2023 Genesis GV80 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, which contributed to a sleeker appearance. The grille was more upright and flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look compared to its predecessor. While it maintained a car-based crossover design, it didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and materials were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior felt too subdued.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, presenting a stately presence at over 16 feet long. The Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant look. The interior continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats, complemented by metal and matte wood trim. The center console housed three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, while the two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, though slightly awkwardly placed, was part of a spacious and luxurious interior.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While it had more torque than most rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The Equinox excelled in city driving with its torque, but at higher speeds, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the vehicle lacked sporty handling.

In contrast, the 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and a turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly quick, the GV80 excelled in highway driving with smooth power delivery and shifts. Its electronically controlled suspension and active noise cancellation made for a comfortable and quiet ride, although it wasn't as nimble as some competitors.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered a tall seating position and good forward visibility, but rear visibility was hampered by small rear windows. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 boasted luxury features like heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and the Ergo Motion driver's seat. While a third row was available, it offered limited legroom. The GV80 featured a tri-zone climate control system, a 21-speaker stereo system, and a panoramic glass roof. It provided ample cargo space, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. Towing capacity was a robust 6,000 pounds.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. However, the center-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial for navigation was cumbersome. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, but not wirelessly. The GV80 included remote smart parking assist, allowing the car to park itself without the driver inside.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests but had a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with advanced driver's aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It featured a video feed of the car's blind spot in the digital gauge cluster and Highway Drive Assist for hands-on/eyes-up driving. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating, and the IIHS rated it "Good" for crashworthiness and "Superior" for front crash prevention.