2021 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover had evolved significantly from its utilitarian roots, transforming into a symbol of luxury and sophistication. Initially designed as a rugged vehicle, it had become a status symbol with a starting price of $92,000, which could soar to $250,000 with various upgrades. The test model, priced at $106,715, featured the HSE Westminster special-edition trim, offering a blend of standard and premium features. Despite its age, the Range Rover maintained a timeless design with hallmark features like blacked-out windshield pillars and clean styling. Inside, it exuded luxury with an Ivory-color interior and mid-century modern ambiance, although its infotainment system lagged behind newer models.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent subtle styling changes, including a new grille and LED lighting, giving it a slightly chunkier appearance. Unlike rugged competitors, the Equinox embraced its car-based crossover identity, offering a tall roofline and a puffed-up front fascia. The interior featured a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents, while materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior felt subdued. Overall, the Equinox aimed for a balance between style and practicality, appealing to buyers seeking a comfortable and functional crossover.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover offered a range of powertrain options, including a mild-hybrid turbocharged inline-six engine producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured a flawless eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, ensuring its legendary off-road capabilities. The adaptive air suspension provided a smooth ride, while the turbo-six engine delivered power seamlessly. However, the steering was relatively slow, and the vehicle's weight and tall center of gravity affected handling on winding roads. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 20 mpg combined, but the test vehicle averaged 18.5 mpg.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, on the other hand, offered a single powertrain option: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard front-wheel drive, with optional all-wheel drive. While the Equinox had more torque than some rivals, it lacked horsepower, making it less responsive at higher speeds. The engine felt coarse during highway overtaking, and the transmission's shifts were somewhat rough. Despite its RS trim, the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, but it provided decent comfort on various road surfaces.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured an air suspension with a kneel mode for easier entry and exit. The front seats were decadently comfortable, but the second row lacked thigh support and adjustability, resulting in an uncomfortable seating position. Storage space was limited, with dual glove compartments compensating for the small center-console bin. Luggage volume was also restricted, with a maximum cargo space of 59.8 cubic feet. A button in the cargo area activated the suspension kneel function for easier loading.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five with decent headroom in both rows. However, front seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, but rear visibility was hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons were prominently placed, and the cargo space measured 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded, near the bottom of the segment.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover featured a fully digital instrumentation and infotainment system with three displays. While the InControl Touch Pro Duo system was not entirely intuitive, it offered numerous features and functions. The dual 10-inch touchscreens were distracting while driving, and the head-up display was not visible with polarized sunglasses. The Range Rover also included a waterproof Activity Key wristband and an iGuide smartphone app for added convenience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trim levels featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The Chevy MyLink system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, and the Equinox offered multiple USB ports and power outlets.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional packages added features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. The HSE Westminster Edition included the Drive Pro and Park packages, but the adaptive cruise control was slow to respond.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system. Some competitors offered more standard features, but the Equinox provided a comprehensive safety package.