2022 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's renowned craftsmanship, fitting seamlessly into the brand's SUV lineup. Its design was unmistakably BMW, from the iconic kidney grille to its body shape, ensuring it stood out as a luxury SUV. However, this familiarity also meant it could blend in with other BMWs in a crowded parking lot. The X5 featured full adaptive LED headlights and a choice of matte aluminum or high-gloss black finishes, depending on the trim. The M Sport models added a sporty flair with body-coloured trims and larger wheels, enhancing its athletic appearance. Inside, the X5's interior was consistent with BMW's design language, featuring a mix of leather and soft-touch materials, though it was criticized for its abundance of black plastic. The M Sport models offered unique interior styling, including an M sports steering wheel and exclusive trim strips.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia changes, giving it a sleeker look. The grille was more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, adding a chunkier appearance. Unlike rugged competitors, the Equinox embraced its car-based crossover identity, offering a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia. The dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, providing a cohesive look. Materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range, with cloth seats standard and perforated leather available. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the interior was considered too subdued.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base xDrive40i model featured a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, with all-wheel drive as standard. The X5 M50i boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, while the X5 M offered up to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new xDrive45e plug-in hybrid model combined a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with a 24-kilowatt-hour battery, achieving 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, and offering up to 50 kilometres of all-electric range. The X5's driving dynamics were criticized for lacking the connected experience expected from BMW, with steering issues at higher speeds. However, the cabin remained quiet, and the suspension absorbed road imperfections well. Charging the plug-in hybrid was convenient, with a five-hour charge time on a Level 2 charger and a total driving range of about 600 kilometres.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. The Equinox's torque was appreciated in stop-and-go driving, but the lack of horsepower was noticeable at higher speeds, with the engine feeling coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were also rough. While the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, it provided decent comfort on poorly maintained roads. Compared to rivals, the Equinox had more torque but less horsepower, making it less powerful than competitors like the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with front cupholders conveniently placed and a wireless phone charging pad. Seating was spacious and comfortable for short trips, though the front seats could feel hard after extended periods. The rear seats were comfortable for children and two adults, with an optional third row available. The split liftgate was easy to operate, and the vehicle height adjustment button on the liftgate was helpful for loading cargo. Without the third row, the X5 offered ample cargo space, though the xDrive45e had slightly less due to its battery. However, moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was challenging due to narrow door openings.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position difficult. The Equinox provided a tall seating position with an unobstructed forward view, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. Climate controls were prominently placed below the touchscreen, with small knobs displaying the current temperature. The Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded, but it lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins found in competitors.

The 2021 BMW X5 came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. However, Apple CarPlay had connectivity issues, often taking over musical operations unexpectedly. Standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, panoramic sunroof, and remote start. Optional upgrades included a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, ventilated and massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The iDrive system required some acclimation but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. Navigation and a Bose 7-speaker audio system were available. The MyLink infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small. The system covered essential features without unnecessary complexity.

The 2021 BMW X5 was equipped with a comprehensive list of standard safety and driver assistance features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping, particularly in bright sunlight or light rain. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, despite being subject to seven recalls.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, though it received a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It achieved a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded the Equinox a five-star overall safety rating, with five stars in frontal and side crash tests and four stars in rollover tests. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy's Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.