2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its appearance with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The updated model featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive "shark fin" C-pillar, giving it a more modern and robust look compared to its predecessor. Each trim level offered unique exterior styling elements, with the base Equinox LT available in chrome or a contemporary Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim, known for its sportier design, included black mirrors, badges, and red RS emblems, while the new ACTIV trim showcased dark chrome accents and all-terrain tires. The interior of the 2025 Equinox was also revamped, with a focus on texture and design. The RS and ACTIV trims featured distinct interior themes, with the ACTIV trim offering a "Maple Sugar and Black" theme and the RS trim incorporating red highlights and contrast stitching. The cabin felt premium, with thoughtful design choices that avoided a cheap feel.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid presented a bold design that could polarize opinions, particularly with its flat, wide grille. The vehicle's personality varied with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and amber accent lights. The side profile featured angular fender sculpting and unique black plastic tabs, while the rear adopted a Range Rover-like style with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, offering a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, with the optional Executive package, provided a luxurious feel with a lighter two-tone palette. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, offered comfort but had firm cushions that could be uncomfortable on long drives. The interior materials were of high quality, with options like engineered wood and carbon fiber surfaces.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied with the powertrain, offering 184 lb-ft in front-wheel-drive models and 203 lb-ft in all-wheel-drive versions. The FWD models featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while AWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed transmission was an improvement over the previous six-speed, providing smoother and quieter shifts. The Equinox offered a responsive accelerator at low speeds, though highway merging highlighted the engine's limitations. The AWD version could tow up to 1,500 pounds, while FWD models were limited to 800 pounds. Selectable drive modes were introduced, with RS and ACTIV trims offering Normal, Snow, and Off-Road modes.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system was paired with a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. The X-Pro Prestige model offered off-road capabilities, while the Hybrid SX Prestige trim delivered a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride's suspension managed to absorb bumps effectively, and the vehicle remained composed on winding roads. The brake pedal required some getting used to, but the vehicle performed well in panic stops.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard on the RS and ACTIV trims. A $950 package added front seat ventilation, heated rear seats, and driver's seat memory. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with 38.2 inches in the front seats with the moonroof and 37.8 inches in the back. The moonroof extended into the rear seats, adding light for 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 was available beneath the cargo area's load floor.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation in the Hybrid SX Prestige trim. The seats provided a business-class-like reclining feature but took time to slide and tilt forward for third-row access. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride could hold up to 22.3 cubic feet of cargo behind the third row, with a total capacity of 89.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride could tow up to 5,000 pounds, or 4,500 for the Hybrid.

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 voice control system had some volume issues, but most tech features were standard, including an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wi-fi hotspot capability, and a six-speaker audio system. Wireless charging was standard on RS and ACTIV trims.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control touchscreen. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was user-friendly but had some delays and required firm taps. The Telluride offered customizable themes for the infotainment screen and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system on the SX trim and above.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package for $1,085, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. The Chevy Safety Assist suite included standard features like rear park assist, lane-change alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to program speed and volume limitations and provided a "report card" of driving behavior.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid included standard advanced safety features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, and automatic reverse braking. The driver attention monitor had some operational issues, but the highway driving assist was effective on long trips.