2022 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, built on a new platform, was offered in North America as a long-wheelbase model with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front showcased Hyundai's new design language, featuring a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The unique lighting design resembled the wings of the Aztec Spirit Bird. The Tucson's side profile borrowed styling cues from the Hyundai Elantra, with a silver D-pillar creating a floating roof effect. At the rear, LED-illuminated toothy taillights added a distinctive touch. Depending on the trim, the Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, offering stain-resistant cloth seats, sport combination seats, or leather-trimmed options, with a spacious and uncluttered dashboard design.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received styling updates, including a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia changes. The headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, giving it a sleeker appearance. The Equinox maintained a car-based crossover look, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. Its tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia made it less car-like than some rivals. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a touchscreen and large air vents at the centre. The materials and fit and finish were decent for its price range. The new RS model added black exterior trim, darkened 19-inch wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, though the interior felt subdued. Overall, the Equinox's design was coherent, but it lacked distinctive styling features compared to the Tucson.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and an electric motor. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hybrid delivered 226 combined horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, making it more powerful and enjoyable to drive. The Tucson Hybrid was notably more efficient, with fuel consumption ratings of 6.3 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 combined. The upcoming plug-in hybrid promised even more power with 261 horsepower and 224 lb-ft of torque. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road testing, providing stability and control.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a single powertrain: a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. While the Equinox had more torque than many rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine performed well in city driving, with peak torque available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. However, at higher speeds, the engine felt coarse and unresponsive, and the transmission's shifts were rough. The Equinox wasn't designed for sporty handling, lacking the refinement of some competitors. Despite this, it offered decent comfort on rough roads.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson provided a spacious and well-appointed interior, competing with top sellers like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats as options. The Tucson's new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with 1,095 litres of cargo capacity. The rear seats offered ample legroom, and the cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was 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 windows. The climate control buttons were awkwardly placed but easily accessible. Cargo space was limited, with 847 litres with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked some storage features found in competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a fully digital instrument cluster. The touchpoints on the centre console were responsive, though their flat design made them challenging to use without taking eyes off the road. Steering wheel controls and voice commands were essential for ease of use.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a 4G LTE 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 graphics. The addition of wireless connectivity was a significant advantage, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small. Overall, the system was functional and straightforward.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA. It offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor. Additional features like blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system were available. Hyundai provided a 5-year/100,000-kilometre limited warranty.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests but had a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane keep assist. Optional features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system were available, though some competitors offered these as standard.