2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from its predecessor, the original Ioniq. It featured a minimalist yet intricate exterior design, characterized by the Parametric Pixel theme, which incorporated numerous LED lights and pixelated elements. The interior, contrasting the exterior's complexity, offered a serene and spacious environment with sustainable materials and a "Living Space" design theme, including a unique "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received subtle styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and a sleeker rear fascia. The Equinox maintained a car-based crossover look, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range. The new RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior remained subdued.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range featured a 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 horsepower and 220 miles of range. The extended-range variants, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD versions had a dual-motor system with a total output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well, with four drive modes, including Sport mode, and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative properties.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Equinox had more torque than most rivals but less horsepower. It performed well in city driving, but the engine felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were a bit rough, and the Equinox lacked sporty handling and the refinement of some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a longer wheelbase and maximizing interior space. It had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with a passenger volume of 106.5 cu-ft. The Ioniq 5 featured a moveable center console, comfortable leatherette seats, and a modern take on the retro front bench seat, providing ample space and comfort for passengers.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was somewhat lacking, and the small rear window hampered rear visibility. The Equinox had 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It lacked some of the innovative storage solutions found in competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing it to charge other devices and vehicles. It supported 800-volt charging infrastructures and could reach 80% battery capacity in 18 minutes. The Ioniq 5 also offered a redesigned Blue Link app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The Equinox also offered multiple USB ports and power outlets, but the center-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. It also featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 had a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, but crash-safety ratings were not yet available.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but 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 driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.