2022 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

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 design, it didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors. The Equinox's tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia made it less car-like than the Ford Escape, offering a happy medium for some buyers. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and 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 wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, giving it a bit more personality.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its second generation into its 14th year, maintaining a mature design. Its exterior featured a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and unadorned body sides with straight lines. The Sequoia's dimensions were substantial, with a height of 1,956 mm, width of 2,030 mm, and length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. It offered 32 cm of ground clearance, with optional running boards for convenience. Inside, the Sequoia's design felt dated compared to modern trends, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. However, the interior was typical Toyota, with tight seams, high-quality materials, and a durable feel. The Nightshade Special Edition model, based on the Limited trim, showcased Toyota's efforts to keep the Sequoia updated.

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 it had more torque than most rivals, it lagged in 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 engine felt coarse and unresponsive, and the automatic transmission's shifts were a bit rough. Despite its RS trim, the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission, a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential, and a two-speed transfer case with low range in 4WD models. The Sequoia had a payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Its weight contributed to its fuel consumption ratings of 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 13.9 on the highway, and 16.4 combined. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and good second-row legroom. However, some competitors provided more front-seat legroom. The Equinox's tall seating position and sloping hood provided an unobstructed forward view, though rear visibility was somewhat 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 the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, with roomy seating across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The centre console and glove compartment offered ample storage, and rear passengers had access to cup holders and power outlets. The Sequoia's cargo compartment included a 12-volt outlet, with 535 litres of luggage space behind the third-row seats. Power-folding the third row opened up 1,886 litres of cargo space, and folding both the second and third rows provided 3,401 litres of space.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trim levels offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The infotainment system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, and the Equinox offered multiple USB ports and power outlets.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. While the Sequoia's technology lagged behind competitors, Toyota updated its exterior lighting to LED and included a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

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 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 Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. However, it was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The STAR safety system included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. The Sequoia also featured a full complement of airbags, LATCH connectors, and front and rear parking-assist sonar.