2022 Kia Sorento 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 like the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and the materials and fit 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 2022 Kia Sorento, particularly in the X-Line trim, boasted a stylish and rugged appearance with features like matte-finish wheels, black lower body cladding, and robust roof rails. The interior exuded quality, with leather upholstery and simulated wood trim, and the cabin reflected solid construction. The Sorento offered a comfortable and well-equipped interior, with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and second-row captain’s chairs. However, the third-row seat was cramped and better suited for children. The Sorento's cargo space was expandable, and the smart power tailgate added convenience.

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 featured a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While the Equinox had more torque than many rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine performed well in city driving, but at higher speeds, it felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox lacked sporty handling and refinement compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered multiple engine options, including a standard 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and hybrid powertrains. The turbo engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, provided a more enjoyable driving experience, with a 0-60 mph time of about 7.5 seconds. The Sorento's suspension offered a blend of compliance and composure, making it feel more like a sports sedan. Fuel consumption was higher than expected, averaging 11.5 L/100 km during testing, but hybrid options were available for better efficiency.

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, but rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. 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 or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2022 Kia Sorento's interior felt luxurious, with features like heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Second-row captain’s chairs were standard from the EX trim, and the area was designed with kids in mind, offering cupholders, USB ports, and rear climate control vents. The third-row seat was cramped and better suited for occasional use. Cargo space was limited with the third row up but expanded to 1,274 litres with it folded and 2,139 litres with the second row down. The smart power tailgate added convenience for loading.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless smartphone integration was a significant advantage, although the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on lower trims, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch display with navigation and Kia Connect services. The system was intuitive, but the graphics and colours might not appeal to everyone. The Sorento shared its infotainment technology with Hyundai models, but voice recognition was less effective. A 12-speaker Bose audio system was reserved for the SX trim, and a wireless phone charger was standard from the LX Premium trim.

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 awarded 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.

The 2022 Kia Sorento offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including a rear-seat reminder system and Junction Assist. The Blind View Monitor system was available on the SX trim, enhancing blind-spot monitoring. Highway Driving Assist provided Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The Sorento was an IIHS Top Safety Pick, with a four-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The only negative rating was for the LED headlights, which were standard in Canada.