2023 Nissan Pathfinder 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 avoided the rugged styling of some competitors, offering a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia that made it less car-like than the Ford Escape. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents, and materials were decent for the price. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the interior was considered too subdued.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its redesign from the previous year, maintaining a modern aesthetic with futuristic headlights and an angular C-pillar. This design bridged traditional elements with forward-thinking style, ensuring the Pathfinder remained relevant. Inside, the cabin boasted clean lines and a sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical. The Pathfinder offered various trims, each with distinct features, such as the rugged Rock Creek with off-road enhancements and a water-repellent interior. The SL trim added advanced driving aids, while the Platinum trim included luxury features like second-row captain chairs and a digital instrument cluster.

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 vehicle lacked sporty handling and refinement compared to competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek variant offered a slight power boost to 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was transmitted through a nine-speed automatic transmission to standard all-wheel drive. The Pathfinder's engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, and the automatic transmission was smooth and quiet. However, the new shifter design was considered distracting and potentially unsafe. The Pathfinder featured a rotary drive mode dial with various settings, including an off-road mode in the Rock Creek, enhancing its versatility. The Pathfinder's towing capacity was impressive, with the Rock Creek capable of towing up to 2,720 kilograms.

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, though 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. The Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder provided up to 2,279 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it offered 1,274 litres, and with all seats upright, 470 litres. The first two rows provided ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console. The Pathfinder boasted numerous cupholders and storage compartments, and the Rock Creek's roof racks were practical for carrying cargo. However, the roof rack's proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

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 graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with larger 9-inch screens on higher trims. The system was easy to use, with logical menu layouts and real buttons and dials. While some found the graphics dated, the system's usability was a priority. The Pathfinder included multiple USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims added features like wireless charging and additional USB ports, ensuring connectivity for all passengers.

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 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came with standard driver-assistance features like forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and ProPilot Assist. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking monitor, and a head-up display. The Pathfinder was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, while the NHTSA had not completed a full suite of crash tests for the 2023 model.