2024 Toyota Land Cruiser vs 2023 Chevrolet Equinox

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, offering a refreshing change from the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while a bit garish against certain paint colors like Radiant Red Tintcoat, looked appealing on others such as Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with options for either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The interior of the Premier trim was highlighted by two-tone leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, although the overall design felt somewhat dated compared to competitors. Despite this, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and a well-sorted suspension that handled bumps smoothly.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, on the other hand, embraced its iconic status with a boxy design and a flat roof, reminiscent of its predecessors. Each of the three trims featured heritage details, such as the "TOYOTA" grille and round headlights, while all lighting was updated to LED. The Land Cruiser offered improved visibility with a lowered beltline and came standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, with 20-inch options available. The First Edition trim included off-road gear like a roof rack and skid plate. Inside, the base trim had cloth seats, while the middle trim featured SofTex, and the First Edition boasted real leather. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard across all trims. The Premium Package added a moonroof and ventilated front seats. The cabin was comfortable, with cushy seats and attractive stitching, allowing drivers to focus on the terrain without discomfort.

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 miles per hour. The Equinox reached highway speeds in about eight seconds, but the engine noise was noticeable. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission, which held gears longer than newer transmissions, contributing to the noise. The Equinox offered all-wheel drive, but it required manual engagement via a button on the center console. The braking system was updated to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth and predictable braking. The suspension was well-engineered, offering a comfortable ride, and the steering was tight and accurate.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a 1.87-kWh battery pack, and a 48-hp electric motor, producing a total of 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Multi-Terrain Select system operated in both 4Hi and 4Lo, and the vehicle included rear- and center-locking differentials. The Land Cruiser also featured a push-button disconnect for the front sway bar, allowing for better articulation off-road. The CRAWL control function offered five speed settings for managing challenging terrain, operating silently. The transmission was unobtrusive, providing a smooth driving experience.

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 down. While not the largest in its class, it surpassed the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. Passenger space was ample, with sufficient headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with plenty of storage options, including cup holders and a center console bin. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, based on the Prado, had two rows of seating with no third-row option. Headroom measured 36.1 inches in the front and 35.3 inches in the back, with legroom at 33.0 inches front and 26.7 inches rear. The center console provided easy access to off-road features, and the infotainment controls were conveniently placed. The cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space, with a raised load floor and a rubber mat for easy cleaning. It included a 120-volt AC outlet and USB-C ports in higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple technology offering, with a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and an 8-inch screen in the Premier trim. While not as flashy as competitors, the system was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, and all trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The driver-information display, though simple, provided useful features.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with the Multi-Terrain Monitor system, standard on higher trims, which utilized a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The system activated automatically at low speeds, aiding off-road navigation. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with USB-C ports for front and rear passengers. The base trim had an 8-inch display and a six-speaker sound system, while higher trims offered a 10-speaker system or an optional 14-speaker JBL system. The Premium Package added a head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with a suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked level two autonomous driving technology. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, but the IIHS rated it poorly in moderate overlap front and side-impact crash tests.

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but its platform-mates, like the 2024 Tundra, received high safety ratings. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and lane-tracing assist. The Premium Package added lane-keep assist, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.