2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Cadillac XT5

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 presented a unique blend of styling that sat between the futuristic angularity of the Lexus NX and the more conventional designs of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It featured Cadillac’s signature design elements, such as a bold grille, distinctive daytime running lights, and vertical taillights reminiscent of classic Cadillacs. However, this combination resulted in an awkward mix with the XT5’s compact size and tall profile, making it unmistakably a Cadillac, albeit an ungainly one. The Premium Luxury and Sport models offered different exterior styling cues, with the former showcasing bright chrome for a traditional look and the latter featuring darker trim and a mesh grille for a sportier appearance. The interior, while luxurious with the optional Platinum Package, lacked a strong design theme and brand-specific markers, leaving little to remind occupants they were in a Cadillac.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as bold as some competitors, was an attractive crossover with a restrained bodywork and a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. The Equinox was available in four trim levels, with AWD as an option in Canada. Its design language shared similarities with the larger Chevrolet Traverse, and its relatively short profile and large windows gave an impression of spaciousness. The interior, though not as modern as some rivals, was practical and approachable, with a focus on simplicity. The Premier trim featured two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats, while the optional Confidence and Convenience II package added desirable features like ventilated front seats and an HD surround-view camera.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-litre V6 producing 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6, available on the Premium Luxury and standard on the Sport trim, provided ample power for everyday driving, with smooth and quick shifts. The optional Platinum Package included a performance suspension with adaptive dampers, offering a comfortable ride with excellent body control. The steering was well-suited to a luxury vehicle, providing nimbleness without being overly sensitive, and the cabin was notably quiet.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which received a slight power increase to 175 horsepower for the 2023 model year. With 203 pound-feet of torque, it handled low-speed acceleration adequately but struggled at higher speeds. The Equinox used a six-speed automatic transmission, which held gears longer than more modern transmissions, contributing to a noisy powertrain. AWD was available but required manual activation. The Equinox featured an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth braking, and its suspension handled bumps well. The steering was tight and accurate, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 offered competitive interior space compared to German luxury crossovers, with more front headroom than the Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, but less than the BMW X3. It provided more legroom in both rows, although it trailed the Lincoln Corsair in front legroom. The seats were comfortable but not up to luxury standards, with narrow bottom cushions and insufficient rear cushioning. The XT5 boasted 850 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,784 litres with them folded, surpassing the Q5, X3, and GLC. A hands-free power liftgate was available, and a small cubbyhole below the touchscreen offered additional storage.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not offering the largest trunk in its class, provided 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with them folded. Passenger space was ample, with sufficient headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with plenty of storage options, including cup holders for every passenger. The Premier trim came with a nearly silent power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 came with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. An optional Technology Package added an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display. While usability was improved, the tech was merely adequate compared to other luxury brands. The touchscreen was easy to navigate, but secondary controls were cumbersome, with a rotary controller and poorly placed capacitive touchpads. The standard eight-speaker Bose sound system could be upgraded to a 14-speaker Bose Performance Series system, offering excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective technology suite. The LS, LT, and RS trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Premier had an 8-inch screen. The system was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. Customizable icons and hard buttons provided easy access to features. All trims included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premier trim offered a wireless charging pad, and a Bose seven-speaker audio system was available on the RS and Premier trims.

The 2022 Cadillac XT5 included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. An optional Driver Assist Package added adaptive cruise control and enhanced automatic emergency braking. The XT5 received top scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, but it had a "Marginal" headlight rating and an "Acceptable" LATCH rating.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on all trims except Premier. The Equinox received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA but scored poorly in IIHS crash tests, with a "Poor" rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and a "Marginal" score in the side-impact test.