 tends to win that test. Call (919) 873-4428 and we will set up a time.
Answers to the questions Triangle buyers ask when comparing these two. Both are solid. These help clarify which one fits your situation.
Does the 2026 Mazda CX-5 come with AWD as standard like comparable Equinox trims?
The 2026 Mazda CX-5 includes i-ACTIV AWD as standard on every trim at no extra cost. The 2026 Chevy Equinox starts in FWD on all three trims -- AWD adds approximately $1,500. For buyers comparing AWD-equipped versions of both vehicles, the CX-5 is actually the lower-cost option.
How does the Mazda CX-5 compare to the Equinox in price when both have AWD?
The CX-5 starts at $29,990 with AWD already included. An Equinox LT with AWD starts around $30,300. At that comparable price, the CX-5 also ships with a 12.9-inch Google Built-In screen vs the Equinox's 11.3-inch display, and 187 HP vs 175 HP.
Which has a better infotainment screen -- the CX-5 or the Equinox?
Both use Google Built-In -- Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Play Store are natively integrated on both vehicles. The difference is size. The CX-5 ships with a 12.9-inch touchscreen standard and up to 15.6 inches on the Premium Plus. The Equinox ships with an 11.3-inch screen across all trims. Both support wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.
Is the CX-5 more powerful than the Equinox?
Yes. The 2026 CX-5 produces 187 HP from its 2.5L four-cylinder. The Equinox produces 175 HP from its 1.5L turbocharged engine -- 12 HP less. The CX-5 also uses a 6-speed automatic with AWD. The Equinox FWD model pairs with a CVT that some reviewers find less responsive during acceleration onto I-40 or I-85.
Which SUV has more cargo space -- the CX-5 or the Equinox?
The CX-5 carries more. 33.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats vs the Equinox's 29.8 -- nearly 4 more cubic feet in everyday use. With seats folded, the CX-5 offers 66.5 cubic feet vs 63.5 for the Equinox. The Equinox does have a flat cargo floor that makes loading easier for large flat items.
Is the Mazda CX-5 a good commuter for the I-40 corridor between Durham and RTP?
Yes. The CX-5's standard AWD, 26 MPG combined, and quiet cabin make it a strong daily commuter on I-40 between Durham and Research Triangle Park. The 12.9-inch Google Built-In display handles navigation hands-free. The sport-tuned chassis makes the drive more engaging than most commutes -- which matters when you are on the same road every day.
Where is the nearest Chevy dealer to Sport Durst Mazda in Durham?
The nearest Chevrolet dealer is Leith Chevrolet of Raleigh, approximately 25 minutes east on I-40. Sport Durst Mazda is right here on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd for all CX-5 sales and service. For Triangle buyers in Durham, Chapel Hill, or the western Raleigh suburbs, Sport Durst is the closer Mazda service point.
How does the CX-5 handle winter weather on NC roads compared to the Equinox?
The CX-5 includes standard i-ACTIV AWD that monitors 27 data points per second and proactively distributes torque before wheelspin starts. The Equinox AWD system -- when it is equipped -- is reactive rather than proactive. For wet roads on I-85 or icy January mornings on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, the proactive approach matters. Many Equinoxes on Triangle roads are also FWD only, since buyers skip the AWD option to save $1,500.
Can I test drive the 2026 Mazda CX-5 at Sport Durst Mazda in Durham?
Yes. Sport Durst Mazda is at 4515 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd in Durham. Call (919) 873-4428 or browse current CX-5 inventory at sportdurstmazda.com. We suggest driving the Equinox first if you can -- the comparison is more convincing when you have sat in both vehicles on the same roads.
Standard AWD. 12.9-inch Google Built-In. Best-in-class interior. $29,990 to start with AWD included. Sport Durst Mazda is on Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
