With inflation affecting new car prices, $5 can make or break the bank. That’s why we’re looking at what $5 will get you between the 2022 Chevy Equinox ($26,995) and the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander ($26,990. We weren’t kidding, it’s a $5 difference). How do those 500 pennies affect you in the long run, and is it worth it to sink in the extra dough for the Chevy, or settle for the Mitsubishi?

For an extra $5 you get more safety features

The 2022 Chevy Equinox is pretty basic in terms of features, but that’s the case for most base-model cars. That said, you do get Apple CarPlay/Android Auto built into the Equinox’s standard 7-inch touchscreen. The base Outlander, on the other hand, comes with an 8-inch screen but no CarPlay connectivity.

However, the main advantage of the Equinox is the standard safety features, ones that are optional on the Mitsubishi Outlander. This includes frontal collision warnings, automatic emergency braking, and a rearview camera. There’s also standard lane keep assist, which catches the driver if they start to drift out of their lane. And the Equinox has already received a 5-star safety rating, whereas the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander hasn’t been reviewed yet.

So, in terms of a compact SUV, that extra $5 gets you a lot of extra goodies. But what if you’re hungry and want a sandwich? If decide to get one, all of a sudden, you’re priced out of the Equinox. Okay, perhaps that’s an exaggeration. If $5 is the tipping point as to whether or not you can buy a new car, you probably shouldn’t buy a new car. But the Outlander actually has a key advantage for just $5 less: more seating.

That $5 is the difference between 5 seats and 7 seats

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander actually has multiple advantages over the Chevy Equinox, but the most significant is that, for $5 less, you get two extra seats. What a steal! Provided, Kelley Blue Book deems the third row only usable for children, but if you have a large family with a couple of younger kids, just stuff them in the back and all is well. That third row does eat up cargo space, with just 11.7 cubic feet in comparison to the Equinox’s 29.9 cu-ft.

Put all the seats down and things shift in favor of the Outlander, which boasts 79.7 cubic feet over 69.3 cu-ft in the Equinox. It’s also slightly roomier in the front, with about an inch more headroom and legroom. But those are small numbers. What may make convince buyers to give Mitsubishi a shot is a more powerful engine.

The Equinox is fitted with the “sporty” RS engine, an inline four-cylinder turbo that only puffs out 171 horsepower. On the other hand, the Outlander’s 2.5L four-cylinder makes 181 hp. But in terms of torque, the Equinox stomps the outlander with 203 lb-ft over 181 lb-ft.

The deeper you look into it, the more you realize just how split the decision between the Chevy Equinox and the Mitsubishi Outlander is. They’re not the same kind of car, but in terms of value, they’re both strong contenders. Deciding which is right for you all depends on what you’re looking for.

Which is the better value?

Sure, you get more seats with the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. For many, not being able to fit the entire family in the car is a dealbreaker (unless you just leave the kids at home). So, if you’re looking for passenger volume, the Outlander is the way to go. But there’s no denying you get more amenities and features in the Chevy Equinox.

If you can do without the back row, your occupants will be safer, they’ll be able to listen to their music, and your gas mileage will be one mpg better. You get more space in the Outlander, but you get more stuff in the Equinox. So, for 5,933 sandwiches (or $26,995) the Equinox is better for quality of living. But if you need the space, for just a sandwich less, the Outlander will serve you well and beat that posh Equinox in a drag race.