2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV initially appeared similar to its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart, sharing features like rounded wheel wells and a flat beltline. However, upon closer inspection, the EV version revealed more decisive lines, a thicker body-coloured C-pillar, and a sleeker grille. The front fascia was more body-coloured, and the rear design was more defined, featuring hexagonal shapes and a light bar echoing the front. Standard 19-inch aluminum wheels adorned the 2LT trim, while other trims boasted 21-inch versions. The Equinox EV offered vibrant colour options like "Red Hot" and "Riptide Blue Metallic," which added a youthful flair. Two-tone paint jobs were available, with options for a white or black roof depending on the trim. Interior colour choices expanded with higher trims, offering combinations like black with blue accents or Sky Cool Grey, and sportier options like Adrenaline Red.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, in contrast, presented a rugged and utilitarian design, rooted in its military vehicle heritage. The black-on-black-on-black colour scheme of the rental model was less than ideal for a tropical climate, but the vehicle's design allowed for open-air driving with removable overhead panels and liftglass. The Wrangler was available in various trims, including Sport, Sport S, Willys, Sahara, Rubicon, and Rubicon X, with the Rubicon 392 discontinued in Canada after 2024. The Wrangler's interior was functional, with a focus on durability and practicality. Despite its high sticker price, the interior featured grey fabric dashboard trim, metallic accents, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Wrangler's design emphasized its capability to tackle diverse terrains, making it a popular choice despite its lack of sophistication compared to newer vehicles.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a hands-free start, a common feature in modern EVs, allowing drivers to simply get in and go. It offered one-pedal driving across all trims, managed through a regenerative braking setting or drive modes like Tour, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode. The single-motor, front-wheel-drive variant delivered 213 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, while the all-wheel-drive version boasted a dual-motor powertrain with 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Equinox EV could tow up to 680 kilograms when properly equipped. It offered impressive range estimates, with 513 kilometres for FWD models and 494 km for AWD, thanks to its 85-kilowatt-hour battery. The vehicle supported DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, regaining about 125 kilometres of range in 10 minutes, and Level 2 charging at 11.5 kW, adding up to 55 km of range per hour.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered a choice between a 3.6-litre V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The latter produced 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, offering a lively performance, especially at higher elevations. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it capable of tackling various terrains. However, its ride was rough, with a steady stream of jiggles and jolts, and the steering felt disconnected. The Wrangler's fuel economy was less impressive, with an average of 12.3 L/100 km during testing. Despite its rugged capabilities, the Wrangler received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, highlighting the need for caution when driving laterally across slopes.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV offered a range of interior features, with higher trims providing heated front seats, steering wheel, and outside mirrors. The 2LT trim added an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and an optional panoramic moonroof, while the 3LT trim included front-seat ventilation and heated rear seats. The Equinox EV provided 994 mm of headroom in the front and 978 mm in the second row, with 1,058 mm of front legroom. It offered 748 litres of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 1,620 litres with the second row folded down. Roof rails were standard on all but the base trim.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. The Sport S trim featured comfortable front seats with cloth upholstery, and the Convenience Group option added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Wrangler's rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks on the front seatback panels. Storage space was limited, with small items often ending up in cupholders. The Wrangler's cargo space was reasonable, with 897 litres in the four-door model, expanding to 2,050 litres with the back seat folded down. However, accessing the cargo area was cumbersome due to the tailgate and rear window design.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a driver-oriented cockpit with a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen and an 11-inch driver-information screen. Google Built-In was standard, providing Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store. An eight-year OnStar Remote Access Plan subscription was included, offering navigation, route planning, and battery pre-conditioning through the MyChevrolet app.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's Uconnect 5 infotainment system included a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio preparation. The Sport S trim offered a standard eight-speaker stereo, with a nine-speaker Alpine premium sound system as an option. The Wrangler provided off-road navigation capabilities through Jeep Connect, with adventure guides and GPS trail logs. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display between the analog gauges, passive entry, and a remote engine starting system.

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV came standard with Chevy Safety Assist, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, forward collision alert, and more. Additional features included rear park assist, reverse automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. GM's Teen Driver Technology allowed parents to set speed alerts and produce an in-vehicle report card. Super Cruise, a hands-free highway-driving assist system, was available starting with the 2LT trim.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler introduced side curtain airbags as standard equipment for the front and rear seats. Advanced driver assistance systems were optional, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert available on most trims. Forward collision warning with automatic braking was limited to the Wrangler Sahara. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA. The IIHS rated the Wrangler as Good for side-impact protection and moderate overlap frontal-impact tests, but Marginal for the small overlap frontal-impact test.