2023 Hyundai Santa Fe 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 its predecessor. 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 touchscreen and large air vents, and materials were decent for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, but the interior was considered too subdued.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe maintained a conservative exterior design, with a wide grille and thin LED headlights as its distinctive elements. The five-passenger SUV was available in four trim levels in Canada, all with standard all-wheel drive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a black interior with Nappa leather seats, offering a high-quality look and feel. The cabin was dark and monotone, but the beige or grey interior options provided more visual contrast. The Santa Fe's seats were comfortable, with heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats, making it a practical choice for varying weather conditions.

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, but at higher speeds, it felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox lacked sporty handling and the refinement of some competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a choice between a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version with 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided brisk acceleration and smooth performance. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with four customizable modes and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The turbocharged version excelled in acceleration and passing power, with no discernible turbo lag. Handling was smooth, and the dual-clutch transmission performed well without low-speed clunkiness. The Santa Fe's towing capacity varied between 907 kg for the non-turbo and 1,587 kg for the turbo version.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and 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 small rear windows. Cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with the seats folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, offered generous rear-seat legroom of 1,060 millimetres and competitive cargo space of 1,032 litres behind the second row. Folding the seats expanded storage to 2,041 litres, and an underfloor storage compartment added convenience. The Santa Fe's seats were comfortable, with standard heated front seats and an eight-way power driver's seat. Higher trims included features like a hands-free smart liftgate, ventilated front seats, and a head-up display. The panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting enhanced the cabin's appeal, though the wide centre console limited driver leg space.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, 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. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more features, the system covered the basics effectively.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included wireless device charging and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system offered extensive customization options, though voice recognition had mixed results. The Santa Fe's technology package was comprehensive, with features like a digital instrument cluster and advanced driver assistance systems.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests but had 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, lane keep assist, and Chevy’s Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim added Highway Driving Assist. The Santa Fe received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. Its safety features provided peace of mind, with reminders for rear-seat passengers and safe-exit warnings.