Sport utility vehicles have come a long way since the clunky box that had little control on the highway. SUV’s used to be built on truck platforms, which gave them a heavier feel and bulkier ride. Now built on a car platform (http://www.edmunds.com/suv/before-buy.html), these crossover vehicles can be competitively compared to a standard sedan. The Chevy Equinox is a car-based SUV that has the same attributes as the mid-size passenger car, the Chevrolet Malibu, such as easier handling and a quieter, more enjoyable ride. The Malibu has been redesigned to be as comfortable as a luxury vehicle with a better performance than other vehicles in its class. The Chevrolet Equinox might boast a roomier interior like most crossovers, but the Chevrolet Malibu is a better value, not only because of price but also gas mileage, safety and interior space. While the price of an SUV used to be significantly higher than a mid-size sedan, with the invention of the smaller, car-based models, prices are now comparable. The Malibu starts at $21,995 and goes up to $29,700. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-Chevrolet-Malibu-2013/safety-features/) The Equinox starts at $24,155 and, depending on the features, can max out at $32,665. (http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Chevrolet_Equinox/) Projected resale value for a standard model Malibu priced at $23,150 after one year is 68% or $15,742. After five years, it drops to 36% or $8,334. (http://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/malibu/2013-chevrolet-malibu/ls/?vehicleid=378427&intent=buy-new) The Equinox’s projected resale value for a standard model after one year is slightly higher at 71% or $17,761. It equals the Malibu at 36% or $9.005 after 5 years. (http://www.kbb.com/chevrolet/equinox/2013-chevrolet-equinox/) For a long term commitment, the sedan holds its value as well as the SUV. The gas mileage between the Malibu and Equinox are vastly similar, also. The Malibu averages 25 miles per gallon in the city and 34 miles per gallon on the highway. The Equinox averages 22 city miles and 32 highway miles so there is not much difference. The 2013 Malibu includes an Ecotec 4 cylinder turbo charged engine with direct injection and variable valve timing that works with a 15 kw motor generator unit. This allows the car to automatically switch from gas to a lithium ion battery once the car comes to a complete stop, which saves on mileage. (http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu-mid-size-sedan.html) The Equinox is made with an aluminum engine block and cylinder head, which are lower mass materials that reduce the engine workload . (http://www.autowebnew.com/chevrolet-equinox/) The Malibu has “aerodynamic details to guide airflow around the vehicle to increase fuel efficiency by decreasing resistance.” (http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu-mid-size-sedan.html) These details include rounded corners, tail lamps and side mirrors. (http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu-mid-size-sedan.html) The Equinox has similar specifics to increase fuel mileage, including roof line, chrome trim, flush-fitting windshield and rear glass, and wrap around lights. (http://m.pressofatlanticcity.com/classified_box/wheels/chevy-s-popular-equinox-crossover-gets-new-v/article_c4be4d71-0178-59c2-b98b-790fd55eceeb.html) Both vehicles equate their good mileage with electric power steering instead of an engine driven belt. (http://www.chevrolet.com) The Malibu’s power to weight value is 20.2 (http://autos.yahoo.com/chevrolet/malibu/2012/1ls/specifications.html) while the Equinox’s power to weight value is 21 lb/hp. (http://carsort.com/compare/Chevrolet-Equinox-vs-Chevrolet-Tahoe) The gas mileage in the sedan is better than the SUV and is also the safer choice. Sports utility vehicles are not known for safety but the crossover SUV’s have updates that allow them to be almost as safe as a sedan. The Equinox has 6 air bags compared to the Malibu’s 10, but it also has steel safety roll cage. The Equinox also includes a rollover sensor that deploys the side air bags when the vehicle senses it is about to roll over. (http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=1162) The Malibu’s air bags include knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. Both the Malibu and Equinox have 4 wheel anti-lock brake systems and traction control for safety, since they are both required as of 2012 on all new vehicles. They both also have stability control which allows the vehicle to reduce engine speed or apply the brakes when the “vehicles handling limits have been exceeded.” (http://autos.aol.com/cars-Chevrolet-Malibu-2013/safety-features/) Chevrolet Equinox was named one of the top safety picks by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety for 2013. (http://www.iihs.org/ratings/rating.aspx?id=1162) The fact remains, though, that a sedan is safer because it does not have the top weight that can cause a rollover. Interior room can be compared between the Malibu and Equinox with surprising results. The specifications of interior room are amazingly similar between the sedan and the SUV, except for the cargo room. The cargo room in the Malibu is 16.3 cubic feet while the cargo room in the Equinox is a whopping 31.5 cubic feet but this is to be expected in an SUV. By laying down the rear seats the Equinox can even be extended to 63.7 cubic feet. Both vehicles seat 5 comfortably. The front seat leg room is 42.1 inches while the back seat leg room is 36.8 inches inside the Malibu. (http://autos.aol.com/cars-Chevrolet-Malibu-2013/specs/) The Equinox is 41.2 inches in the front leg room and 39.9 inches in the back. The hip room in the front is 55 inches for both the Malibu and Equinox. Back seat hip room, the Malibu has 3 inches more than the 51 inches in the Equinox. While comparing the front shoulder and front head room, the Malibu is larger than the Equinox with 58 inches front shoulder, 57 inches back shoulder, 39 inches front head and 38 inches back head room. The Equinox has 56 inches front shoulder, 55 inches back shoulder, 41 inches front head and 39 inches back head room. (http://www.cars.com/chevrolet/equinox/2013/specifications/) Unless the vehicle is needed for large transports, the Malibu equates, if not exceeds the necessary room for a comfortable ride. The Chevrolet Equinox and the Chevrolet Malibu may not be in the same type of class of vehicle, yet they are very similar. When shopping for a vehicle, size might be the deciding factor. Be careful to closely inspect the actual specifications of the vehicle before paying extra because of roominess. The Equinox and Malibu are prime examples. While the Equinox gets credit for being larger because it is a sports utility vehicle, the Malibu actually has more room inside. The safety standards are different but only because they are in separate classes of vehicle. What one lacks the other makes up for with other kinds of safety equipment. Gas mileage is better on the car but, again, the difference is not significant when remembering the two classes of vehicle. If the vehicle is intended for use for more than a couple of years the resale value is not a deciding factor, either, since at 5 years, the prospected value will be the same. The biggest difference in an Equinox and a Malibu is the cargo room. The difference is large enough to be the deciding factor in the purchase of a new vehicle. For a family vehicle, the inside of each is large enough to be comfortable; it is the amount of luggage that should decide. Even though the Equinox has the size advantage in the trunk, based on price, gas mileage, interior room and price, the Malibu is the more cost effective vehicle.