2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti design elements. Its body shell, roofline profile, and rear window curve were reminiscent of the Armada, while the front fenders featured similar vents. Unlike many modern SUVs that adopted unibody construction for added rigidity, the QX80 retained a body-on-frame construction, sharing this trait with the Armada. The front end, however, was distinctly Infiniti, with a grille and headlight design introduced in 2018, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base model and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its luxurious appeal. Inside, the QX80's interior closely mirrored the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and leather upholstery enhancing its luxury feel, though some elements like the dashboard and switchgear were clearly Nissan-derived.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received a styling refresh with a new grille, LED headlights, and daytime running lights, along with subtle changes to the rear fascia. The grille became more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier appearance. Unlike rugged-looking competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, the Equinox maintained a car-based crossover look, though its tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia made it less car-like than the Ford Escape. The dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the center, and materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the subdued interior might not appeal to everyone.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with a 4WD option available for an additional $3,100. The V8 engine provided responsive performance, making highway overtaking stress-free, though the transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80's body-on-frame construction, combined with front and rear independent suspension and a rear auto-leveling feature, ensured a comfortable ride. The Sensory model included Hydraulic Body Motion Control to limit body roll during cornering. Despite its size, the QX80 offered a quiet interior and a comfortable ride, though it felt less composed in corners. The 4WD drivetrain with low range and a forward skid plate enhanced its off-road capability, and it had a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with an optional all-wheel drive. The Equinox's torque was beneficial in stop-and-go driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. However, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds, and the automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough. The Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the solidity and refinement of some competitors, though it was comfortable on poorly maintained roads.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a three-row seating configuration, with standard seven seats and an optional eight-seat configuration. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver's seat and an eight-way front passenger's seat, both with two-way lumbar support. The interior provided competitive passenger space, though not class-leading, with ample room even in the third row. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third and second rows folded. The center console could open from both the front and back, though storage space was limited, and the front-door cupholders were not well-shaped for holding drinks.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox had seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The Equinox offered a tall seating position with good forward visibility, though rear visibility was somewhat hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons and knobs were conveniently placed below the touchscreen, avoiding the need to dig into touchscreen menus. Cargo space was 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, near the bottom of the segment. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins found in some competitors.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system available as options. The touchscreens were backed by analog controls, though the user interface was not intuitive, and the screens were small and difficult to reach. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features for driving the large SUV.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trim levels received an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. Navigation and a Bose 7-speaker audio system were available. The 8-inch touchscreen in the test car was responsive and easy to use, with large, smartphone-like menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, and the Equinox offered plenty of USB ports and power outlets, though the center-console slot for a phone was too small.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, but a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It received the highest "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The Equinox also received an "Acceptable" score for LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The NHTSA gave the Equinox a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in rollover crash tests. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, a Safety Alert Seat, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change alert, and a surround-view camera system.