2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often criticized for its generic appearance, blending in with the sea of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was marked by a few distinguishing features, such as the grille opening and some chromed plastic elements, but overall, it didn't stand out in terms of exterior styling. The CR-V was available in seven colours, though many were variations of gray, black, and white, with only a couple of more vibrant options like blue and red. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and upscale touches like wood panels and chrome, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson were noted for having more distinctive styling, especially in mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent some styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle changes to the rear fascia, giving it a slightly sleeker and chunkier appearance. The Equinox maintained a car-based crossover look, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Its interior featured a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and materials were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels for a bit more personality, though the interior was considered too subdued. Overall, the Equinox's styling was seen as a happy medium, but it lacked some distinctive features found in rivals.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 190 horsepower. It offered smooth and steady acceleration, taking about 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h. All trims featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provided a consistent driving experience but lacked engagement compared to competitors with conventional transmissions. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. The CR-V's handling and ride quality were decent, with a MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. It used a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive optional. The Equinox had more torque than many rivals, making it responsive in city driving, but its lack of horsepower was noticeable at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were sometimes rough, and the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling. While it was comfortable on rough roads, it lacked the refinement of the CR-V.

The 2021 Honda CR-V prioritized functionality, offering ample interior space with over 100 litres more volume than the Toyota RAV4. It provided 1,065 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured manual, power, or hands-free tailgate options. Roof rails were standard on most trims, enhancing its practicality for carrying additional gear.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox also seated five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was slightly lacking, and the absence of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded, which was less than some competitors. A power liftgate was available, but it lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2021 Honda CR-V featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Lower trims had varying speaker setups, while higher trims like the Touring offered a 300-watt audio system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were abundant, with USB ports and a wireless phone charger available on higher trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The Equinox also offered multiple USB ports, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a suite of advanced safety features standard across all trims. These included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and more. The only feature not standard on the base trim was blind spot monitoring.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a five-star NHTSA rating. It offered standard safety features like 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. Some features, like adaptive cruise control, were standard on competitors but optional on the Equinox.