Chevrolet Equinox vs Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox was positioned as a larger and more expensive option compared to the Chevy Trax and Trailblazer, yet it remained below the Blazer and Traverse in Chevrolet's lineup. Despite the similar styling across these models, the Equinox managed to stand out with its broad fenders, squat roofline, and tall grille, which were accentuated by high-mounted daytime running lights. These features gave it a distinct SUV character, even though it was built on a car-like unibody. The Equinox's design was considered more successful than its segment rivals, avoiding the clichés often seen in attempts to blend car and SUV styling cues. The Equinox was available in LT, Active, and RS trims, each offering unique styling features such as chrome grille mesh, black trim, and varying wheel sizes. Inside, the Equinox's cabin was well-assembled, with neat details like large air vents and a spear-like trim piece. The Activ model featured unique microfiber and Evotex seats, while the RS trim offered sporty touches like a flat-bottom steering wheel.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue, classified as a crossover SUV by Hyundai, was more akin to a tall hatchback. It offered only front-wheel drive and had a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, which was higher than a typical car but not as tall as a standard crossover SUV. The Venue's design leaned more towards a crossover with its upright windshield, bluff nose, and standard roof rails. The high nose was complemented by lower headlights and high-set daytime running lights, while black wheel flares and rocker panels added to its SUV-like appearance. Inside, the Venue's cabin was simple and functional, featuring a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that resembled an iPad. The body-color trim around the air vents and shifter added a touch of the exterior design to the interior.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engine, producing 175 horsepower. It came with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the front-wheel-drive models, limiting torque to 184 pound-feet. The all-wheel-drive models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering 203 lb-ft of torque. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, especially in the AWD Equinox Activ test car, though drivers needed a heavy foot for overtaking and merging. The eight-speed automatic transmission sometimes hesitated to downshift, but using the steering-wheel paddle shifters helped alleviate this issue. The Equinox's suspension setup, with MacPherson struts in the front and a four-link rear, was designed for a wide audience, offering a comfortable ride but lacking in body control during quick steering inputs. The Equinox excelled as a highway cruiser, aided by standard active noise cancellation, though the all-terrain tires on the Activ trim added some noise and reduced grip.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was one of the least powerful vehicles on the market, with a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. The power was delivered through a CVT to the front wheels, with no all-wheel-drive option available. Despite its low power, the Venue's lightweight design, at 2,738 pounds, allowed it to achieve a 0-60 mph time in the 8.5–8.8-second range. The Venue felt peppy in city traffic but struggled at highway speeds, where the transmission was slow to downshift. The engine droned under heavy throttle, and the Venue's limited sound deadening made this more noticeable. Handling was aided by the Venue's small size and low weight, making it easy to maneuver in traffic and park in tight spots. However, the 6.7 inches of ground clearance led to some lean in corners, and the solid rear axle made the ride jiggly on rough surfaces.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offered nearly identical headroom and first-row legroom compared to its competitors, though some rivals provided slightly more rear-seat legroom. The seats in both rows were supportive but under-cushioned. The Equinox Activ test car featured the $950 Convenience Package III, which added amenities like a power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, and heated outboard rear seats. The driver enjoyed an elevated seating position, though the flat hood and deep dashboard limited forward visibility. The Equinox provided ample storage space, including an angled wireless phone charger and a spacious center console. Cargo space was 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was less than segment leaders. The maximum towing capacity for AWD models was 1,500 pounds.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue's interior featured cloth and H-Tex seats with black upholstery and white contrast stitching, offering decent comfort and manual adjustments for a natural driving position. Headroom was plentiful, but legroom was limited for taller occupants. The rear seat could accommodate average-sized adults, but taller passengers would struggle for legroom. The rear seat folded flat in a 60/40 split, providing 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space, while space with the seats up was 18.7 cubic feet. This was less than typical compact crossovers and even some hatchbacks. The Venue's rear cargo floor lifted to access a compact spare tire, revealing cost-cutting measures like the lack of sound deadening. The interior featured hard black plastic surfaces, with only the top of the center console and door armrests offering soft-touch materials.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offered good value in terms of technology, with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen as standard. These were housed in a stylish curved setup reminiscent of Audi cockpits. The Android-based infotainment system included Google built-in apps, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with easy-to-identify icons and a shallow menu structure. Physical knobs and buttons were provided for climate control and seat heating/ventilation. The Equinox's screen size was larger than some competitors, offering clearer icons and a better view for the rear-view camera. However, there was no option for a head-up display or a more elaborate audio system.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue came with a simple 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment features. While the screen size felt small compared to current standards, it was functional, with large icons and quick response times. The system included phone, radio, media, and phone-projection connections, but lacked features like navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, allowing users to access some features through their phones. The digital instrument cluster displayed limited information and was not programmable. The audio system was a basic six-speaker unit, with no premium option available.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and more. GM-specific features included a vibrating driver's seat for warnings and the Teen Driver system. The Safety and Technology Package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and other features. The Equinox received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with top Good ratings in some tests but lower ratings in others. The NHTSA had not released safety ratings for the 2026 model at the time of writing.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered a good set of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert were available on all but the base SE trim. The Venue's safety systems worked well, though the driver attention monitor was overly sensitive. The Venue received a four-star rating from the NHTSA, while most vehicles received five stars. The IIHS had not released full safety ratings, but the Venue received a top Good score in the small front overlap test.