2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, was a striking vehicle that eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. The interior, however, showcased Lexus's legendary craftsmanship with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet cabin, save for the faint roar of the V8 engine. The GX 460 was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented a more contemporary and attractive crossover design. While it lacked the space-age flair of some competitors, its restrained bodywork and chunky front end offered a refreshing change from the aggressive fascias dominating the market. The Equinox came in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, all available with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite some dated interior elements, the Equinox was practical, approachable, and easy to use, with a well-sorted suspension and tight, accurate steering.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine, produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. However, its 5,126-pound curb weight and high drag coefficient of 0.35 resulted in a modest 16 mpg in combined driving. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped maximize wheel articulation off-road while maintaining stability on pavement. Despite its slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal, the GX remained surprisingly agreeable to drive, especially with the optional Off-Road Package available on the Luxury trim.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivered 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to accelerate above 30 mph, making highway merging and passing challenging. The Equinox's six-speed automatic transmission, though outdated, provided smooth shifts. The AWD system required manual engagement but retained the setting upon restart. The new electronically assisted brake-by-wire system offered predictable braking, and the well-engineered suspension handled bumps and potholes effectively. Overall, the Equinox's tight and accurate steering made it enjoyable to drive in most situations.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various environments. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. However, the rear seat access was tricky, and the third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space. The GX's side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading, with only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded down. While it fell short of some competitors, it provided ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, plenty of storage options, and a nearly silent power liftgate in the Premier trim.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system was easy to use, with excellent voice recognition and a dual-screen view. However, the placement of stereo controls below the off-roading controls was counterintuitive. The GX also offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system and standard Intuitive Parking Assist technology, with optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology was straightforward, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the LS, LT, and RS trims, and an 8-inch screen in the Premier. Despite its simplicity, the system was crisp, clear, and easy to use, with good voice recognition and customizable icons. All trims featured wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad and an upgraded driver-information display.

The 2022 Lexus GX, lacking modern crash-test ratings, relied on its standard Lexus Safety System+ for safety. This included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced driving aids found in competitors.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with a suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure assistance, and automatic high beams. While it lacked level two autonomous driving technology, it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, it scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact crash test.