If you could pick between a Chevy Malibu or an Equinox

[JamaicanPineapple]

Equinox. I like the look of them and I think I would like having a small SUV over a car.

I drive the equivalent of a Malibu now (a Ford Fusion) but would love a small SUV next.

[Saint Monica]

A Honda Civic.

[malibu]

I drive a Malibu. If and when we get a new vehicle, I'd go for the Equinox for the space. We need to borrow SUVs/trucks just enough that it would be worth it to have the space. FWIW, my SIL has an Equinox and has no issues with it, they love it.

[emoflamingo]

I have an 06 Equinox and while it's an upgrade from what I had (06 Focus that got totaled) and the gas mileage isn't awful (I get around 18-20mpg, depending on how much highway I take on that tank and I also drive like Mario Andretti), I do wish it had slightly more cargo space but that's kid-related.

My SIL has a 2014 Equinox and I am jealous of it. She is the one who showed me the back seat moves back and forth!

[spindle92]

If I am thinking correctly, the equinox is smaller than the traverse right?
My sister has the traverse and it is fine space wise but I think the equinox was my last rental car and the leg room in the back was really tight and the cargo area was not all that big.

Now my SIL drives a Malibu and the leg room is just fine in back. We are a tall family though so leg room is kind of important to us.

[melmo1122]

My parents have both. I have a smaller SUV so I like the equinox but my dad's Malibu is very nice and drives/rides very well. So it depends If you prefer a car or SUV.

[JamaicanPineapple]

Jan 27, 2015 13:35:34 GMT -5 @scottydeux said:

Yes, the Equinox is smaller. My current car is very compact. I would not be loading too many people or children in the back, but I am glad to know that it's small back there. I am going to check them out in-person in a month. I really like how the Malibu rides/looks.

Mainly, this will be a one person vehicle with dog(s) in the back.

I guess I would change my answer to the Malibu then, for gas mileage purposes.

[aprilsails]

Either one is good. I have a 2011 Equinox right now and I like it well. We went with it (over a Malibu) since we only have one car and the extra space is useful for trips to the cottage, etc.

If you only get the 2WD model I would suggest snow tires (depending on where you live). I definitely find it easier to drive on snow tires in the winter, but I'm in the great frozen North. We would never need the 4WD for where we go and the 4 cylinder model in eco drive has great gas mileage.

[gozf]

I have a 2014 Equinox, and I love it. It's not great on gas, admittedly, but it's not terrible. It was important for me to get a vehicle with AWD, because my last car was terrible in the snow -- and we get a fair amount of snow here. Plus, my town is hilly.

It's perfect for me, but if I lived in a warmer climate, I might not have been as interested in it.

Also. My friend has the 2 wheel drive version, and she reports that it still handles well in snow, and is a lot better on gas. Something to consider.

[verycontrary247]

I have an 03 Malibu, my dad has an 06 Malibu, my sister has an 09 Malibu.

With that being said, I would not recommend anyone getting a Malibu. So many problems. I guess if it's a shorter lease it might not matter, but definitely don't buy one.

[gingery]

Last year I went from a Malibu to an Equinox and hands down I'd go with the Equinox. I'm a single parent and we drive quite a bit for my daughters dance competitions along with all the crap to go with it and the Malibu was just way too small for us. Outside of that I just enjoy the drive feel of the Equinix over the Malibu.

[gingery]

I should note my Malibu was an 08 and I always had front end noise with it. My Equinox is 2WD and I live in Michigan and have had no issues with snow and the gas mileage is good

[meij]

I've had both and until recently both at the same time.

I like the Equinox better and like having the AWD in winter.

The cargo and backseat were much bigger in Malibu.

[curtains]

Another Equinox vote over here. It is our company car and we could choose between the Malibu and the Equinox. Thise of us with the Equinox seem to like it more, really just because of the extra room thank anything else.

[candyland]

Equinox. I do not like to be low to the ground.

[maryjane]

another vote for the equinox.

i was at a complete stop & was rear-ended on the way to the vet.

eq was drivable- the frame was fine, but we needed a new bumper, back hatch & muffler.

the toyota highlander that hit us was totaled.

it's also super comfy on road trips.

[Deleted]

I have a CR-V which is similar to the Equinox. I really like having a small SUV and mine does well in snow--so especially if they offer an AWD option it's really nice.

[sparty04]

I have a 2013 Equinox and love it. Good gas mileage (4 cyl) and its good in the snow. We actually traded in a 07 Malibu for it. We liked the Malibu, just needed more space.