2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid initially presented a bold and distinctive design, characterized by its blunt and bulbous nose, which gave it an aggressive appearance. Over time, however, this design became more familiar and less striking. The SUV's styling was further accentuated by black windshield pillars that created a floating roof effect, and swollen haunches that attempted to balance the overall look. Despite these efforts, the design was somewhat overwhelmed by the cartoonishly-flared quarter panels, even with the addition of 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior of the Highlander Hybrid Platinum trim offered a two-tone look with soft leather, but the dashboard's asymmetrical design and the 12.3-inch screen suffered from reflections on sunny days. The mix of illumination colours in the gauges also contributed to a busy appearance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling changes that included a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia updates, giving it a sleeker look. The grille appeared more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, which made the Equinox look chunkier than its predecessor. Unlike some competitors, the Equinox did not attempt to mimic rugged, truck-based SUVs, instead opting for a design that struck a balance between car-like and SUV-like appearances. The dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and the materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, although the interior was considered too subdued.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid transitioned from a V6 engine to a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, resulting in improved fuel efficiency with a rating of 6.7 L/100 km in combined driving. However, this change also led to a decrease in total output to 243 horsepower. The hybrid system used an "E-CVT" to mimic an automatic transmission, but the driving experience was less enjoyable, with the engine sounding strained during acceleration and hill climbs. The steering was lifeless, and the ride exhibited unwanted body movement, although regenerative brakes were an improvement. On smooth roads, the Highlander Hybrid handled well, but on uneven surfaces, it became less composed. The SUV excelled in city driving with its electric motor torque and EV Mode, but overall, it was not particularly fun to drive.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it had more torque than some rivals, it lacked horsepower compared to others. The engine performed well in stop-and-go driving, but at higher speeds, it felt coarse and unresponsive. The six-speed automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough. The Equinox was not designed for sporty handling, lacking the driving enjoyment of competitors like the Mazda CX-5. It also fell short in terms of solidity and refinement compared to the Honda CR-V, although it provided decent comfort on rough roads.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered roomy and supportive accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with features like a heated steering wheel and leather upholstery. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the Highlander felt narrow, making it uncomfortable for three adults in the second row. The third-row seat was low and lacked support, with limited legroom and headroom. Cargo space measured 453 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,370 litres with it folded, and a maximum of 2,387 litres. However, storage was less generous than the previous generation, and the wireless smartphone charger blocked access to the storage area.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was slightly lacking, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered a tall seating position with good forward visibility, although rear visibility was hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons and knobs were prominently placed, and keyless entry and start were standard. Cargo space was 847 litres 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.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid came equipped with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard features. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. The JBL sound system, however, had mixed audio quality. The Highlander also offered Driver Easy Speak technology and a video rearview mirror for improved visibility. The driver information display provided detailed information and settings.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trim levels received an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The Chevy MyLink infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless connectivity was a significant advantage. The Equinox also offered multiple USB ports and power outlets, although the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included features like automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. The system added intersection support and emergency steering assistance for 2021. A blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, and the Platinum trim included a surround-view camera system. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating. 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.