Chevrolet Equinox EV vs Lexus TX

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV was Chevrolet's smallest all-electric SUV, closely resembling the Blazer EV in size and design. It featured a rounded and graceful exterior, with gently flared fenders and a horizontal light stripe that added a futuristic touch. The interior shared similarities with the Blazer EV, boasting beveled dual screens for instrumentation and infotainment. However, the louvered dashboard top sometimes caused unsettling reflections, particularly when driving toward the sun. Material quality was typical for a compact SUV, with hard plastic surfaces and lightly padded touchpoints, making the Equinox EV an attractive yet unremarkable choice in its class.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages, including the Luxury, Ultra Luxury, Executive, and F Sport 3 for the TX 350, and the F Sport Performance 2 and F Sport 3 for the 500h hybrid. The TX featured a large grille, sharp bi-LED headlights, and rear LED lighting. Interior options included three colour choices and ambient lighting, though material quality fell short of luxury standards. Redesigned door handles were a unique touch, but some might have preferred more attention to cabin detail. The TX's design was functional, with a focus on practicality and comfort.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV came with a single 220-horsepower electric motor and front-wheel drive, with an optional all-wheel-drive version offering a combined output of 300 hp. It featured an 85-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, providing an estimated range of up to 513 kilometres for the front-drive model. The AWD variant offered slightly less range, depending on the charger used. The Equinox EV's acceleration was quicker than its specs suggested, with the AWD model reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The ride quality was smooth, and the cabin was quieter than a gas-powered SUV, though some highway boominess was noted.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 featured a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid offered 366 hp. The gas model had an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. Both models came with all-wheel drive, with the TX 500h featuring Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Drive modes included Normal, Eco, and Sport, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h also offered adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV's front seats provided comfort with adequate padding and support, while the rear seats were flatter and firmer. The cabin featured touchscreen-operated controls, with physical knobs for climate settings. Storage was adequate, with a 748-litre cargo capacity. The Equinox EV lacked a front trunk, but a hands-free power liftgate was available.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. The second-row seats could be challenging to fold flat, but the front seats were roomy. The TX had excellent cargo space, with up to 2,747 litres available when all rear seats were folded. All models could tow up to 2,268 kilograms.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV featured a 17.7-inch touchscreen with 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. The six-speaker audio system was unimpressive, with no premium upgrade available.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen, but some features lacked polish. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues were noted. A subscription was required for in-dash navigation and other features. The TX offered a clear back-up camera, Advanced Park system, and multiple USB ports for device charging.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV received a five-star rating from the NHTSA, with standard safety features including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The Active Safety Package 2 added a surround-view camera system and other features, while the optional Active Safety Package 3 included Super Cruise for hands-free highway driving.

The 2026 Lexus TX came with Safety System+ 3.0, featuring forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, and Proactive Driving Assist. The NHTSA rated the TX five stars for crash safety, while the IIHS gave it mixed scores. Adaptive cruise control worked well, though setting it up was confusing.