Richard Posluszny: The Equinox is a rare bird. It's large enough to be a midsize SUV, but it's priced like a compact SUV. This makes the Equinox unique versus its competition. Redesigned for 2011 is the Ford Edge. Because it's about the same size as the Equinox, the two get compared a lot. Boasting a new interior the Edge definitely looks sleek. Additionally, the Edge has standard V6 power and more cargo space which will be useful if you have more gear all around.

Here is the downer though. If you're on a budget, its $4,500 premium may make you steer clear of the Edge. This is where Toyota may have you smitten. Priced $1,000 less than the Equinox, the RAV4 has some options that may catch your eye. Take for instance, the RAV4's optional third row. It increases the sitting capacity to 7 even though most reviewers say the third row passengers will not be comfortable. Like the Equinox, the RAV4 has an optional V6. On the downside though, the Toyota's highway fuel economy just can't keep pace with the Equinox.

Like the RAV4, the Honda CR-V is also cheaper than the Equinox, but there are some things you may not like. It has worst fuel economy and personally, its looks are questionable at best. While the Equinox isn't winning design awards, it at least has some flair. But with the bad comes the good; the CR-V has 9 more cubic feet of cargo space and reviewers think it has the best built quality in the class.

So this is the wrap up. The Equinox is a unique SUV because it's large enough to be compared to midsized SUVs, but its price is closer to that of a compact. Although it's not a high performance machine, it makes up for that with its comfortable interior and ride quality. It can't keep up with the competition when it comes to cargo, but the competition can't keep up with the Equinox's gas mileage or its feature filled interior.