2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a more upright grille, new LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights. Subtle revisions were made to the rear fascia, and the headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, adding a sleek touch. The grille was flanked by large, fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier appearance compared to its predecessor. Unlike rugged-styled competitors such as the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, the Equinox maintained a more crossover-like look, though with a taller roofline and a puffed-up front fascia that made it appear less car-like than the Ford Escape. However, the Equinox lacked more distinctive styling features seen in vehicles like the Hyundai Tucson.

Inside, the dashboard's design was creative and cohesive, with a touchscreen and two large air vents at the center. The materials and fit and finish were commendable given the price point. Cloth seats were standard across most trim levels, but perforated leather upholstery was available. The new RS model introduced black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior accented with red stitching, similar to the RS versions of the Blazer and Traverse SUVs. However, the black interior of the RS model was too subdued for some tastes.

The 2022 Ford Explorer came in eight different models ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, not including the $1,495 destination charge. The Explorer lineup expanded with the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims. For 2022, the Explorer ST-Line introduced a sporty look to the popular XLT version.

The Explorer King Ranch variant, our test vehicle, featured an extra-cost Rapid Red paint, a Premium Technology package, and a twin-panel sunroof, bringing its MSRP to $59,880, including the destination charge. Visually, the King Ranch was differentiated by emblems on the doors and liftgate, shiny 20-inch 10-spoke wheels, and quad exhaust outlets. However, these distinguishing features were subtle, making it look similar to other trims unless closely inspected.

The rear-drive platform allowed designers to craft a long and tall hood, a short front overhang, a rakish roofline, and a tapering greenhouse, resulting in a taut, athletic appearance. Blacked-out roof pillars added a "floating roof" effect, a popular visual feature from the previous-generation Explorer.

Inside, the King Ranch offered exclusive Del Rio leather seating with lasso-perforated inserts, and branded seats and center armrest pad. The chocolate brown over caramel interior was unique, but the Platinum trim was a better choice for those seeking alternative color combinations. However, the cabin exhibited a mix of high-quality and questionable materials for its price point.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a single engine option, a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. Buyers had the choice of standard front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The Equinox boasted more torque than many rivals but fell short in horsepower compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V, which offered 190 hp, and the Nissan Rogue, which provided 201 hp.

The Equinox excelled in stop-and-go driving, as peak torque was available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, facilitating quick acceleration from stops. However, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds, struggling with highway overtaking. The six-speed automatic transmission's shifts were occasionally rough, and despite the RS model's sporty appearance, the Equinox was not designed for sporty handling. The Mazda CX-5 offered a more engaging drive, and the Equinox lacked the solidity and refinement of the Honda CR-V, although it remained comfortable on poorly maintained roads.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, available in Base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims, generated 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, pairing with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It featured RWD and available 4WD, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and combined fuel efficiency of 24 mpg.

A hybrid drivetrain was available for the Limited trim and could reduce the price of the Platinum by $1,400. This hybrid system, based on a 3.3-liter V6 engine, produced a combined 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, towed up to 5,000 lbs, and offered up to 27 mpg in combined driving, also pairing with a 10-speed automatic and the choice of RWD or 4WD.

For those prioritizing power and towing capacity, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine provided 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. This engine, standard in ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 5,600 lbs and combined fuel efficiency of 21 mpg. The King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg on the testing loop. While lower in fuel efficiency, the V6 provided ample power, satisfying acceleration, and a pleasing exhaust note.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five across two rows, offering ample headroom and decent second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was slightly less than some competitors, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel, even with an optional power driver's seat, compromised driver comfort. The Equinox featured a tall seating position with good forward visibility, though rear visibility was somewhat hampered by the small rear window and rear pillars.

Interior controls were clustered below the touchscreen, providing easy access without delving into touchscreen menus. While the arrangement looked awkward, it facilitated straightforward temperature adjustments. The Equinox's cargo capacity, at 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded, was below the segment average. Features like a power liftgate were available, but the Equinox lacked innovations like a sliding second-row seat or additional cargo storage solutions found in competitors.

The 2022 Ford Explorer was designed for families, offering comfort across three rows of seats. The best seating arrangement included a second-row bench seat for occasional five-person capacity, though the third-row seat was only practical for children due to the rear-drive platform's low roofline and tapered tail. The King Ranch model featured an array of luxury features, including triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. Massaging front seats were standard, providing exceptional comfort for long-distance driving. However, third-row access was challenging, and the seat was uncomfortable for adults.

The Explorer’s practical storage space within the cabin was limited. The stingy center console storage could not be offset by additional storage solutions. Although there were some handy features like a wireless charging pad and built-in rear seat cupholders, the Explorer lacked practical pockets, shelves, cubbies, and hooks.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Explorer offered 18.2 cubic feet of space behind the third-row seat, 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows flat. The hands-free power liftgate was convenient, enhancing the overall practicality of the SUV.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. A 3.5-inch display screen was positioned between the instrument cluster's analog gauges. Higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen, with options for navigation and a Bose 7-speaker audio system.

The 8-inch touchscreen in the test unit was responsive and user-friendly, with large, smartphone-like menu icons and good screen graphics for its price range. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant enhancement for 2022, though the center-console slot for phone storage was impractically small. Despite offering a solid range of features, some buyers might desire a larger screen or additional functionalities.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system: an 8-inch horizontally mounted touchscreen and a 10.1-inch portrait-style touchscreen. The larger screen, while functional, appeared tacked onto the dashboard, detracting from the interior design.

Our King Ranch test vehicle included the full suite of Sync 3 technologies, such as FordPass Connect with remote engine starting, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa functionality, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation. It was also equipped with wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, and a high-quality 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system.

Current-generation Sync 4 technology was noticeably absent in the 2022 Explorer, with significant differences in voice recognition capabilities. The older Sync 3 system struggled with voice commands, complicating tasks like finding specific destinations or issuing music requests. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0, capable of autonomous parking. A dual rear-seat entertainment system was available as well.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox earned commendable safety ratings. The IIHS awarded it top "Good" scores in most crash tests but rated it "Marginal" in the updated side crash test. It received a "Superior" rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front-crash prevention and an “Advanced” rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The Equinox was also rated "Acceptable" 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 tests. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, a Safety Alert Seat, and the 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. Features like adaptive cruise control, standard on some competitors, were optional on the Equinox.

The 2022 Ford Explorer achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, applicable across all trim levels. However, the NHTSA did not publish complete crash-test ratings for the 2022 model, though it earned five-star ratings for most previous tests except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance.

The Explorer was equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of driver-assist and collision-avoidance features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Automatic high-beam headlights were also standard. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist.

Additional safety features included a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable vehicle functions. The Explorer's driver-assist systems generally operated smoothly and accurately, though it occasionally detected false positive warnings when hands were placed on the steering wheel. The system's handling of merging and bending roadways was effective, with minimal confusion.