2022 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, which contributed to a sleeker appearance. The grille was more upright and flanked by large fake air intakes, giving the Equinox a chunkier look compared to the previous model. While it maintained a car-based crossover design, it didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors. The interior featured a creative dashboard design with a central touchscreen and large air vents, offering decent materials and fit for its price range. The new RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, providing a bit more personality, though the black interior was somewhat subdued.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer offered a more athletic appearance with its rear-drive platform, long hood, and rakish roofline. The blacked-out roof pillars created a floating roof effect, adding to its visual appeal. The interior of higher-trim Explorers showcased a mix of quality materials, though some elements hinted at the base trim. The Explorer's cabin was generally comfortable, with available features like triple-zone climate control and heated seats. However, the third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited space. Practical storage was somewhat lacking, but the Explorer provided ample cargo space with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It came with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. While the Equinox had more torque than many rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine performed well in city driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base engine was a 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive in Canada. The Explorer also offered a hybrid drivetrain with a 3.3-litre V6 engine, producing a combined 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine was available, generating 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer's ride was robust, handling off-road terrain with ease, and it provided an engaging driving experience, especially in the sport-tuned ST model.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered 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 provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with the seats folded. The Equinox lacked some features found in competitors, such as a sliding second-row seat.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. The third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited space. Higher-trim models offered features like triple-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and a power-adjustable heated steering wheel. The Explorer's interior lacked practical storage solutions, but it offered 528 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,264 litres with the third row folded and 2,132 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more features, the system covered the basics effectively.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered two versions of its Sync 3 infotainment system, with either an 8-inch or a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The smaller screen was well integrated, while the larger screen appeared as an afterthought. The Explorer's tech included FordPass Connect services, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a navigation system. Higher trims added features like wireless smartphone charging and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the voice recognition system was less effective than newer Sync 4 technology, and the dashboard design could benefit from accommodating larger screens.

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 awarded the Equinox 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 and a surround-view camera system.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. While the NHTSA had not published complete crash-test ratings for 2022, the previous year's model received five-star ratings except for rollover resistance. The Explorer came with Ford Co-Pilot360, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also featured a post-collision braking system and MyKey programmable functions.