2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Lexus RX

The 2023 Lexus RX presented a refined and modern exterior, with a shorter height, broader width, and longer wheelbase compared to its predecessor, while maintaining the same overall length. The design changes, including a reduced rear overhang and softer lines, gave it a smaller appearance, enhanced by the floating roof effect created by the down-sloping black trim on the rear pillar. The front featured a well-integrated spindle-style grille with a modern mesh texture, flowing into an elevated hood and upswept body sides reminiscent of the Lexus IS sedan. The rear showcased a light-blade taillight design, block lettering, and a sporty bumper. The RX's styling was familiar yet fresh, distinguishing it from the previous generation and the smaller Lexus NX.

Inside, the RX offered a modern interior with fewer buttons, digital instrumentation, and a choice of a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen display. The Intelligent Assistant technology, complimentary for three years, enhanced usability, though a subscription was required afterward. Quality materials, such as NuLuxe artificial leather and available genuine leather, along with textured black plastic, real wood, and aluminum trims, elevated the interior. The RX 350 was available in various trims, including Standard, Premium, Premium+, Luxury, and F Sport Handling, with pricing expected to remain close to the previous model's base price of just over $47,000.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as visually striking as some competitors, offered an attractive and restrained design. Its chunky front end made the grille appear smaller, providing a refreshing change from the aggressive fascias common in the industry. The Equinox was available in new paint colors, including Radiant Red Tintcoat, Blue Glow Metallic, Harvest Brown Metallic, and Sterling Gray Metallic. The Equinox's profile, with a thick C-pillar and large windows, suggested spaciousness, and the interior did not disappoint.

The Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite a somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, the Equinox was practical and easy to use. The six-speed automatic transmission, while older, provided a simple and gratifying driving experience. The Confidence and Convenience II package added valuable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and adaptive cruise control, enhancing the overall experience.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine offered better torque and fuel economy than the previous V6, though it lacked the same smoothness. The RX 350 Luxury trim displayed occasional torque steer and excess body motion, while the F Sport Handling trim, with its adaptive suspension, provided a more secure and comfortable ride. The RX 350 AWD accelerated to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, with fuel economy expectations of 24 mpg combined, though real-world results were slightly lower.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for city driving, the Equinox struggled with acceleration at higher speeds. The six-speed automatic transmission, with fewer gears, contributed to the engine's noise. The Equinox offered AWD, which required manual engagement. The new brake-by-wire system improved braking performance, and the well-sorted suspension provided a comfortable ride. The Equinox handled well for a compact crossover, with tight and accurate steering.

The 2023 Lexus RX 350 offered comfortable seating, with the F Sport Handling package providing sport seat bolsters for added support. The RX 350 Luxury trim featured premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat was roomy, with good leg support, though headroom was tight for taller passengers. The RX provided useful storage areas, with cargo space measuring 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. Passenger space was ample, with good head- and legroom. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with plenty of storage options, including cup holders and a center console bin. The Premier trim's power liftgate operated quietly, adding convenience.

The 2023 Lexus RX featured the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a choice of 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen displays. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and various connected services. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, though it occasionally provided inaccurate results. User profiles and streaming services were available, though the system lacked the ability to display multiple data panels simultaneously. The Mark Levinson premium sound system required tone adjustments for optimal performance. Additional features included digital instrumentation, a digital rearview mirror, and a color head-up display.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology was simple yet effective. The 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen was easy to use, with good voice recognition and customizable icons. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across all trims. The upgraded driver-information display offered useful features, though it appeared basic.

The 2023 Lexus RX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems. New features included motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Semi-autonomous technologies like Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available. However, some features, like curve-speed reduction, were not intuitive, and the HUD was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-keeping assistance. While it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, it scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests, highlighting areas for improvement.