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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarUnder $20,000: VW Tiguan vs Chevy Equinox
The Volkswagen Tiguan and Chevrolet Equinox can both be had in low-mileage used form for under $20k, but which one is a better value?
Shopping for a Used Compact SUV
20-grand is no small chunk of change, and in today’s used car market it doesn’t go as far as it once did. That’s why it’s so vital to get a great deal on your next used car and to consider where you’ll get the best value for that money. Crossovers have become one way to almost inevitably get a good value since they offer SUV levels of interior space and cargo while offering car-like driving dynamics and sometimes car-like fuel economy.
That’s where our two combatants come into play today. The Chevrolet Equinox and the Volkswagen Tiguan have both managed to sway a chunk of buyers away from other brands like Honda and Mazda. Today, we’re going to pit them against one another with a maximum price of $20,000. Which will be the better value, the used Volkswagen Tiguan or the used Chevrolet Equinox?
Used Volkswagen Tiguan vs Chevrolet Equinox Specs
For our money, we could get a 2021 Chevrolet Equinox, but we’re going to hold off on that due to high mileage. Instead, we’ll focus on a 2018 model which is under budget and can be found with around 25,000 miles on it. That’s about average for the price, but we’ll get to what options are available a little later in our section about trims. This used Chevrolet Equinox can be found with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 252-horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. It gets 22 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway.
For the same cash we’ll focus on a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. We had a hard time finding a newer one for the money, but this year of choice fits nicely against the Chevy since it also typically comes in around the 25,000 mile range. The 2018 also uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. In the city it achieves 22 mpg and on the highway, that number grows to 27 mpg. It should be noted that both the Equinox and the Tiguan were both updated for 2018, so each one will benefit from new technology and features not seen on older models.
Driving Characteristics
Starting out with the Chevy, the drive is a balanced one. This crossover is meant to be economical, and it does just that. It also provides just a touch of punchy fun when you push the pedal all the way down. No, it’s not fast. It will, however, go from 0-60 in 6.7-seconds which is at least a full second faster than the used Volkswagen Tiguan. Then there’s the Equinox’s ride, which is comfortable and fairly soft. It makes long journeys enjoyable.
The used Volkswagen Tiguan can fell almost exactly the opposite. It’s a bit sleepy to drive thanks to a lackluster powertrain and a slower gearbox than the Chevy. The pedals both feel a bit unrefined as the accelerator isn’t linear and the brake pedal is a touch too soft. Still, it does match, if not beat, the Equinox when it comes to comfort. Ride quality is certainly a point where it’s the winner between these two and that’s seen most often in the corners where the VW rolls less and grips more.
Interior Comfort and Quality
It’s a bit hard to believe how much can be had for our budget when it comes to the inside of a used Volkswagen Tiguan. It’s almost posh in there. The materials feel great and the panel gaps are tight. The layout is comfortable and feels familiar and easy to use. The climate control works well and quickly shifts temperatures without delay. Sight lines are good and the only visibility issue would be with the far rearward blind spots. We really like the stylistic enhancements here that have carried over from the larger VW Atlas SUV.
A used Chevy Equinox is not as generous. In terms of overall comfort and space it does great. It’s not cramped, offers great visibility, and features excellent seats. Beyond that, it’s easy to nitpick the American crossover. The quality of the dash, center control stack, and switchgear isn’t in the same area code as the VW. It’s cheap, hard, and disappointing. Nevertheless, it’s functional and ultimately does its job. Still, we’d love to see Chevrolet reposition things like the climate control vents that seem to be an afterthought.
Trims and Features Available
First, let’s talk about the used Volkswagen Tiguan. For $20,000, the newest model year available with relatively low miles is a 2018. This model of the Tiguan came in four trim levels. Each of them use the exact same 184-horsepower 2.0-liter engine. The first is the Tiguan S which gets features like LED DRLs, a 6.5-inch color touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker sound system. Then there’s the SE which adds an 8-inch touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, leatherette trim, and dual-zone climate control. The SEL then stacks a power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, and remote start onto the SE. Finally, the SEL Premium gets adaptive headlights, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, and a premium audio system to the used Volkswagen Tiguan.
The used Chevrolet Equinox options also came with four trim levels in 2018, but keep in mind that newer ones are also available. For 2018, the base model was the Equinox L, which wasn’t available unless it was ordered. It came with LED DRLs, a 7-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, heated mirrors, and six speakers. The Equinox LS came standard with (and I wish I was kidding) a spare tire, carpeted rear floor mats, and a compass. So yea, maybe avoid the Equinox LS unless it has some optional extras. Then there’s the LT which gets HID headlights, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated mirrors, and tinted rear glass. Buyers could opt for the same 2.0-liter engine we’ve mentioned and in those cases they also got 18-inch wheels. Then there’s the Equinox Premier. It gets leather upholstery, heated front seats, LED headlights and taillights, an 8-inch infotainment system, and dual-zone automatic climate control.
The Winner Is-
2018 Chevrolet Equinox – chevrolet.com | Shop Chevrolet Equinox on Carsforsale.com
If interior quality is the only thing you care about, then the used Volkswagen Tiguan is the clear winner here. If your focus is literally anything else, the used Chevrolet Equinox gets the win. That’s in part due to its good driving dynamics, better fuel economy, and wider selection, but there’s more too. Since its release, the Chevy has seen three recalls. The Tiguan has been subject to no less than 12 in that same time. In general, this Volkswagen is one of the least reliable on the road today and for those in the crossover market, reliability is often an incredibly important factor.
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