2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication that was hard to match. Its design was a testament to Land Rover's long-standing tradition of crafting elegant SUVs. The Velar's sleek, sporty silhouette, with its long wheelbase and short overhangs, was a nod to the classic Range Rover profile, yet it managed to present a more modern and dynamic appearance. The flush door handles and the subtle slope of the roof added to its streamlined look, while the R-Dynamic trim brought a touch of aggression with bronze accents and a darker grille. Inside, the Velar's cabin was a blend of high-quality materials and minimalist design, featuring a polished black center stack and three sharp screens that provided a sophisticated interface.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered a more restrained yet attractive design. While it didn't boast the futuristic flair of some competitors, its chunky front end and tasteful use of the gold Bowtie emblem gave it a distinct presence. The Equinox's profile, with its thick C-pillar and large windows, suggested a spacious interior, which it delivered. The Premier trim's two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats added a touch of luxury, although the interior design felt somewhat dated compared to rivals. Despite its simplicity, the Equinox's interior was practical and user-friendly, with a straightforward layout and ample storage options.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar shared its chassis with the Jaguar F-Pace, resulting in handling and steering characteristics that were a departure from traditional Land Rovers. Its lower center of gravity and lighter weight contributed to improved cornering and braking. The base engine was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 247 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. While it provided adequate acceleration, the Velar truly shone with its optional 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, available in two states of tune: 340 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque for the base S and R-Dynamic models, and 395 hp and 405 lb-ft for the R-Dynamic HSE. This powertrain, combined with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, offered the high performance expected from a luxury SUV.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, on the other hand, was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to deliver the same level of performance at higher speeds. The Equinox's six-speed automatic transmission, though somewhat outdated, provided a straightforward driving experience. The Equinox's suspension was well-tuned, offering a comfortable ride, and its steering was precise, making it enjoyable to drive in most situations. However, the Equinox's powertrain lacked the excitement and refinement found in the Velar.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's interior was more compact than midsize SUVs, offering slightly more space than compact SUVs. Its stylish design came at the cost of headroom and visibility, with thick B-pillars and small rear windows. Cargo space was limited, with 16 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 49 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Velar's design choices, such as the lack of a discrete parking brake control, were frustrating, but its Pivi Pro infotainment system improved the user experience with a cleaner interface and faster operation.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered a more spacious interior, with 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it didn't match the cargo capacity of some competitors, it provided ample passenger space, even for taller occupants. The Equinox's interior featured higher-quality plastic components and practical storage solutions, such as cup holders for every passenger and a power liftgate on the Premier trim. Despite its simplicity, the Equinox's interior was functional and user-friendly.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar's Pivi Pro infotainment system was a pleasant surprise, offering a simplified layout with fewer icons and more logical arrangements. It featured a voice assistant, a PM2.5 air filter, and a heated windshield, among other useful features. The system's 360-degree cameras and off-road mode provided additional functionality, while the standard LED headlights, 14-way power heated front seats, and 12-speaker Meridian stereo added to the Velar's luxury appeal.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology offering was more straightforward, with a small touchscreen interface that was easy to use. The system responded quickly and offered good voice recognition software, with customizable icons and hard buttons for easy access to features. All trim levels included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Premier trim added a wireless charging pad. Despite its simplicity, the Equinox's tech package was practical and user-friendly.

The 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Velar had not been rated by U.S. agencies, but it scored well in the European NCAP, achieving five stars and a 93-percent score for front and side impact tests. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition, with optional 360-degree cameras and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with a suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it did not perform as well in IIHS tests, scoring Poor in the moderate overlap front crash test and Marginal in the side-impact crash test.