Chevrolet Equinox vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox presented a robust SUV character with its broad fenders, squat roofline, and tall grille, complemented by high-mounted daytime running lights. Despite its car-like unibody, the Equinox successfully conveyed a distinct SUV feel, avoiding the clichés often seen in its segment. Available in LT, Activ, and RS trims, each offered unique styling features. The LT featured a chrome grille mesh and 17-inch wheels, while the RS boasted black trim, a wider grille, and 19-inch wheels. The Activ trim enhanced ruggedness with a prominent lower front fascia and all-terrain tires on 17-inch wheels. Inside, the Equinox's cabin, though primarily plastic, was well-assembled with thoughtful details like large air vents and a spear-like trim piece. The Activ model stood out with its Maple Sugar and black two-tone treatment and unique microfibre and Evotex seats.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, available in Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, integrated seamlessly into the Palisade lineup. The base Luxury trim came with 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille framed by LED projector headlights. The Palisade's profile featured body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities in the Luxury Hybrid. The rear view was equally striking, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name and LED taillights wrapping around the corners. Inside, the Palisade impressed with its organic design and thoughtful storage solutions. The base trims offered H-Tex synthetic leatherette upholstery and eight-way power adjustment for the driver's seat. Higher trims added features like Nappa leather upholstery and integrated driver's seat memory settings. The Palisade's interior craftsmanship surpassed that of other non-luxury crossovers, providing a richer feel.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox housed a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the standard front-wheel drive (FWD) setup. In Canada, FWD was exclusive to the base LT trim, while all-wheel drive (AWD) was optional on LT and standard on Activ and RS trims. AWD models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 203 lb-ft of torque. The turbo-four engine provided adequate power, though overtaking required a heavy foot. The eight-speed automatic transmission occasionally hesitated to downshift, but steering-wheel paddle shifters helped mitigate this issue. The Equinox's suspension, with MacPherson strut front and four-link rear, offered a comfortable ride but lacked body control, leading to bouncing. Despite these drawbacks, the Equinox excelled as a highway cruiser, aided by standard active noise cancellation.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid defied hybrid stereotypes with its impressive performance. It featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, producing a combined 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and next-generation hybrid system optimized power distribution, enhancing performance and fuel efficiency. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was remarkably quiet, thanks to noise-absorbing carpet and acoustic glass. The steering was sharp, offering a responsive feel, though the pedals felt slightly squishy. Overall, the Palisade Hybrid delivered a delightful driving experience, combining power, efficiency, and comfort.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offered competitive headroom and first-row legroom, though some rivals provided slightly more rear-seat legroom. The seats were supportive but under-cushioned. The Equinox Activ test car featured the Convenience Package III, adding a power-adjustable front passenger seat, ventilated front seats, a memory system, and heated outboard rear seats. The driver enjoyed an elevated perch, though forward visibility was somewhat limited by the flat hood and deep dashboard. The Equinox provided ample storage space, including an angled wireless phone charger and a spacious centre console storage bin. Cargo capacity measured 844 litres behind the rear seats and 1,798 litres with the rear bench folded, trailing segment leaders. The maximum towing capacity for AWD models was 680 kilograms.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others. The battery's position under the front passenger seat slightly reduced second-row legroom, but it remained competitive. The third row offered less legroom and headroom compared to some rivals. The Palisade's cabin was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control, second-row HVAC controls, and multiple USB-C power outlets. The Palisade Hybrid came standard with a second-row bench seat, with captain's chairs available on higher trims. The interior featured numerous storage solutions, including a rubberized cargo space in the centre console and a small shelf ahead of the front passenger seat.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offered an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen, housed in a stylish curved design. The Android-based infotainment system included Google built-in apps, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with easy-to-identify icons and a shallow menu structure. Physical knobs and buttons controlled climate and seat functions, though the headlight switch was a touchscreen icon. The Equinox's screen size provided clear icons and text without dominating the cabin. While lacking options for a head-up display or advanced audio system, the Equinox covered essential tech features for the average user.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a matching digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system supported HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The standard Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows. Most trims included a 14-speaker Bose stereo, and a 15-watt wireless charging pad was standard. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim offered a built-in dashcam, recording front and rear views. The Palisade Hybrid introduced "Stay Mode," allowing climate control and infotainment use while the gas engine was off, provided the hybrid battery had sufficient charge.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring. GM-specific features included a vibrating driver's seat for warnings and the Teen Driver system. The Safety and Technology Package added a surround-view camera system, digital rear-view mirror, and traffic sign recognition. The Equinox received mixed safety ratings from the IIHS, with top Good ratings in some tests and lower Acceptable ratings in others. NHTSA ratings were unavailable at the time of writing.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. The Palisade's ADAS tech performed reliably during testing. At the time of writing, crash-test ratings for the 2026 Palisade were unavailable, but the 2025 model received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.