2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, especially in its Premier trim, presented a clean and appealing design that avoided the typical SUV styling cues. It featured a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive, and a power panoramic sunroof, with a price tag of $40,040, including destination charges. However, Chevrolet often included rebates and incentives, reducing the cost significantly. The Equinox Premier stood out with its 19-inch wheels and extra chrome detailing, signaling its top-tier status. Inside, the cabin was outfitted with Jet Black and Brandy leather, a panoramic sunroof, and metallic accents, giving it an upscale appearance. Despite this, the interior felt less premium due to the prevalence of hard plastics, which was more acceptable at a lower price point.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation, maintained a familiar and fun design, with lines that were curvy and car-like. It shared a family resemblance with Honda's sedan lineup, leaning more towards a station wagon look. Inside, the CR-V's interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims. However, these clashed with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers of its commodity car roots. The CR-V offered a straightforward lineup with four trim levels, starting at an MSRP of $26,270 for the base LX. It featured a retractable moonroof on all but the LX trim, and roof rails were exclusive to the Touring model.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine options. The standard 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivered 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. It provided adequate performance, with an AWD model averaging 24.3 mpg, slightly below the EPA's 28 mpg rating. For better performance and towing capacity, the 2.0-liter turbo engine was available, producing 252 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. This engine, with a 9-speed automatic transmission, offered lively acceleration and averaged 22.1 mpg, below the EPA's 24 mpg rating. Both versions had firm ride qualities, with the Premier's 19-inch wheels enhancing its athletic feel on winding roads.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by replacing the previous base engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, provided a responsive and fuel-efficient driving experience. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency. The CR-V achieved an EPA rating of 30 mpg combined for FWD models and 29 mpg for AWD models, placing it among the top in its class. A hybrid version was also introduced for 2020, offering even higher fuel economy.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered a comfortable interior with options for cloth or leather upholstery. The Premier trim featured heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The sliding rear seat maximized passenger or cargo space, with generous legroom in its rearmost position. Cargo volume measured 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. The cabin provided ample storage, including a large center console storage bin and various bins and cubbies throughout.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, with good head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The CR-V's seating position and visibility were excellent, enhancing the driving experience. The cargo compartment matched the class giant, the Volkswagen Tiguan, with a total of 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Clever storage solutions included a deep center console bin and a two-position load floor in the rear. The CR-V's door pockets were also spacious, making it easy to store and access items.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered several infotainment systems with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen displays. All systems included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Chevrolet Connected Access services. Upgrades included a high-definition display, cloud connectivity, improved voice recognition, HD Radio, satellite radio, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. The technology was intuitive and easy to use, with options for wireless smartphone charging and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, providing better navigation than Honda's system. The CR-V offered plenty of USB ports in the EX trim and above, with a wireless phone charger added to the Touring trim for 2020.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. A reversing camera, rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology were also standard. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Equinox earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a safe choice.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing system as standard, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. Automatic high beams were standard, with blind-spot monitoring available in EX trims and above. The CR-V earned five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim offering better headlights for improved nighttime visibility.