2021 Lexus RX vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic with its large grille, angular headlamps, shapely body, and floating roof. The interior featured sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, although the center console design was considered bland. Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, each catering to different preferences, from base models to performance-focused and extended body versions. The 2021 model retained the elongated headlights and refined front-end design introduced in 2020, which aimed to address previous criticisms. Standard exterior features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with available upgrades like 20-inch wheels and triple-beam LED headlights. The F Sport Appearance package added unique styling elements and performance dampers. Inside, the RX boasted a well-appointed cabin with standard features like NuLuxe-trimmed seats and power-adjustable front seats, while higher trims offered semi-aniline leather upholstery and heated seats. However, the center console's dated appearance and infotainment system setup were points of contention.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia changes. The headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, giving the Equinox a sleeker look. The grille appeared more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, making the Equinox look chunkier. Unlike rugged-styled competitors, the Equinox maintained a car-based crossover appearance with a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia. 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 the price. Most trim levels came with cloth seats, but perforated leather upholstery was available. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, giving it a bit more personality. However, the black interior was considered too subdued.

The 2021 Lexus RX, RXL, and RX F-Sport were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid and RXL Hybrid models combined a 3.5-liter V6 with three electric motors, producing 308 horsepower managed by an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The front-wheel-drive RX 350 achieved 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive versions and RXL models had slightly lower fuel economy. The RX Hybrid models managed 29-31 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The RX's suspension and handling adjustments made it more dynamic, with the F Sport Handling package adding adaptive variable suspension and other performance features. The RX was a comfortable cruiser, with the F-Sport model offering a bit more spirited driving. The RX's top speed was limited to 124 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.7-7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Equinox offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While the Equinox had more torque than most rivals, it had less horsepower. The engine provided good torque for city driving but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were a bit rough. The Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the fun-to-drive nature of some competitors. However, it was decently comfortable on poorly maintained pavement.

The 2021 Lexus RX was a highly functional SUV with seating for five in the two-row RX 350, RX F-Sport, and RX 450h models, and seating for six or seven in the three-row RXL and RXL Hybrid models. Front-seat occupants enjoyed plenty of space, and second-row seating was comfortable for adults. The third row in the RXL models was tight for anyone. The RX's cargo space was limited compared to traditional SUVs, with 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row versions offered just 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second row, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free liftgate available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox had seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom in both rows. Second-row legroom was good, but some competitors offered more legroom for front-seat occupants. The tall seating position provided an unobstructed forward view, although rear visibility was somewhat hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons and knobs were prominently placed below the touchscreen, making them easy to access. The Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, which was 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 Lexus RX came standard with dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD Radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, a moonroof, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, a 12-speaker audio system, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The touch aspect of the infotainment screen worked well, but the operating system was not the easiest to use. The Remote Touch controller allowed drivers to navigate the screen without touching it, but it took up valuable center console space. The RX did not have wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trim levels got 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 was responsive and easy to use, with large, smartphone-like menu icons. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage. The Equinox offered plenty of USB ports and power outlets, but the center-console slot for a phone was too small. The infotainment system covered the basics well, but tech-savvy buyers might want more features or a larger screen.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, scoring all Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The RXL and RXL Hybrid had not been tested by IIHS. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall, with five stars for side-impact crashworthiness. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, blind-spot monitoring, and Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. The RX had two complete sets of LATCH connectors in the rear outboard seats.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but got a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It received a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. 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.