2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq, by establishing itself as a standalone brand focused solely on electric vehicles. This new model showcased a futuristic design with its Parametric Pixel theme, reminiscent of retro video games, which was evident in its extensive use of LED lighting elements. The exterior design was a mix of minimalistic character lines and intricate details, creating a unique visual appeal. Inside, the Ioniq 5 offered a serene "Living Space" environment with sustainable materials and a focus on comfort, including a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat. The interior was designed to be both functional and eco-friendly, with recycled materials used throughout.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent subtle styling changes, including a new grille and LED lighting elements, giving it a slightly chunkier appearance. The Equinox maintained its car-based crossover identity, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Inside, the Equinox featured a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents, offering decent materials and fit and finish for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and a sportier interior with red stitching, although the overall design remained subdued. The Equinox's interior was practical, with a focus on functionality, but lacked the distinctive styling features seen in some rivals.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrain options, including rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The base model featured a 125-kW rear-mounted electric motor producing 168 horsepower and offering a range of 354 kilometres. The Preferred long-range variant boasted a larger 168-kW motor with 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, providing a range of 488 kilometres. The AWD version combined a 74-kW front motor with a 165-kW rear motor, delivering a total of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 414 kilometres. The Ioniq 5's performance was characterized by its smooth handling and four drive modes, including a Sport mode for added excitement. The vehicle's regenerative braking system, adjustable via paddle shifters, added an element of gamification to the driving experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox, on the other hand, was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). While the Equinox offered more torque than some rivals, it had less horsepower, which became apparent at higher speeds. The engine felt coarse and unresponsive during highway overtaking, and the automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough. The Equinox was not designed for sporty handling, but it provided decent comfort on various road surfaces.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which maximized interior space and utility. Despite its hatchback appearance, the Ioniq 5 had a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade, offering a spacious interior with a total volume of 3,786 litres. The vehicle prioritized passenger comfort over cargo space, with a moveable centre console and a flat floor design. The leatherette seats were comfortable and supportive, catering to a wide range of driver sizes.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, some competitors offered more legroom for front-seat occupants. The Equinox's tall seating position provided good forward visibility, although rear visibility was somewhat hampered by the small rear window. The interior featured a practical layout with clustered climate control buttons and knobs, and keyless entry and start were standard. The Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with the seats folded, which was near the bottom of the segment.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 impressed with its advanced technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in just 18 minutes, and could charge other devices or vehicles. The Ioniq 5 featured a redesigned Blue Link app, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, digital key, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating for improved visibility.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The MyLink infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless smartphone connectivity was a significant advantage, although the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) with standard features like lane keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and forward collision avoidance. It also included Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 offered a head-up display with augmented reality overlays, although it could be distracting. While crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record suggested high safety marks.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests, with 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 the Equinox 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, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.