2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox presented itself as an attractive crossover, even if it didn't boast the futuristic design of a Kia Sportage or the rugged appearance of a Toyota RAV4. Its restrained bodywork was complemented by a chunky front end, which made the grille appear smaller and more refined compared to the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The gold Bowtie emblem, while a bit garish against certain paint colours like Radiant Red Tintcoat, looked appealing on others such as Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic. The Equinox was available in four trim levels: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, with AWD as an option on the LS and LT trims in Canada, and standard on the RS and Premier.

The Equinox's design language shared similarities with the larger Chevrolet Traverse, particularly in its thick C-pillar and big windows, which contributed to a sense of spaciousness. Inside, the Premier trim featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats across all trims in Canada. While the interior appeared somewhat dated with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, it remained practical and user-friendly. The PRNDL shift lever was a refreshing change from the increasingly common dial- and button shifters, and the Confidence and Convenience II package added desirable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign, emerging with a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its upright grille and boxier styling not only made it look larger but also contributed to its increased dimensions compared to the previous generation. The TrailSport model, in particular, gained legitimate off-road parts, including a taller ride height, unique wheels, all-terrain tires, and underbody skid plates. The interior took a more conventional styling route, remaining attractive and functional, with materials quality meeting elevated class standards. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada, and the Pilot emphasized function over form without sacrificing appeal.

The new Pilot's design was tidy and utilitarian, with a focus on practicality. It offered a comfortable and versatile interior, with clever storage solutions and convenience features. The stowable second-row centre seat provided a useful pass-through for third-row passengers, and the cargo area was spacious, with a maximum capacity of 3,219 litres. The Pilot's power tailgate was standard, becoming hands-free on higher trims, and the overall design smartly balanced utility and attraction.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. Despite the additional five horsepower for the 2023 model year, the Equinox didn't feel particularly spritely, especially above 50 km/h. It managed to reach highway speeds in about eight seconds, but the process was noisy. The six-speed automatic transmission, while older, contributed to the powertrain's cacophony by holding gears longer than newer transmissions. The Equinox offered AWD across all trims, but it required manual engagement via a button on the centre console. The new brake-by-wire system improved braking performance, and the suspension handled bumps well, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Honda Pilot featured an all-new 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Honda's i-VTM4 AWD system was standard in Canada. The Pilot's acceleration was quick, with a pleasant engine hum, and the brake pedal was soft yet easy to modulate. While the Pilot cornered well for a three-row SUV, it was tuned for comfort rather than performance, with noticeable body roll but no alarming rebounds. The steering was light, making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, though it felt somewhat vague on the highway. The TrailSport model offered increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities without sacrificing on-road comfort. The Pilot's towing capacity reached up to 2,268 kg.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered a cargo area of 847 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,809 litres with the seats folded down. While it outstripped some competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester, it fell short of others like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with plenty of storage options, including cup holders for every passenger. The Premier trim's power liftgate operated nearly silently, and a panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's interior was more conventional, with a handy dash shelf for the front passenger. The entry-level Sport trim featured a seven-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims upgraded to a nine-inch display. The Touring trim, equivalent to our test unit, offered a touchscreen that seemed small for the available space but was adequate. The Pilot's interior featured logically placed controls, a large rubberized shelf for phones, and a wireless charging pad. The stowable second-row centre seat provided a useful pass-through for third-row passengers, and the cargo area offered up to 3,219 litres of space. The power tailgate was standard, becoming hands-free on higher trims.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology offering included a small touchscreen interface, with a seven-inch display on the LS, LT, and RS trims, and an eight-inch display on the Premier. While not as flashy as some competitors, the system was crisp, clear, and easy to use. The infotainment system responded quickly, with good voice recognition and customizable icons for quick access to features. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, and all trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. A Bose seven-speaker audio system was an extra-cost option on the RS and Premier trims.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's technology package was more advanced, with the EX-L trim and higher offering a larger touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless phone charger. The Touring trim added USB ports in every row, a multi-view camera system, head-up display, and fully digital instrument panel. The infotainment system was functional, with quick responses and a logical layout. Honda's CabinTalk feature acted as an interior PA system, and the Touring trim included a navigation system, Bose premium audio, and remote monitor.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with a suite of standard safety assist and advanced driver assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were extra-cost options on all trims except Premier. The Equinox received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in IIHS crash tests, with a Poor rating in the moderate overlap front crash test and a Marginal score in the side-impact crash test.

The 2023 Honda Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the highest available. Standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control, and a driver attention monitor. The EX-L and higher trims added front and rear parking sensors, while the Touring trim included surround-view and multi-view camera systems. The advanced safety features functioned well, with no false alarms, and the adaptive cruise control maintained a smooth gap to the vehicle in front.