2026 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2025 Subaru Outback

One of the nameplates that helped define the crossover craze now stands out as strikingly different. The 2025 Subaru Outback is one of the last remaining station wagons on the market. However, given that it's currently based on the soon-to-be-discontinued Subaru Legacy sedan, the Outback is likely to shift away from its current low-slung long-roof shape soon. That means this could be your last opportunity to park Crocodile Dundee’s favorite ride in your driveway.

Verdict: The Outback offers a unique combination of practicality and value, but it’s held back by lackluster tech.

Summary: The Detroit automakers have focused more on their bread-and-butter full-size pickup trucks in recent years, but General Motors still has a balanced lineup that includes several crossovers aimed at the heart of the market. The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox competes with segment stalwarts such as the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 and is related to the more upscale GMC Terrain. It was redesigned for the 2025 model year, which means changes for 2026 are limited to a standard drive mode selector and a new Polar White exterior color.

Verdict: The Equinox does everything a compact crossover should, but doesn’t set a new bar for the segment.