2022 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 presented a rugged exterior reminiscent of traditional SUVs, with its boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end. This aggressive styling set it apart from previous RAV4 generations and most compact crossovers, enhancing its appeal as more than just an ordinary vehicle. Despite its bold exterior, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, shared with other Toyota models, which meant its mechanical underpinnings were more akin to a Camry than a 4Runner. The RAV4 offered options like the Trail model with a retro Ice Edge roof and the TRD Off-Road package with matte black wheels and red interior accents, adding to its rugged persona. Inside, the RAV4 featured functional touches like large rubberized knobs and SofTex upholstery, though material quality didn't elevate with higher trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling updates with a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia changes, giving it a sleeker look. The Equinox maintained a car-based crossover appearance, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Its tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia provided a happy medium between car-like and SUV-like aesthetics. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, offering decent materials and fit and finish for its price. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, giving it a bit more personality, though the black interior felt subdued. Overall, the Equinox's styling was less distinctive than some rivals, but it offered a comfortable and practical interior.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The engine achieved impressive thermal efficiency and loved to rev, but the transmission struggled to keep up, resulting in a less dynamic driving experience. The RAV4's steering was responsive but lacked feel, and the "Sport" mode only added weight to the steering. While the RAV4 excelled on highways with low cabin noise and a comfortable suspension, its off-road capabilities were enhanced in Trail and TRD Off-Road models with torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and 21.7 centimetres of ground clearance. However, its off-road prowess was limited by suspension articulation and approach angles.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. The Equinox's torque was advantageous in city driving, but its lack of horsepower became evident at higher speeds, where the engine felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were rough, and the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling. While it lacked the refinement of some competitors, it provided decent comfort on rough roads. The Equinox's performance was more suited to urban environments, with its turbo-four engine excelling in stop-and-go traffic.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 offered a tall, upright roof providing competitive headroom in both rows and good outward visibility. However, legroom was slightly behind some competitors, and the rear seats had flat, hard cushions. Cargo space was above average, with 1,059 litres with rear seats up and 1,977 litres with them folded, though still behind the Honda CR-V. The RAV4 featured oversized knobs and steering-wheel controls, but lacked large cupholders and console storage space.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided decent headroom in both rows and good second-row legroom, though front seat legroom was limited. The tall seating position offered an unobstructed forward view, but rear visibility was hampered by small rear windows. The Equinox's cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres with rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded. It lacked a sliding second-row seat and cargo-area storage bins found in some competitors. The Equinox's controls were prominently placed, with small knobs displaying current temperature, but the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 came with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, with most trims featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8-inch screen. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid had a 9-inch screen. Up to five USB ports were available, and a JBL premium audio system was optional. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not flashy, lacking features like a head-up display available on the RAV4 Prime.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The MyLink infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons. The Equinox offered numerous USB ports and power outlets, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more features, the Equinox's infotainment system covered the basics effectively.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. It missed the highest rating due to mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and more. A 360-degree camera system was available in certain packages.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests but had a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It received the highest 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 rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.