2023 Toyota Venza 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 didn't adopt the rugged styling of some competitors, the Equinox's tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia offered a balance between car-like and SUV-like aesthetics. 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 its price range. 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 Toyota Venza, on the other hand, presented a sleek and sculpted design, more akin to a Lexus than a typical midsize crossover SUV. Its contoured body and tapering rear roofline gave it a unique and elegant appearance, avoiding the awkward bulges seen in other Toyota SUVs. Inside, the Venza borrowed elements from the RAV4 but elevated the cabin with nicer materials and details, approaching Lexus's level of luxury. The dashboard and centre stack were similar to the RAV4, but the Venza featured better-integrated climate controls and more soft-touch surfaces. Overall, the Venza was praised for its attractive styling, both inside and out, standing out as one of the best-looking vehicles in Toyota's lineup.

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 either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. While it had more torque than most rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The Equinox's torque was appreciated in city driving, but at higher speeds, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive. The automatic transmission's shifts were also a bit rough. Despite its RS trim, the Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. It used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and had a standard all-wheel-drive system. The Venza's electric motors provided immediate acceleration, with the gasoline engine seamlessly blending in for more power. It reached 100 km/h in just over 7.5 seconds, a respectable time for its class. The Venza prioritized ride comfort over sporty handling, with light steering effort and adequate handling. Its ride quality was smoother than the RAV4 Hybrid's but not as plush as a Lexus.

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, though rear visibility was hampered by a small rear window. It offered 847 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded, near the bottom of the segment.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats provided ample space for taller occupants, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats were spacious, with abundant legroom and foot room. However, headroom was limited. The Venza offered 816 litres of cargo space, less than some competitors, and wasn't rated for towing. It excelled in holding smaller personal items, with a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and a deep centre armrest bin.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. 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.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim had an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system delivered sharp graphics and quick responses. The Venza XLE and Limited trims included a one-year trial of Drive Connect services, and the top trims had a nine-speaker JBL audio system.

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 and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2023 Toyota Venza scored five stars in NHTSA's overall and side crash protection tests and four stars in frontal and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded it "Good" scores across the board, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the new side impact test. It was named a Top Safety Pick. The Venza came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Higher trims added parking sensors, a surround-view camera, and a head-up display.