VS
At a Glance
Power
175hp @ 5600
174hp @ 5500
Torque
203lb-ft @ 2000-4000
184lb-ft @ 1750
Fuel
27 mpg est.
29 mpg est.
Engine
—
1.5 L/91ci
Choosing between the Chevrolet Equinox and the Volkswagen Taos is one of the most common decisions car buyers in the United States face. The Chevrolet Equinox delivers 175hp @ 5600 while the Volkswagen Taos produces 174hp @ 5500. On fuel, the Equinox returns 27 mpg est. while the Taos uses 29 mpg est. — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at $35,600 for the Equinox and $28,200 for the Taos. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Specification
Chevrolet EquinoxAWD 4dr ACTIV w/KDZ 2026 - From $35,600
Volkswagen TaosS 4MOTION 2026 - From $28,200
Performance
Power Output (hp)
175hp @ 5600
174hp @ 5500
Torque (lb-ft)
203lb-ft @ 2000-4000
184lb-ft @ 1750
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
—
1.5 L/91ci
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Gasoline
Forced Induction Device
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Number of Gears
8
8
Drive Wheels
All Wheel Drive
All Wheel Drive
Fuel Economy
Fuel Economy (Combined, est.)
27 mpg est.
29 mpg est.
Fuel Economy - City (mpg)
25mpg
25mpg
Fuel Economy - Highway (mpg)
29mpg
33mpg
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal)
15.6gal
14.5gal
Dimensions
Length (in)
183.2in
175.8in
Width (in)
74.9in
72.5in
Height (in)
65.6in
64.6in
Wheelbase (in)
107.5in
105.6in
Curb Weight (lbs)
3607lbs
3437lbs
Safety
ABS
—
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
—
✓ Standard
Traction Control
—
✓ Standard
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
✓ Standard
—
Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Backup Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Rear Parking Aid
✓ Standard
—
Sunroof
✓ Standard
—
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Power Seat Adjustment
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Trailer Hitch
✓ Standard
—
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Volkswagen Taos
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Equinox
Fuel Economy
Taos
Value
Taos
Practicality
Tied
Pros & Cons
Chevrolet Equinox
Well-rounded specification
Higher fuel consumption (27 mpg est.)
Higher starting price
Volkswagen Taos
Better fuel economy (29 mpg est.)
Lower starting price ($28,200)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Equinox or Taos?
The Equinox gets 27 mpg est. and the Taos gets 29 mpg est. on the combined cycle. The Taos is the more fuel-efficient choice. In real-world conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, actual figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Equinox or Taos?
The Equinox produces 175hp @ 5600 and 203lb-ft @ 2000-4000 of torque while the Taos delivers 174hp @ 5500 and 184lb-ft @ 1750 of torque. They produce closely matched power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Equinox and Taos?
The Equinox starts from $35,600 and the Taos from $28,200. The Taos is cheaper by $7,400 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Equinox or the Taos?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the mpg figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day driving - commutes, school runs and highway trips - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.