Chevrolet Equinox EV vs Hyundai Ioniq 9

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV was Chevrolet's smallest all-electric SUV, only slightly shorter than the Blazer EV. It featured a rounded and graceful design, with gently flared fenders and a horizontal light stripe that gave it a futuristic look. The interior shared similarities with the Blazer EV, boasting beveled dual screens for instrumentation and infotainment. While outward visibility was generally good, the louvered dashboard top could cause unsettling reflections. Material quality was typical for a compact SUV, with hard plastic surfaces and lightly padded touchpoints. Overall, the Equinox EV was an attractive choice in its class, though it didn't stand out significantly.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had a distinctive design that divided opinions. Inspired by smooth pebbles and midcentury modern sofas, it aimed for an aerodynamic shape to house seven passengers comfortably. Measuring 5,060 millimetres in length with a 3,130 mm wheelbase, it offered impressive interior volume. Despite its size, it achieved a 0.27 drag coefficient. The design featured a swooping roofline and a stubby rear end, with LED taillights wrapping around the tail. Available in seven paint colours, the Ioniq 9 offered various trim-specific options. Inside, it was spacious and airy, with flat floors and a sliding centre console. The interior featured high-quality plastic and leatherette upholstery, though the seats lacked thigh support.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV came with a single 220-horsepower electric motor and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive system adding a second motor for a combined 300 hp. It used an 85-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, offering up to 513 kilometres of range for the front-drive model. The AWD variant had a slightly reduced range. The Equinox EV featured a standard 11.5 kW AC charger, with a 19.2-kW upgrade available. DC fast charging was included, with a maximum rate of 150 kW. The front-drive model reached 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, while the AWD variant did so in 6.0 seconds. The ride quality was smooth, and the cabin was quieter than a gas-powered SUV, though there was some highway boominess.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 featured a 110.3-kWh battery pack on the e-GMP platform. The base Essential trim had a single 160-kW motor with 215 horsepower, while other trims had dual-motor AWD systems with varying power outputs. The Preferred AWD made 303 hp, and the Preferred AWD+ generated 422 hp. The Ioniq 9 offered impressive energy efficiency, often exceeding its 500-kilometre range estimate. It had a smooth and pillowy ride, though it wasn't a great corner carver. The Ioniq 9 was quiet, with active noise cancellation and sound-absorbing tires. It had a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds for AWD models. Charging options included NACS superchargers and CCS-port Level 3 chargers, with fast charging times.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV's front seats provided comfort with adequate padding and support. Most features were operated through touchscreen menus, but climate controls had physical knobs and buttons. The rear seats were flatter and firmer, with limited thigh support but ample legroom. Storage was adequate, with small trays and cupholders. Cargo space was generous, with a 748-litre capacity. A hands-free power liftgate was optional, but there was no front trunk.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 focused on family-SUV practicality, seating seven with a middle-row bench seat. The Preferred AWD+ with the Ultimate Calligraphy Package offered ventilated captain's chairs and a sliding centre console. The middle row had 1,086 millimetres of legroom, while the third row had 813 mm. The Ioniq 9 featured dual-zone climate control, a heat pump, and heated front seats. Cargo space was ample, with 620 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,462 litres with seats folded. The small front trunk was best for storing the charging cable.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV's infotainment system featured a large 17.7-inch touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. It was powered by Google Built-in, offering map, traffic, and productivity features. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, which could be a deal-breaker for some. A wireless charging pad was available, but the six-speaker audio system was unimpressive.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had dual curved 12.3-inch displays for its infotainment system, similar to other Hyundai models. It supported wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with a wireless charging pad included. The Ioniq 9 featured six USB-C ports for charging devices. The 14-speaker Bose audio system provided crisp sound quality, impressing with its balanced tones.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV received a full five-star rating from the NHTSA in crash tests. It came with advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. The Active Safety Package 2 added a surround-view camera system and other features, while the optional Active Safety Package 3 included a semi-automated parking system and Super Cruise.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It included advanced driver assistance systems as standard, such as collision avoidance, lane-guidance technologies, and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Preferred AWD's Luxury package and Preferred AWD+ versions offered a surround-view monitor and blind-spot view monitor.