2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and giving it a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood's edge created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastic dominating the cabin. The all-black interior of the ST trim, despite some aluminum and white stitching accents, felt monotonous and lacked the luxury expected at this price point.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premier, on the other hand, benefitted from a clean design that avoided overt SUV styling cues. It looked especially good on 19-inch wheels that came with the turbocharged engine. The Premier trim included roof rails and extra chrome detailing, signaling its top-tier status. Inside, the Equinox Premier featured a high-contrast cabin with Jet Black and Brandy leather, a panoramic glass sunroof, and polished metallic interior accents. However, the presence of hard and shiny plastic detracted from the overall upscale feel. The Equinox's interior was more acceptable at lower price points, but less so when the price started with a "4."

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) chassis, which provided better weight distribution than the previous front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. The ST trim, tuned by Ford Performance, featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth, uninterrupted power and nimble handling, with a towing capacity of up to 5,600 pounds. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a gas-electric hybrid option with a net 318 hp. However, the hybrid's fuel economy did not justify its higher price. The Explorer's fuel economy varied, with the turbo V6 averaging 18 mpg in real-world driving.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine options. The standard 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produced 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided adequate performance but fell short of its EPA fuel economy rating in real-world driving. The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine delivered 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This engine offered lively acceleration and a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The Equinox's ride quality was firm and connected, with the Premier trim's 19-inch wheels providing a more athletic feel on winding roads. However, both versions suffered from more road and wind noise than desirable.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space and practicality. On a road trip to Maine, it provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof enhancing the second-row experience. The third row was more spacious than the previous model, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short journeys. However, the flat bench was not ideal for long-distance comfort. The Explorer offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second row, and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The new model's cargo area was one of the largest in its class. The Explorer also featured physical knobs and switches for climate and stereo controls, though the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras were drawbacks.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox provided a comfortable and practical interior. The LS trim featured cloth upholstery and a 10-way power driver's seat, while the Premier trim offered leather seats, an 8-way power front passenger seat, 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 the rearmost position. The Premier trim included rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Cargo volume measured 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Equinox also offered plenty of storage options, including a large center console storage bin and various bins, trays, and cubbies throughout the interior.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen with Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Factory navigation was standard on all models except the base XLT. Keyless entry, remote start, 3-zone climate control, and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The Premium Technology Package for ST and Platinum models included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The touchscreen was well-organized and high-resolution, but the instrument panel felt unfinished, with wasted screen space and limited customization options. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ semi-automated driving system was available but did not perform as well as competitors' systems.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered several infotainment systems with 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen displays. All systems included Bluetooth pairing for two devices, 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 Equinox's technology was intuitive and easy to use, with wireless smartphone charging and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system available as options.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, though the latter activated falsely during testing. A passenger front knee airbag was also standard. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Explorer as Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not yet tested it.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a safe following distance monitor, and automatic high-beam headlights. A reversing camera, rear-seat reminder system, and Teen Driver technology were also standard. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control, lane change warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Equinox earned top ratings from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, making it a very safe SUV.