Chevrolet Equinox vs Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, even if it didn't boast the futuristic design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged appearance of a Toyota RAV4. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end, which made the grille appear smaller and more refined compared to the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while garish against some colors, looked appealing on shades like Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with options for FWD or AWD. Inside, the Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Despite its somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and spacious cupholders.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, in contrast, was over-styled with exaggerated forms and a visual assault of scowling headlights and flared fenders. The interior continued this theme with oversized elements like a 12.3-inch touchscreen and large climate control knobs. However, the mismatched textures and reflections from the display made the cabin visually overwhelming. The quality of materials was questionable, with controls that felt inexpensive and storage areas that were unlined, leading to potential noise. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid was quiet on the road, thanks to acoustic front window glass in the Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration adequately, it struggled to accelerate above 30 mph, making highway merging and passing challenging. The six-speed automatic transmission, though outdated compared to competitors' CVTs or eight- and nine-speed automatics, contributed to the Equinox's powertrain noise. The AWD system required manual engagement but retained settings for future drives. The Equinox's braking system was upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth and predictable braking. Its suspension handled bumps well, and the steering was tight and accurate, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. The electric motors assisted with acceleration and allowed for EV mode at low speeds. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power, and towing capacity was questionable. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an additional Trail mode for AWD models. Its Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to maximize fuel efficiency but fell short of EPA estimates, achieving only 28.7 mpg. The Highlander Hybrid's soft suspension and CVT made for a comfortable but uninspiring driving experience, with quiet highway performance.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not the largest in its class, it provided ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, numerous cupholders, and a nearly silent power liftgate.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid accommodated seven or eight passengers, depending on the trim and configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third row suitable only for occasional use. Standard equipment included three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain's chairs. The third row was difficult to access and uncomfortable for adults. The Highlander Hybrid offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, the optional all-weather cargo mat compromised utility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective technology suite. The 8-inch touchscreen, standard on the Premier trim, was crisp, clear, and easy to use. The infotainment system responded quickly, with good voice recognition and customizable icons for quick access to features. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity were standard across all trims, with a wireless charging pad included in the Premier trim.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology for 2023, with upper trims receiving a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 12.3-inch display on higher trims, with over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected service plans included Wi-Fi Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, offering features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle also included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, though the graphics could have been bolder.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came equipped with a suite of standard ADAS, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked level two autonomous driving technology. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front and side-impact crash tests.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid excelled in safety, featuring Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and more. Hybrids included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with Limited and Platinum trims adding parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.