2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Chevrolet Equinox

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 that made the grille appear smaller, a refreshing change in an industry dominated by aggressive front fascias. 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.

Inside, the Equinox's design shared a language with the larger Chevrolet Traverse, featuring a thick C-pillar and large windows that gave an impression of spaciousness. The Premier trim's interior was highlighted by two-tone leather upholstery, with heated front seats standard across all trims in Canada. While the interior looked somewhat dated with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, it was practical and user-friendly. The PRNDL shift lever, though taking up more space, was simple to use, and the Confidence and Convenience II package added desirable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and an HD surround-view camera.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner, on the other hand, was a throwback to an earlier era, with its design last updated in 2010. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a stable, rugged appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model featured underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires, enhancing its serious off-road attitude. Despite its age, the 4Runner's interior was functional, with large climate-control dials and sturdy handles for off-road excursions. Visibility was excellent, thanks to the forward-positioned roof pillars, although the steering wheel's limited telescoping range might have been a drawback for taller drivers.

The 4Runner's interior space was generous, with ample legroom in the second row, though headroom was limited for taller passengers. The third row was available on select trims, and the cargo area offered up to 2,540 litres of space with the rear seats stowed. However, the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were notable omissions. The sliding glass rear window and party speakers in the hatch were unique features, and the 4Runner's towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms made it suitable for small campers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While it handled low-speed acceleration well, it struggled to accelerate quickly above 50 km/h. The six-speed automatic transmission, though older, contributed to the Equinox's powertrain noise, as it held gears longer than newer transmissions. The AWD system required manual engagement, but the electronically assisted brake-by-wire system and well-sorted suspension provided a smooth driving experience.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Its five-speed automatic transmission was less responsive than the ten-speed in the Bronco or the eight-speed in the Wrangler. The TRD Pro model came with 4WD and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. However, on pavement, the 4Runner felt slow, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration. The soft suspension, while beneficial off-road, resulted in body roll and floatiness on highways. Despite these drawbacks, the 4Runner remained composed under hard braking.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,809 litres with the seats folded. While not the largest in its class, it provided ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom for taller occupants. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, and the Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate. A panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior, though dated, was functional, with easy-to-use controls and excellent visibility. The second row offered ample legroom, but headroom was limited for taller passengers. The cargo area provided up to 2,540 litres of space with the rear seats stowed, though the lack of remote seat releases was inconvenient. The sliding glass rear window and party speakers were unique features, and the 4Runner's towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms made it suitable for small campers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and an 8-inch screen on the Premier. While not as flashy as competitors, it was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, while a Bose audio system was optional on higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small 8-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though road noise often obscured the sound quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox came with a suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and lane-keeping assistance. However, it lacked level two autonomous driving technology. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, but the IIHS gave it lower ratings in some crash tests.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four stars from the NHTSA for overall protection and a "Good" rating from the IIHS for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning, though some alerts were oversensitive.