2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift that gave it a more aggressive appearance. It featured a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, simulating large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, oversized fog light housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model contributed to its bold look. While some might find these changes appealing, others might prefer a darker paint colour to tone down the design's excesses. The Outback Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, offered a more cohesive look with the audacious cladding. The Limited trim, with its Cosmic Blue paint and Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, provided an upscale and cohesive interior, despite some hard plastic elements. The only downside was the tendency of the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim to collect dust and smudges.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as flashy as some competitors, maintained an attractive and restrained design. Its chunky front end made the grille appear smaller, offering a refreshing change from the aggressive front fascias common in the industry. The Equinox's design was complemented by new paint options, including Radiant Red Tintcoat, 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 and standard on the RS and Premier. The Equinox's interior, though not as modern as some rivals, was practical and approachable, with a simple PRNDL shift lever and ample storage space. The Premier trim featured two-tone leather upholstery and a nearly silent power liftgate, adding to its appeal.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was powered by horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard 2.5-litre engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, but it struggled with passing and climbing power. The Outback's towing capacity was 1,225 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was below expectations, with a combined rating of 9.2 L/100 km. The turbocharged XT models offered a more satisfying 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, though they were less fuel-efficient. All Outback models featured a CVT that mimicked an eight-speed automatic transmission and came with a standard AWD system. The Outback excelled off-road, thanks to its X-Mode traction system and generous ground clearance. However, the standard engine lacked urgency, especially at higher speeds and elevations. The Outback's suspension provided a comfortable ride, and its handling was commendable, though not sporty.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox was equipped with 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 at higher speeds. The Equinox's six-speed automatic transmission held gears longer, contributing to its noisy powertrain. AWD was available but required manual activation. The Equinox's braking system was upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, providing smooth and predictable braking. The suspension handled bumps and potholes well, and the steering was tight and accurate, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable heated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback provided ample passenger space, with easy entry and exit due to its high ground clearance. Cargo space was generous, with 923 litres behind the rear seats and 2,141 litres with the seats folded down. The roof rack was robust, ready for accessories, though more practical storage space inside the cabin would be beneficial.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 847 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,809 litres with the seats folded down. Passenger space was ample, with good headroom and legroom. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with plenty of storage options for smaller items. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate, and a panoramic sunroof was available on all trims except the base LS.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, except for the Base trim, which had a 7-inch screen. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the graphics and voice recognition were lacking. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera. However, a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology was simple yet effective. The 8-inch touchscreen was easy to use, with good voice recognition and customizable icons. All trims included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premier trim featured a wireless charging pad, and a Bose audio system was an option on the RS and Premier trims.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems felt artificial and intrusive.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. It received a five-star rating from the NHTSA but scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and side-impact crash test. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on all trims except Premier.