2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that consistently appealed to families due to its practical design and functionality. Its sliding side doors were a significant advantage, making it easier to load children into car seats, especially in tight parking spaces. The Odyssey also offered a comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool groups without hassle. Its cargo space was impressive, rivaling that of larger SUVs when the seats were folded down or removed. Despite the minivan stigma, the Odyssey managed to maintain a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and sleek design, particularly in the Elite trim with its 19-inch aluminum wheels.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was an attractive crossover with a restrained design, featuring a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. It offered a variety of paint colors, including the new Sterling Gray Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trim levels, each with the option of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Inside, the Equinox provided ample passenger space, with comfortable seating and a practical layout. However, its interior design felt somewhat dated compared to competitors, with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display. Despite this, the Equinox was practical and easy to use, with features like a PRNDL shift lever and a well-sorted suspension for a comfortable ride.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It was a front-wheel-drive vehicle, lacking the all-wheel-drive or hybrid options available in some competitors. The Odyssey had an EPA fuel economy estimate of 22 mpg in combined driving. While it wasn't designed for sporty driving, the Odyssey was enjoyable to drive, with responsive handling and quick acceleration. However, its brakes tended to heat up and vibrate during extended downhill driving, which was a concern when carrying a full load of passengers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It was equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission, which held gears longer than more modern transmissions. The Equinox's acceleration was adequate for city driving but lacked power at higher speeds. It offered all-wheel drive as an option, but it required manual engagement. The Equinox's braking system was upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth and predictable braking. Its suspension handled bumps well, and the steering was tight and accurate, making it enjoyable to drive in most situations.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Odyssey Elite featured quality leather seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. It had ample storage space, including a center console tray and various compartments. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible seating arrangements, and the third-row seat was comfortable for adults. The Odyssey provided 32.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 144.9 cubic feet with the second row removed.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox had a cargo area of 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While it didn't match the cargo space of some competitors, it offered ample passenger space with good headroom and legroom. The interior featured higher-quality plastic materials, with plenty of storage options like cup holders and door pockets. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate, adding convenience to the Equinox's functionality.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Elite was equipped with a range of technology features, though its infotainment system was becoming outdated. It included an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered navigation, CabinWatch, and CabinTalk systems. The rear-seat entertainment system had a single 10.2-inch display, but it was considered behind the times. The Elite trim added an 11-speaker audio system and a wireless charging pad, but the overall infotainment experience was underwhelming.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective technology package. It had a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and an 8-inch screen in the Premier trim. The system was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. The Equinox offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, and the driver-information display provided useful features despite its simplicity.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came with Honda Sensing as standard, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, sometimes issuing false warnings or responding abruptly. The Odyssey received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. However, it lacked level two autonomous driving technology. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests, with a Poor rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and a Marginal score in the side-impact crash test.