Chevrolet Equinox EV vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

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. However, the louvered dashboard top sometimes caused reflections, which could be unsettling. 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 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid debuted with a new look, offering a more cohesive design than its predecessor. It had a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at off-road potential. Inside, the Forester retained some of its previous flavour with a beveled dashboard centre section and a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured hard plastic but had soft-touch materials in contact areas. The front seats provided ample cushioning and support, while the hybrid's ventilation made them enjoyable on warmer days. The Forester Hybrid's design aimed for mass appeal, though some argued it lost some of its distinctiveness.

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

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder engine and a parallel hybrid system, producing 194 horsepower. It featured a standard all-wheel-drive system with a traditional driveshaft, providing better traction off-road. The hybrid powertrain offered adequate acceleration, though the transmission made it feel slower than it was. The ride quality was firmer than expected, but the Forester Hybrid excelled off-road with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control. It provided a desirable balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV's front seats offered 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. Cargo space was generous, with a 748-litre capacity, though there was no front trunk. Storage for personal items was adequate but not generous.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid provided an unimpeded forward view from the driver's seat, with ample space for various body types. The rear seats offered plenty of legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. Storage included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets. The Forester Hybrid had a 779-litre cargo capacity, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

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

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system had large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. The Forester Hybrid also featured an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, providing a superior audio experience.

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

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. It was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight suite of safety features, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The top-trim Forester Hybrid included additional features like a driver attention monitor and surround-view monitor.