2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as futuristic as some of its competitors, presented an attractive and restrained design. Its chunky front end gave the impression of a smaller grille, a refreshing change from the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, though a bit garish on certain colors, complemented others like Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with options for FWD or AWD. Its design language shared similarities with the larger Chevrolet Traverse, and its interior, especially in the Premier trim, featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and practical features like a heated steering wheel and seats. Despite its somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and plastic buttons, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and ample cupholders.

The 2024 Volvo XC90, particularly in the Recharge T8 Ultimate trim, exuded luxury with its subdued and earthy exterior paint palette and various wheel designs. The interior, though dated, was fitted with rich materials like wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, complemented by an Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim. Volvo offered a range of customization options for paint, wheels, and upholstery. The XC90's interior was equipped with features like massaging front seats, a premium headliner, and a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Despite its luxury, the XC90's design leaned towards practicality, safety, and sustainability, with a focus on comfort and a commanding driving position.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to accelerate above 30 mph, taking about eight seconds to reach highway speeds. The Equinox used a six-speed automatic transmission, which held gears longer than modern transmissions, contributing to its noisy powertrain. AWD was available across all trims, but it required manual engagement. The Equinox featured an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth braking, and its suspension handled bumps well, offering tight and accurate steering.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. It offered 32 miles of electric-only range and averaged 27 mpg in hybrid mode. The XC90 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds. Recharging was straightforward, with options for standard or 240-volt outlets. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, and Off-Road, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance. Despite its power, the XC90's handling was more luxury-oriented, with a firm ride and less thrilling handling, though it offered impressive grip from its Pirelli tires.

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. While not the largest in its class, it provided ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, plenty of storage options, and a nearly silent power liftgate.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in its base Core trim, was well-equipped with features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims offered additional luxuries like a heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats. The XC90 seated seven, with a comfortable second-row bench and adequate third-row space. Cargo capacity reached 65.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 85.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective infotainment system, with a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen depending on the trim. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a wireless charging pad in the Premier trim. The system was user-friendly, with quick response times and good voice recognition.

The 2024 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system used Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. It included Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio, with options for a Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The system was intuitive, with a digital voice assistant and a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, though some controls were not always intuitive.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with standard advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assistance. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2023. While its ADAS features were not groundbreaking, it included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. However, Pilot Assist had some limitations, particularly on curvy roads and exit ramps.