2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its appearance with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The updated model featured a modern look with a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive “shark fin” C-pillar, making it more visually compatible with the Suburban and Silverado. Each trim level offered unique exterior styling elements, with the base Equinox LT available in chrome or a contemporary Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim, known for its sportier design, included black mirrors, badges, and red RS emblems, while the new ACTIV trim showcased dark chrome accents and all-terrain tires. The interior of the Equinox was also revamped, with a focus on texture and space, featuring a new infotainment screen and a relocated shifter to enhance the center console's openness. The RS and ACTIV trims offered distinct interior themes, with the ACTIV trim featuring a two-tone “Maple Sugar and Black” theme, and the RS trim incorporating red highlights and contrast stitching.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, particularly the 110 four-door model, struck a balance in design, offering a rugged yet customizable appearance. The Defender 130 X trim, tested in Gondwana Stone paint, included the Extended Black Exterior Pack and upgraded interior materials. Despite its visual mass, the Defender 130 maintained a rugged appeal, with options like the Towing Pack and Climate Pack enhancing its functionality. Inside, the Defender X featured premium Windsor hides and Kvadrat fabric, with options for Ebony or Caraway colors. The interior maintained an industrial theme, focusing on quality materials and a purposeful design. The Defender's cabin was appreciated for its practicality rather than luxury, with features like illuminated door-sill treadplates and metal pedal covers adding to its appeal.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox retained its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied between 184 lb-ft in front-wheel-drive (FWD) models and 203 lb-ft in all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions, due to different transmissions. FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed automatic was noted for its improved performance over the previous six-speed, offering quicker gear shifts and reduced noise. The Equinox's accelerator was responsive at low speeds, though highway merging highlighted the engine's limitations. The AWD Equinox could tow up to 1,500 pounds, with selectable drive modes available for different driving conditions.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, paired with a mild-hybrid system. The eight-speed automatic transmission, with Sport and manual shift modes, connected to a standard AWD system with a low-range setting for off-roading. The Defender 130 X could tow up to 8,200 pounds and accelerate to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. Despite its off-road prowess, the Defender 130 was primarily driven on pavement, where it handled well but was less suited for twisty roads. The Defender's six-cylinder engine provided ample power, though the brakes were occasionally challenging to modulate. The adaptive air suspension offered a comfortable ride, absorbing urban bumps and off-road terrain with ease.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard on the RS and ACTIV trims, with front seat ventilation available as part of a package. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with 38.2 inches in the front seats with the moonroof and 37.8 inches in the back. The moonroof extended into the rear seats, adding light for passengers. The Equinox's cargo space was slightly reduced, offering 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded down. A hidden storage compartment was available beneath the load floor.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 required some effort to enter and exit, but offered spacious seating across three rows. The front seats were 12-way power-adjustable with heating and ventilation, providing excellent forward visibility. The Defender's panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row created an open and airy feel. Storage space was plentiful in the front, though less accommodating further back. The Defender 130's third-row seat was heated and roomy, with a side-hinged cargo door providing access to 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 43.7 cubic feet with the third row folded.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox featured Google Built-In as standard, with wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration allowed for flexible infotainment use, though voice control volume was an issue in one test vehicle. The Equinox's tech features included an 11.3-inch touchscreen, wi-fi hotspot capability, and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard on RS and ACTIV trims.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender was equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, accessible via an 11.4-inch touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and connected services. Pivi Pro's response to voice commands was slower than preferred, but its accuracy was impressive. The user experience was more intuitive, with easy programming of favorite radio stations. The Defender's Meridian premium sound system, head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system enhanced its technology offerings.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package, adding features like rear pedestrian alert and HD surround vision. The Chevy Safety Assist suite included standard features such as rear park assist, lane-change alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to program speed and volume limitations and receive a report card on driving behavior.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender included driver aids like automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. A Driver Assistance Mode menu allowed customization of assistance levels. The lane-keep assist was decisive, though it occasionally attempted to steer the Defender into a turnout area. Crash-test ratings were unavailable at press time.