2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2023 Land Rover Defender

The 2023 Land Rover Defender was a standout in the SUV market, outselling its sibling, the Land Rover Discovery, by a significant margin. Its boxy design, reminiscent of the old LR4, appealed to customers who favored a classic truck aesthetic over the Discovery's more Ford-like appearance. The Defender's design was characterized by its square-jawed face, rectangular hood and doors, and sharply cut tail, all of which contributed to its rugged, industrial look. Tasteful nods to the original 1980s Defender, such as the dome and faux-metal step plates on the hood, added to its charm. The Defender was available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—offering a range of options for buyers. Despite its high price, the Defender's interior focused on function and durability, with materials designed to resist moisture and stains, maintaining its hardcore character.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV presented a more modern and sleek design, while still retaining some similarities to its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart. The Equinox EV featured more decisive lines, a thicker body-colored C-pillar, and a sleeker grille. Its LED light bar and hexagonal rear design added to its contemporary appeal. The Equinox EV offered vibrant color options like "Red Hot" and "Riptide Blue Metallic," along with two-tone paint jobs, giving it a youthful and exuberant look. Inside, the Equinox EV provided a range of interior color options, with sporty choices available for higher trims. The vehicle's design was both sophisticated and playful, appealing to a wide range of consumers.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender excelled in off-road performance, showcasing its incredible grip, wheel articulation, and clearance. Its Terrain Response 2 system adapted the powertrain and chassis to various surfaces, while the permanent four-wheel drive provided confidence in challenging conditions. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with noticeable body roll, slow steering, and wind noise. The Defender offered a range of engines, including a turbocharged inline-six and a supercharged V8. The V8 delivered 518 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque, providing impressive acceleration, while the six-cylinder engine offered 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The fuel economy varied, with the four-cylinder engine rated at 17/20/18 mpg, the six-cylinder at 18/23/20 mpg, and the V8 at 14/19/16 mpg.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV provided a more conventional driving experience, with a hands-free start feature and one-pedal driving available across all trims. The vehicle offered a comfortable ride on 19-inch wheels, with a single-motor, front-wheel-drive variant producing 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The all-wheel-drive version featured a dual-motor powertrain. The Equinox EV boasted an impressive range, with 319 miles for front-wheel-drive models and 285 miles for all-wheel-drive models. The vehicle's 85-kilowatt-hour battery contributed to its competitive range, surpassing some of its rivals. The Equinox EV was also capable of DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, adding up to 34 miles of range per hour on an 11.5 kW charger.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender offered a variety of body styles, including the two-door 90, the four-door 110, and the extended-length four-door 130. The Defender 90 could seat six with an optional jump seat, while the 110 offered an optional third row, and the 130 came with a standard third row for up to eight seats. The vehicle provided ample cargo space, with the 130 offering 77 cubic feet of space with the third and second rows folded. The Defender also featured large windows and optional panoramic moonroofs, enhancing visibility and interior ambiance. Buyers could equip their Defenders with various off-road accessories, such as roof racks, snorkels, and skid plates, making it a versatile choice for adventure enthusiasts.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, on the other hand, offered a more modern and tech-focused interior. The base model came with heated front seats, a steering wheel, and outside mirrors, while higher trims added features like front-seat ventilation and heated rear seats. The Equinox EV provided ample headroom and legroom, with 39.15 inches of front headroom and 38.49 inches in the second row. The vehicle's cargo space was slightly less than some competitors, with 26.4 cubic feet with all seats in place and 57.2 cubic feet with the second row folded down. However, roof rails were standard on all but the base trim, providing additional storage options. The Equinox EV's interior was comfortable and well-equipped, with premium features typically found in luxury brands.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender featured two touchscreen infotainment systems running the Pivi Pro software, which was known for its reliability. The standard 10-inch screen was well-integrated into the dashboard, while an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen offered a larger display. The system was user-friendly and responsive, with the larger screen providing more functionality. The Defender S trim included heated 12-way power seats with leather and a Meridian stereo, while the SE trims added features like fog lights, surround sound, and cooled front seats. The X-Dynamic SE offered additional exterior and interior enhancements, as well as advanced features like adaptive cruise control and a head-up display.

In comparison, the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV emphasized technology with its driver-focused cockpit. The base 1LT trim came with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, the largest in its segment, and an 11-inch screen for gauges and driver information. Google Built-In was standard, providing access to Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. The MyChevrolet app offered navigation, route planning, and battery pre-conditioning. The Equinox EV's technology suite was comprehensive, offering a modern and connected driving experience.

The 2023 Land Rover Defender received a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests, praised for its solid structure. It came equipped with six airbags, although it lacked front knee airbags and rear side thorax airbags. The vehicle offered an optional digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera system. However, a self-steering highway assist was not available.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, which included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, forward collision alert, and automatic high beams. The vehicle also featured standard rear park assist, reverse park assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system, which allowed parents to set speed alerts and monitor driving behavior. Super Cruise, a hands-free highway-driving assist system, was available, providing an advanced level of safety and convenience.