2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its appearance with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The modernized look featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive “shark fin” C-pillar, making it more akin to the Suburban or Silverado than its previous iterations. Each trim level offered unique styling elements, with the base Equinox LT available in chrome or a Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim sported black mirrors, badges, and red RS emblems, while the new ACTIV trim showcased dark chrome accents and all-terrain tires. The interior of the Equinox was equally impressive, with a new layout that removed the substantial cowl and relocated the shifter to the steering column, creating a more open center console. The RS and ACTIV trims featured distinct interior themes, with the RS offering a sporty look with red highlights and contrast stitching, and the ACTIV trim providing a lighter cabin with a two-tone black and tan theme.

In contrast, the 2025 Jeep Wrangler maintained its rugged, iconic design, reminiscent of its military roots. The Sport S trim we encountered in Hawaii was a black-on-black hardtop with dark gray wheels, which proved less than ideal in the tropical climate. Despite this, the Wrangler's appeal lay in its capability and nostalgic design. The Wrangler offered a range of trims, including the powerful Rubicon 392 with a 470-horsepower V8 engine. The interior of the Sport S was functional, with a focus on durability and utility. The cloth upholstery was comfortable, and the Convenience Group option added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. However, the Wrangler's interior space was limited, with narrow door openings and a challenging entry and exit process. Cargo space was reasonable but accessing it required maneuvering around the tailgate and rear window.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied between 184 lb-ft in front-wheel-drive models and 203 lb-ft in all-wheel-drive versions, due to different transmissions. The front-wheel-drive models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the all-wheel-drive versions came with an eight-speed automatic. The eight-speed transmission was an improvement over the previous six-speed, offering smoother and quieter shifts. The Equinox's acceleration was responsive at low speeds, but the engine's limitations became apparent during highway merges. The ride was generally quiet and comfortable, with the all-wheel-drive models capable of towing up to 1,500 pounds. Selectable drive modes, including Normal, Snow, and Off-Road, were available, enhancing the Equinox's versatility.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, offering better fuel efficiency and performance at higher elevations. During our test drive in Hawaii, the Wrangler achieved an average fuel economy of 19.2 mpg. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it well-suited for off-road adventures. However, the ride was rough, with a steady stream of jiggles and jolts, and the steering was slow and disconnected. The Wrangler's three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA was a concern, but its off-road capabilities remained impressive.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a comfortable and spacious interior, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on the RS and ACTIV trims. The Evotex seats provided a premium feel, and the flat roof allowed for consistent headroom throughout the cabin. The moonroof extended into the rear seats, adding light for back-seat passengers. Cargo space was slightly reduced, with 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded down. A hidden storage compartment beneath the load floor added convenience, though the overall cargo volume was small for the class.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and heated options available. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of the plastic hooks on the front seatbacks. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in the cupholders. Accessing the cargo area required maneuvering around the tailgate and rear window, but the square-shaped cargo hold offered 31.7 cubic feet of space, expandable to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing for simultaneous infotainment activities. The 11.3-inch touchscreen was 30% larger than the previous model, and wireless charging was standard on the RS and ACTIV trims. The voice control system had some issues, but overall, the Equinox's tech features were comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was easy to use, even with the roof panels removed. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display between the analog gauges, passive entry, and a remote engine starting system. Rear parking sensors were available in the Active Safety Group option pack, enhancing the Wrangler's practicality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a comprehensive suite of safety features as part of the Chevy Safety Assist package. This included rear park assist, lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning. The Safety & Technology package added rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, and a camera rearview mirror. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to set speed and volume limitations and receive a report card on driving behavior.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler added side curtain airbags as standard equipment for the front and rear seats. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was only available on the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Wrangler as Good for side-impact protection and moderate overlap frontal-impact tests, but the small overlap frontal-impact test resulted in a Marginal rating.