2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Toyota RAV4

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox maintained an attractive but restrained design, unlike the more eye-catching Kia Sportage, rugged Toyota RAV4, or the refined Honda CR-V. It sported a chunky front end making the grille appear smaller, a refreshing change in a market dominated by aggressive front fascias. The gold Bowtie emblem had mixed visual appeal, looking garish on the Radiant Red Tintcoat but complementing colors like Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. Sterling Gray Metallic was another paint option for 2023. The Equinox came in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, all available in FWD or AWD. The Equinox's profile showcased big windows and a thick C-pillar, creating a spacious impression despite its 65.4-inch height. Inside, the Premier trim had two-tone leather upholstery with standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, both available on RS and LT trims but not on LS. Although the interior design felt dated with its small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, it was practical and user-friendly. The traditional PRNDL shift lever was appreciated for its simplicity, complemented by spacious cupholders. The $1,745 Confidence and Convenience II package in the Premier test car added features like lumbar adjustments for the front passenger, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an HD surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control, making the Equinox a practical choice despite its modest design. In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 stuck to its 2019 design with a more rugged and aggressive look, particularly in the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims. The Adventure trim, tested here, featured a styled grille with a centrally placed Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, a faux skid plate, and distinct black cladding around the wheel arches, making it more of a visual statement rather than a hardcore off-roader. Inside, the Adventure trim added orange interior accents, with seats featuring a stripe and contrast stitching alongside an upgraded center console. A frameless rearview mirror added a premium touch to the basic interior, though those seeking a more refined feel might prefer the Toyota Venza. Seating materials ranged from fabric in the LE and XLE trims to synthetic leather (SofTex) in the XLE Premium and above. Higher trims included heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats with memory settings, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel as options.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. Despite the additional five horsepower from the previous model year, it lacked vigor, especially at higher speeds. The vehicle could accelerate to highway speeds in about eight seconds, but it was accompanied by substantial noise. Its six-speed automatic transmission felt outdated compared to competitors' eight- or nine-speed options, leading to prolonged gear holds and contributing to the engine's racket. AWD was available across all trims, but it required manual activation, a nuance that some drivers might find inconvenient. Nonetheless, the braking system, upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire, delivered smooth and predictable performance. The vehicle's suspension handled bumps effectively, and the steering was tight and accurate, making the Equinox a competent handler in most driving conditions. The 2023 Toyota RAV4, meanwhile, offered a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided reliable, if not thrilling, acceleration. It was preferred over the CVTs found in some competitors but still made notable noise when pushed hard. The RAV4 Adventure trim came with AWD by default, featuring 19-inch wheels with all-season tires and the same suspension setup as other RAV4 trims. The TRD Off-Road trim, however, boasted 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and TRD-tuned suspension components, including unique shocks and jounce bumpers, setting it apart in terms of off-road capability.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox had a cargo area measuring 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. Although not the largest in its class, it surpassed the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester but fell short of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Kia Sportage, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom even for taller occupants. Interior materials included higher-quality plastics compared to older GM models, with practical storage solutions such as extensive cup holders, a sizable center console bin, and functional door pockets. The Premier trim's standard power liftgate operated nearly silently, adding a touch of convenience. In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the seats down. It provided more headroom in the rear and front-row legroom comparable to the CR-V but less back-seat space than both the CR-V and Forester. The narrow back seat might be a deciding factor based on passenger needs. Storage amenities included a front passenger shelf, generous door pockets, and side-by-side front-row cupholders, complemented by a straightforward gear shifter that suited its rugged image.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox’s technology offering was straightforward. The LS, LT, and RS trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Premier trim had an 8-inch screen. Although not as visually striking as systems from Kia or Jeep, the Equinox’s infotainment system was clear, responsive, and user-friendly, outperforming rivals like Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a basic but functional upgraded driver-information display in higher trims. The Premier trim added a wireless charging pad, enhancing convenience. Conversely, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 featured a newly updated infotainment system. Standard trims had an 8.0-inch touchscreen, while Limited and TRD Off-Road trims received a 10.5-inch screen with OTA updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Adventure trim's optional upgraded multimedia system included a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. Standard driver-information displays measured 7 inches, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim and optional on the TRD Off-Road. These tech upgrades addressed previous concerns and brought the RAV4 up to modern standards.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox boasted a standard suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection and braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane departure assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked advanced level two autonomous driving technology. Safety ratings were mixed; the NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, but the IIHS gave it a Poor rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and a Marginal score in the side-impact crash test.