2020 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Ford Explorer

Does anyone remember the first-generation Chevrolet Equinox Sport? It represented the one time Chevy tried to make its compact crossover SUV something more than a bread-and-butter commuter vessel, and it lasted all of 2 years.

A decade later, the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox remains a basic tool of its trade, serving drivers who want more foul-weather capability, more cargo space, and a higher driving position than a Malibu midsize sedan can provide, but not much in the way of excitement. That the Malibu is currently cruising toward its sunset while the Equinox is one of the best-selling vehicles in America underscores the dramatic change in automotive consumer preferences that has taken place during the past 10 years.

Built in Mexico, the Chevy Equinox comes in L, LS, LT, and Premier trim levels. For 2020, a new Midnight Edition appearance package debuts for LT trim, and three new colors are available. A light refresh is planned for the 2022 model year when Chevy will tighten up the styling, expand safety equipment availability, and once again try to make the Equinox sporty, this time with a new RS trim level.

There was a time when everybody in America seemingly drove an Explorer. That may be an exaggeration, but not by much. In its first four years of production, Ford sold over a million examples. In 1998, Ford was selling its second-generation Explorer at a rate of nearly 440,000 per year. Whether your family purchased an Explorer or not, this was the nameplate that invented the midsize SUV segment.

Fast forward to the 2021 model year and the Explorer is in its sixth generation. It's now a three-row SUV that clocks in at a maximum of 4,700 pounds, with a price tag north of $50,000 for the Explorer Platinum trim level. Long gone are the days when it was the only game in town. Almost every automaker has a competitor. So how does the Explorer shake out for 2021?