2010 Chevy Equinox vs 2011 Kia Sorento vs 2010 Toyota Rav 4
The new trend among hot-selling mini-crossovers (or bite-size crossovers, if you will) is for auto manufacturers to offer these often times very heavy vehicles with both 4 and 6 cylinder engines. Even if the 4-cylinder only gets a gallon or two better on the EPA fuel economy cycle, many times a buyer will choose it just because they associate 4 cylinders with efficiency.
But then there are some highly efficient small crossovers with four cylinders that probably don’t need an optional six (the Honda CR-V springs to mind) but to be fair everyone knows what a strong contender the CR-V is so it hasn’t been included in this test.
The 2010 Toyota RAV4, 2010 Chevy Equinox and 2011 Kia Sorento are easily the three best small crossover/SUVs that offer alternatives to the standard Honda CR-V route. All three of these models also just so happen to offer the optional 6 cylinder engines that the Honda lacks. Who wants to take bets that the next generation CR-V has an optional six-cylinder? Or perhaps they will just go Honda rogue and start offering a turbo-charged 4 like in the Acura RDX. Now that would be cool.
2010 Toyota RAV4
Not only did the RAV4 invent the “cute-ute” genre but it also was the first crossover/SUV this size to offer optional V6 power. Despite being the oldest design here the 2010 RAV4 also still manages to look surprisingly fresh. It has always been and remains one of Toyota’s most pleasing stylistic endeavors inside and out.
The basic RAV4 has a perfectly adequate 179 horsepower 2.5 liter 4 cylinder that can do 28 miles per gallon highway. The optional 3.5 liter V6 with 269 horses turns the little RAV4 into an adorable mini-hot road thanks in part to the nimble nature of its handling and steering. The 2010 Toyota RAV4 really is one of the most enjoyable to drive small utility vehicles on the market today.
A fully loaded V6 AWD version with a third row of seats, premium audio and leather can easily top the $30,000 mark but with things the way they are at Toyota nowadays, dealers may be more willing to negotiate than ever before. And when it comes to buying a RAV4 it remains one of the smartest buys for people who need a sensibly sized vehicle with lots of utility.
(Note: At the time of this writing this model is not for sale due to a gas pedal defect that Toyota is rectifying. This recall has no impact whatsoever on the abilities or strengths of the RAV4 as an overall product so it in no way affected my judgement.)
2010 Chevy Equinox
If the future of General Motors is as good as the Equinox then there is hope left yet for this troubled American business giant. The quality found in the craftsmanship of the 2010 Chevy Equinox feels good, it has a class leading powertrain and it is more spacious than most of the competition. Whereas GM makes a lot of SUV-type vehicles, the 2010 Chevy Equinox is easily the smartest buy as it is the one best suited to our downsized economic times.
The Equinox is one cute-ute that needs no extra six cylinder option as the four cylinder engine gets a class leading 32 miles per gallon highway all the while it still pumps out 182 horsepower. But Chevy does offer a 3.0 liter 264 horsepower 6 cylinder for those with a heavy right foot.
Starting at $22,615, even the basic model Equinox feels very solidly built but if you do want luxuries like leather, Bluetooth, all-wheel drive or a back-up camera you do have to pay extra. While a fully loaded example can set you back over $30,000 the smartest buys are probably the mid-level editions which average nearer the $25,000 mark.
Do take note, however, that you may want to buy the top level LTZ trim if you have a small and low garage space. This model comes with a level adjuster for the power operated tailgate so the hatch will never bang into the garage door overhead. Very clever GM. It has been so long since the General had an innovative feature in any of its vehicles so I think that they really should be commended for their renewed and truly American “can-do” spirit. And the Equinox is proof of that.
2011 Kia Sorento
Whereas many people have suggested that the “cool-car” revolution started at Kia with the Soul and the Forte, I think this company really leapt into the big leagues with the launch of the 2011 Sorento. This is truly one impressive SUV and if you covered up all the logos you would probably have a hard time guessing who made it. And based on the last generation Sorento with its atrociously pig-ugly styling that is a good thing.
Available with a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder with 175 horsepower and a nearly as efficient 276 horsepower 3.5 liter V6, the 2011 Sorento is the first Kia model to be built in the United States. Kia spent about a $1 Billion Dollars on a new state of the art Georgia plant. So by buying a 2011 Kia Sorento you are also buying American: at least helping save American jobs.
Although there is a Sorento model for most any pocketbook, do be aware that a top of the line model can max out at over $34,000. But to be honest this SUV is so good that it might just be worth it. A top line EX V6 model also comes with rear-seat entertainment, 7 passenger seating, navigation, 10-Speaker Infinity audio, back-up camera, heated seats, leather upholstery and more.
Who Wins?
Right now my class-favorite is the 2011 Sorento just because it gives you more power, room, features and warranty for your buck. And those are all highly important attributes to have when marketing a cute-ute crossover in 2010.
