2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as futuristic as some of its competitors, presented itself as an attractive crossover with a restrained bodywork and a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. This design choice was a refreshing change in an industry dominated by aggressive front fascias. The gold Bowtie emblem, though 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 trims. The interior of the Equinox, particularly in the Premier trim, featured handsome two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats across all trims in Canada. Despite its somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and basic driver-information display, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and spacious cupholders. The optional Confidence and Convenience II package added desirable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and an HD surround-view camera.

The 2024 Volvo XC90, available in B6 and Recharge T8 model series, offered a sophisticated and practical design with a subdued and earthy exterior paint palette. The XC90's interior, though dated, was fitted with rich materials, especially in the Ultimate trim, which included options like wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather. The Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim added a touch of class. Volvo provided a range of appealing wheel designs up to 21 inches in diameter, with most versions featuring a Bright theme that contrasted with the blacked-out trend. The XC90's interior allowed for customization, enabling buyers to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery to suit their preferences. The Recharge T8 model, in particular, came with a Lounge Package, active air suspension, and a high-end Bowers & Wilkins audio system, enhancing the luxury experience.

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 slight increase in horsepower from the previous model year, the Equinox's performance was not particularly sprightly, especially at speeds above 50 km/h. The six-speed automatic transmission, while older compared to the eight- or nine-speed transmissions in competitors, contributed to the Equinox's powertrain noise. The AWD system required manual engagement, but the Equinox's braking and suspension systems were well-engineered, providing a smooth and predictable driving experience.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor, delivering a total of 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The XC90 offered 53 kilometres of electric-only range and averaged 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres in hybrid mode. The SUV featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, and Hybrid, allowing for a versatile driving experience. Despite its impressive power, the XC90 was not a performance SUV, with handling that was more suited to luxury than sportiness. The ride quality was firm, and the cabin was not as quiet as expected for a luxury SUV. The XC90's steering was not particularly sharp or communicative, but the SUV's overall performance was satisfactory for a luxury vehicle.

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

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8, even in the Core trim, was well-equipped with features like power-adjustable and heated front seats, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light to the interior, and higher trims offered additional features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90's seating configuration allowed for seven passengers, with a comfortable bench seat in the second row and adequate third-row space. Cargo capacity was 1,854 litres with the third row folded, expanding to 2,426 litres with the second row down.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a simple yet effective infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and an 8-inch screen in the Premier trim. The system was easy to use, with good voice recognition and customizable icons for quick access to features. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard, while a Bose audio system was optional on higher trims.

The 2024 Volvo XC90's 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system used Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The XC90 offered a choice between a 14-speaker Harman Kardon system and a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins system. The infotainment system was intuitive, with a digital voice assistant and a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel. A head-up display and surround-view camera were available options.

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 and received mixed crash-test ratings, with a Poor rating in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was known for its safety, with a five-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS in 2023. While the XC90's ADAS features were not particularly innovative, it included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centring assist. However, Pilot Assist had some limitations, such as struggling with curves and issuing inaccurate lane-departure warnings.