2023 Lexus RX Hybrid 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 like the Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative 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 Lexus RX Hybrid presented a more refined and minimalistic interior, with a focus on luxury and comfort. The RX 350h Luxury model featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier black interior with artificial suede and dark grey aluminum trim. The exterior design of the RX Hybrid was not considered particularly attractive, with a blunt-nosed appearance and a wheelbase stretch that made it look smaller. However, it offered a clean and contemporary look with backlit ambient lighting and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system.

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 provided good torque for city driving, but at higher speeds, it felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were also somewhat rough, and the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two hybrid powertrain options. The RX 350h featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, producing 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque. It was expected to average 6.5 L/100 km in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, on the other hand, employed a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, delivering 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. It featured an adaptive damping suspension and a Dynamic Rear Steering system, providing a more engaging driving experience. However, its fuel economy was lower, averaging 11.3 L/100 km during testing.

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 it challenging to find a comfortable driving position. 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 behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with the seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim with ten-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger side bolsters. Rear legroom and space for feet were good, but rear headroom was tight due to the higher seat cushion and lower roofline. Cargo space was improved over the previous model, with 838 litres behind the rear seat and 1,308 litres with the seat folded down.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trim levels 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. However, the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, the Lexus Interface, which required a subscription for connected services after the trial period. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloud-based navigation, and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. While the system worked reasonably well, it had some limitations, such as the inability to view multiple screen menus simultaneously and issues with screen reflections. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which could be distracting.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but received 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 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driver assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. It also featured Proactive Driving Assist, which automatically slowed the vehicle to maintain a safe following distance. The RX Hybrid had a new front cross-traffic alert system and curve-speed reduction tech, though some features were not well-received. Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park were available but not tested.