2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, along with subtle changes to the rear fascia. The headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, giving it a sleeker appearance. The grille appeared more upright and was flanked by large fake air intakes, making the Equinox look chunkier than its predecessor. While it maintained a car-based crossover look, it didn't adopt the rugged styling of competitors like the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4. The Equinox's tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia made it less car-like than the Ford Escape, offering a middle ground for some buyers. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and two large air vents at the centre, and materials and fit and finish were decent for the price. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the interior felt too subdued.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup truck, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia, giving it a rugged appearance popular among three-row midsized SUVs. However, the design introduced some softness with a character line swooping over the rear wheel arch, adding unnecessary visual weight. The rear echoed the trapezoidal grille in the liftgate, resulting in a disjointed body compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the asymmetrical dash was interrupted by a metallic styling element, creating a helpful storage tray. The infotainment touchscreen was mounted high atop the dash, reducing distraction. The Highlander Hybrid Bronze Edition featured 18-inch bronze alloy wheels and light grey fabric seat upholstery with a triangle motif, which seemed more suitable for a paper towel than a car. The Softex synthetic leather substitute felt more like vinyl, and the third row had more hard plastics, making it uncomfortable for longer trips.

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 used a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While it had more torque than most rivals, it offered less horsepower. The Equinox's torque was appreciated in stop-and-go driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. However, at higher speeds, the lack of horsepower became apparent, and the engine felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were a bit rough, and the Equinox lacked sporty handling, though it was decently comfortable on poorly maintained roads.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system producing 243 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive. It reached 100 km/h in just over eight seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs in its class. The electric motors provided quick initial acceleration, with the gasoline engine supplying more power as needed. The engine hum was subtle under light pressure but became a drone when more power was required. Braking was traditional, with regenerative braking recharging the hybrid batteries. The ride quality was soft, and the suspension smoothed over bumps, while the cabin remained mostly free of wind and road noise on the highway.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom in both rows. Second-row legroom was good, but some competitors offered more front seat legroom. The tall seating position provided an unobstructed forward view, though the rear pillars created a slight blind spot. The Equinox had 847 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with the seats folded, near the bottom of the segment. A power liftgate was available, but it lacked a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid's front seats were well-cushioned, with plenty of adjustments for drivers. The second-row seats were spacious, accommodating six-footers with ease, and featured sliding and reclining captain's chairs. A second-row bench was a no-cost option, increasing passenger capacity to eight. The third-row seat was less accommodating, intended for occasional use by children. Behind the third row, there were 453 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seatbacks folded and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 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 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large, smartphone-like menu icons. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were a major advantage, and there were plenty of USB ports and power outlets.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen available on the top trim. The infotainment system was quick to respond, with logically organized menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, with wireless charging available on higher trims. Navigation and an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system were standard on the Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, with a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It received a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention tech 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.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid achieved a five-star overall score from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert. A surround-view camera system and head-up display were available on the top Platinum trim. The safety systems generally worked as advertised but could use some fine-tuning.