2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Volvo XC90 represented a significant evolution from the brand's earlier boxy designs, maintaining its family-friendly and safety-oriented image while stepping into the luxury class. After Volvo's acquisition by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company developed new platforms, leading to the current XC90, which launched as a 2016 model. This flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, boasted a sleek and athletic profile with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches. The interior was a testament to Scandinavian Modern and Swedish Luxury, featuring natural wood and metal trim, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery. The XC90's design and materials conveyed a sense of quality and luxury, with thoughtful details like the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights nodding to its Swedish heritage.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle changes to the rear fascia, giving it a chunkier appearance. The Equinox maintained its car-based crossover identity, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Its dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and the materials and fit were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior was subdued. While the Equinox offered a tall seating position and decent headroom, it lacked some distinctive styling features and interior space compared to rivals.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered a choice of three powertrains. The T5 model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The T6 model upgraded to a supercharged and turbocharged version of the engine, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, exclusively in AWD. The T8 model combined a supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, achieving a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque, with AWD. The T8's electric motor drove the rear wheels, providing spirited acceleration and a smooth driving experience. The XC90's fuel efficiency varied, with the T5 FWD achieving 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, while the T8 offered 27 mpg combined on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, however, simplified its powertrain options to a single 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or AWD. While the Equinox had more torque than some rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine performed well in city driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox lacked sporty handling and refinement compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row via a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults found it lacking in legroom and thigh support. The XC90 provided 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both rows down. It could tow between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample storage and a standard panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well, even in high temperatures and humidity.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox seated five across two rows, offering decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, but rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. The climate control buttons were awkwardly placed but easily accessible. Cargo space was limited, with 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen, offering tablet-like functionality with familiar gestures. However, the system was occasionally glitchy and slow, performing better with Apple CarPlay. The XC90 included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, with an optional Advanced package adding a head-up display and 360-degree camera system. The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound could be upgraded to a Bowers & Wilkins system. The XC90 offered multiple USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app for remote vehicle controls.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The MyLink infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The Equinox provided multiple USB ports and power outlets, but the center-console slot for phones was too small. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more features, the Equinox's infotainment system covered the basics effectively.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's legacy of safety, offering features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for highway driving. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests but was rated "Marginal" in the updated side crash test. It earned "Superior" and "Advanced" ratings for front-crash prevention and an "Acceptable" score for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard driver-assist features included automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and Chevy’s Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.