2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a more traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning well with Volvo's current lineup. Notable design elements included the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a retro touch with an optional white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels. It featured a gloss black roof and mirror caps, a distinct rear bumper, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic colour. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and upscale cabin environment.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, giving it a sleeker appearance. The grille was more upright, flanked by large fake air intakes, adding a chunkier look. The Equinox maintained a car-based crossover design, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Its dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the centre, and materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, although the interior was considered too subdued. Overall, the Equinox offered a balanced design without overly distinctive features.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline options included a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 produced 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 delivered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for all-wheel drive, generating a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality and the option for one-pedal driving. The Recharge model also had a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was equipped with a single powertrain option: 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, with all-wheel drive available. The Equinox had more torque than many rivals but less horsepower. It excelled in stop-and-go driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. However, at higher speeds, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive, and the transmission's shifts were rough. The Equinox was not designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors, but it provided decent comfort on rough roads.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, both in its Recharge and gasoline variants, offered no difference in passenger or cargo space. However, it was not particularly spacious, with less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size. Despite this, Volvo incorporated clever storage solutions, such as a removable trash bin in the centre console and a bag hook in the glovebox door. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were moved to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. A wireless charging pad was optional, but second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered a tall seating position and an unobstructed forward view, 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 near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, offering Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps. Gasoline models retained the previous system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge model introduced OTA update capability, allowing for software updates without visiting a dealership. It also lacked a start button, with the car starting when the driver shifted out of park.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured 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 user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage. The Equinox offered multiple USB ports and power outlets, although the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA for gasoline models. The electric XC40 Recharge was expected to perform well in crash tests due to its safety cage and redesigned front crash structure. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and more. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aids.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top “Good” scores in most IIHS crash tests but 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 more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.