2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, aligning its appearance with the larger Chevrolet Traverse. The modernized look featured a flat roof, upright grille, and distinctive “shark fin” C-pillar, making it more akin to the Suburban and Silverado. Each trim level offered unique exterior styling, with the base LT featuring chrome or an optional Midnight Edition high gloss black treatment. The RS trim sported black mirrors, badges, and red RS emblems, while the new Activ trim showcased dark chrome and all-terrain tires. The interior saw substantial updates, with a new layout that removed the traditional cowl and relocated the shifter to the steering column, creating a more open centre console. The RS and Activ trims offered distinct interior themes, with the RS featuring red highlights and contrast stitching, and the Activ trim introducing a “Maple Sugar and Black” theme that brightened the cabin.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the Execline trim offering a sporty appearance and the most standard equipment. The Atlas Execline, tested in Mountain Lake Blue, boasted polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and 21-inch wheels, giving it a chiseled and upscale look. Inside, the Atlas featured diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood, creating a warm and inviting environment. The digital instrumentation and large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience, although the touch-sensitive controls for temperature and stereo volume were less satisfying to use. Despite these minor drawbacks, the Atlas maintained a refined and muscular appearance, with its Mountain Lake Blue colour effectively concealing dirt and debris.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox retained its 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. The base LT FWD model came with a CVT, while AWD versions featured an eight-speed automatic transmission. The eight-speed was an improvement over the previous six-speed, offering quicker gear changes and reduced noise. The Equinox's accelerator was responsive at low speeds, but the engine's limitations became apparent during highway merges. The ride was generally quiet and comfortable, with AWD models capable of towing up to 680 kilograms. Selectable drive modes, including Normal, Snow, and Off-Road, were available on RS and Activ trims.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas replaced its previous engine options with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 269 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and VW’s 4Motion AWD system, the engine offered a refined driving experience. The Atlas's engine was more refined than those in some competitors, and its generous torque curve provided satisfying performance for daily driving. However, the ride quality was less impressive, with the suspension feeling brittle over road imperfections and excessive body motions at highway speeds. Despite these issues, the Atlas handled predictably on mountain roads, with responsive brakes and steering.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel in Canada. Ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and driver’s seat memory were available in a package for RS and Activ trims. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, with the moonroof adding light to the rear seats. The cabin featured a well-placed “dead pedal” for driver comfort. Cargo space was slightly reduced, with 844 litres behind the rear seats and 1,798 litres with them folded down, along with a hidden storage compartment.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, offering a spacious and comfortable interior. The Execline model featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, with excellent outward visibility. The second-row bench seat accommodated three adults comfortably, with ample legroom and a panoramic sunroof overhead. Access to the third-row seat was outstanding, with generous clearance and adequate leg support. The Atlas provided 583 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,571 litres with the third row folded and 2,735 litres with the second row down. Storage space was commendable throughout the cabin, with practical and well-finished compartments.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration projected onto the driver information display, allowing for simultaneous infotainment activity. However, the voice control system had issues with volume settings. The Equinox featured an 11.3-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and a six-speaker audio system, with wireless charging standard on RS and Activ trims.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used VW Group’s MIB3 operating system, accessible through a 12-inch touchscreen display. While wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the lack of traditional controls and a reliable native voice assistant made the system less user-friendly. The MIB3 system had glitches, such as incorrect song titles on SiriusXM and a confusing navigation interface. However, the Atlas Execline’s Harman Kardon audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered a Safety & Technology package, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. Standard safety features included rear park assist, side blind-zone alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and Teen Driver Technology, which allowed parents to monitor and control certain aspects of the vehicle’s operation.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured standard IQ.Drive driver assistance systems, including Front Assist, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. These systems provided forward collision warning, pedestrian warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and semi-automated driving assistance. The Atlas also came with an eight-year subscription to Car-Net Safe & Secure services, offering crash notification, SOS emergency assistance, and anti-theft alerts. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS “Top Safety Pick.”