2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a refreshed design with a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia changes. The grille appeared more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, giving it a chunkier look. The Equinox maintained its car-based crossover identity, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Inside, the dashboard's creative design with a central touchscreen and air vents was well-executed, offering decent materials and fit. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, though the interior felt too subdued.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma, with a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia, giving it a rugged appearance. However, the design felt disjointed with a swooping character line and a bloated look. Inside, the asymmetrical dash featured a metallic styling element and a high-mounted infotainment touchscreen. The Bronze Edition's light grey fabric upholstery was impractical, while other trims offered more conventional materials. The third row was less accommodating, with hard plastics and limited comfort.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It used a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Equinox excelled in city driving with its torque, but the lack of horsepower was evident at higher speeds. The engine felt coarse, and the transmission's shifts were rough. While not sporty, it offered decent comfort on rough roads.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine producing 243 horsepower, paired with a CVT. It offered standard front-wheel drive, with optional all-wheel drive via an electric motor. Acceleration was smooth, but the engine's drone was noticeable under pressure. The ride quality was soft, with a quiet cabin on highways. The Highlander Hybrid prioritized comfort over sporty handling, making it suitable for family use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was limited, affecting driving comfort. The tall seating position provided good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by small windows. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with them folded.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid provided well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments. The second row was spacious, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs. The third row was less accommodating, suitable for children or short trips. Cargo space was 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with seats folded, and 84.3 cubic feet at maximum capacity.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and Bose audio. The system was user-friendly, though tech-savvy buyers might desire more features.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option for top trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The system was responsive, with physical shortcut buttons and climate controls. Navigation and JBL audio were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests, with a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a five-star NHTSA rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and a Safety Alert Seat. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star NHTSA rating and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The systems generally worked well but needed fine-tuning for smoother operation.