2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was a minivan that catered to families with its practical design and thoughtful features. Its sliding side doors were a boon for parents, making it easier to load children into car seats without the hassle of narrow SUV doors. The Odyssey also offered a comfortable third-row seat, accommodating additional passengers like grandparents or carpool buddies with ease. Its cargo space was unmatched, providing ample room for gear and groceries, and when the seats were folded down, it rivaled the capacity of a Chevrolet Suburban. Despite the minivan stigma, the Odyssey managed to maintain a sense of style with its kinked sliding doors and sleek character lines, especially in the Touring trim with its dark grey 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, albeit with a more restrained design compared to its competitors. Its chunky front end and smaller grille offered a refreshing change from the aggressive fascias common in the industry. The Equinox came in four trims, with the Premier trim showcasing two-tone leather upholstery and heated front seats. While the interior appeared somewhat dated with its small touchscreen and plastic buttons, it remained practical and user-friendly. The Equinox's six-speed automatic transmission and 1.5-litre turbocharged engine provided adequate performance for city driving, though it struggled at higher speeds. The AWD system required manual engagement, but the new brake-by-wire system improved braking performance.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. It featured a front-wheel-drive system paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. While it lacked the hybrid options of its competitors, the Odyssey offered a Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption estimate of 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. During testing, it averaged 10.4 L/100 km. The Odyssey's driving dynamics were enjoyable, with responsive handling and quick acceleration, but its brakes tended to overheat on downhill grades, leading to pedal vibration and noise.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, on the other hand, was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Despite a slight power increase for 2023, the Equinox's acceleration was lacklustre, especially at higher speeds. It took about eight seconds to reach highway speeds, accompanied by noticeable engine noise. The six-speed automatic transmission held gears longer, contributing to the powertrain's noise. The Equinox offered AWD, but it required manual activation. The new brake-by-wire system improved braking performance, and the suspension handled bumps well, providing a comfortable ride.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey offered easy access with wide-opening doors and a lower ride height. Inside, the Touring trim featured quality leather, power-adjustable front seats, and a tri-zone climate control system. Storage was abundant, with clever compartments throughout the cabin. The second-row Magic Slide seats allowed for flexible configurations, enhancing passenger comfort and safety. The third-row seat was spacious, accommodating adults comfortably. The Odyssey boasted 929 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 2,452 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 3,984 litres with the second row removed.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as spacious as some competitors, offered 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,809 litres with the seats folded. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom for taller occupants. The interior featured higher-quality plastics and practical storage solutions, including cup holders for all passengers. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof was available as an option.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey Touring was equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering satellite radio, Bluetooth, and smartphone connectivity. However, its infotainment features were becoming outdated compared to rivals. The Touring trim included CabinWatch and CabinTalk technologies, enhancing communication with rear passengers. The rear entertainment system featured a 10.2-inch display, but it lacked modern streaming capabilities. The Odyssey's navigation system was less intuitive than smartphone alternatives, and the overall technology package needed an upgrade.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective infotainment system. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, and the driver-information display offered useful features. While not as flashy as some competitors, the Equinox's technology was practical and user-friendly.

The 2022 Honda Odyssey came equipped with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system lacked refinement, occasionally issuing false warnings or responding abruptly. The Odyssey earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered standard safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keeping assistance. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on most trims. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in some IIHS crash tests, highlighting areas for improvement in safety performance.