Chevrolet Equinox vs Toyota bZ

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox was positioned as a mid-tier option in Chevrolet's lineup, larger and more expensive than the Trax and Trailblazer, yet below the Blazer and Traverse. Its design shared familial styling cues with its siblings, making it challenging to distinguish without the model name on the doors. Despite this, the Equinox's broad fenders, squat roofline, and tall grille with high-mounted daytime running lights gave it a distinct SUV character. The design was more successful than rivals that attempted to blend car and SUV aesthetics without falling into clichés. 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 some neat details, though the plastic surfaces revealed its price point. The Activ model featured unique microfiber and Evotex seats, while the RS trim added sporty touches like a flat-bottom steering wheel.

The 2026 Toyota bZ was offered in XLE and Limited trims with options for single-motor FWD or dual-motor AWD, and two battery sizes. The larger battery provided more power, performance, and range, with prices ranging from $36,495 to $46,895. The XLE test vehicle featured FWD and the optional larger battery, transforming it into the XLE Plus. The bZ's restyled exterior looked better with body-color trim, and the interior boasted a cleaner dashboard and center console, enhancing quality and organization. The XLE's fabric seats had an upscale pattern, and the 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate control with large icons for easy use. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. The bZ's design improvements and features aimed to offer a more refined and user-friendly experience compared to its predecessor.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engine producing 175 horsepower, paired with a CVT in FWD models and an eight-speed automatic in AWD versions. The AWD model offered 203 lb-ft of torque, while the FWD was limited to 184 lb-ft. The turbo-four's output was adequate, but the eight-speed automatic transmission sometimes hesitated to downshift, affecting power delivery. The Equinox's suspension setup provided a comfortable ride but lacked body control, leading to bouncing on uneven surfaces. Despite these issues, the Equinox excelled as a highway cruiser with active noise cancellation, though the all-terrain tires on the Activ trim added noise and reduced grip.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a choice between a single electric motor with a 57.7-kWh battery or a dual-motor setup with a 74.7-kWh battery. The XLE FWD with the smaller battery delivered 165 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque, with an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. The larger battery increased power to 224 hp and extended the range to 314 miles. Dual-motor models produced 338 hp and offered varying ranges depending on the trim. The bZ's charging capabilities included compatibility with Tesla Superchargers and a CCS adapter for other stations. Efficiency tests showed the bZ performed better than EPA estimates in certain conditions. The bZ's instant torque made it agile in city driving, but the FWD model struggled with traction in tight corners. On highways, the bZ was comfortable but lacked robust passing power, and its ride could be choppy on uneven surfaces.

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

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered easy entry and exit with 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Both front seats featured standard height adjustment, and the Limited trim added ventilated front seats. The bZ lacked a traditional glove compartment but compensated with a large bin under the center armrest and a tray beneath the console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was tight. Cargo space was 27.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats, reduced to 25.8 cubic feet in the Limited trim due to a JBL subwoofer. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo capacity to 56.9 cubic feet (55 cubes in the Limited trim).

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offered good value in terms of technology, with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen housed in a stylish curved design. 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. The Equinox's touchscreen was larger than some competitors, providing clearer icons and a better view for the rear-view camera. However, it lacked options for a head-up display or a more elaborate audio system.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The driver display was criticized for its placement and readability, while the 14-inch display ran the Toyota Audio Multimedia system. The system was generally easy to use, but lacked a home screen for simultaneous data panels and had low-contrast colors in daytime mode. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and offered several connected service plans. The Drive Connect powered the native navigation system and the Intelligent Assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitors. 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 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 Toyota bZ included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which offered features like forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist added subtle braking and steering inputs for safety. The Limited trim included Traffic Jam Assist and other advanced features. The bZ's adaptive cruise control had inconsistent responses in traffic, and the driver monitoring system was overly sensitive. The IIHS gave the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech a Good rating, but the headlights received a Poor rating, and frontal-impact crash tests earned Acceptable ratings.