Chevrolet Equinox vs Kia Telluride 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 distinguished itself from rivals that awkwardly blend car and SUV styling cues. 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 dialed up ruggedness with a prominent lower front fascia and all-terrain tires. 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 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold design that polarized opinions, particularly with its flat, faceless grille. The vehicle's personality shifted with colour and trim, with body-coloured vertical strakes that blended better in darker shades. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks, flanked by distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile featured angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, while the rear view adopted a Range Rover-like style with rounded corners and vertical taillights. Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout and a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim offered a luxurious two-tone palette, though the silver buttons and cream-coloured infotainment shortcuts were hard to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, provided firm cushions that could be uncomfortable on long drives.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in its standard front-wheel-drive setup. In Canada, all-wheel drive was optional on the LT trim and standard on Activ and RS trims, with AWD models offering 203 lb-ft of torque. The Equinox's engine provided adequate power, though drivers needed a heavy foot for overtaking. The eight-speed automatic transmission, while preferable to a CVT, sometimes hesitated to downshift. The Equinox's suspension, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and a four-link rear, offered a comfortable ride but lacked body control, leading to bouncing. Despite these issues, the Equinox excelled as a highway cruiser, aided by active noise cancellation, though the all-terrain tires on the Activ trim added noise and reduced grip.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powertrain, paired with a six-speed transmission, offered a smooth and quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The Telluride's standard engine, with 274 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, provided ample power for off-road excursions, particularly in the X-Pro model. Both Telluride versions prioritized comfort, with the X-Pro's off-road suspension surprisingly smooth and the Hybrid SX Prestige's 20-inch wheels offering a stiffer ride. The Telluride's suspension managed to absorb bumps effectively, and the vehicle remained composed on winding roads. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring adjustment, but the vehicle's braking response was immediate in panic stops.

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

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low-mounted seat cushions. The second row featured power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation, comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats offered significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride Hybrid reduced second-row legroom by four centimetres. Cargo capacity was generous, with 631 litres behind the third row and 1,379 litres with the seatbacks folded. The Telluride's maximum cargo capacity was 2,528 litres, with the hybrid models losing only about 30 litres. The Telluride could tow up to 2,268 kilograms, or 2,040 kilograms for the hybrid. Storage solutions included a large centre bin, deployable cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offered an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen, housed in a stylish curved design reminiscent of Audi cockpits. 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 was larger than some competitors, providing clear icons and text without dominating the cabin. While lacking options for a head-up display or premium audio system, the Equinox's tech offerings met the needs of average users.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate control touchscreen. The infotainment system included a native navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. The system was easy to use, though it required a firm tap and had occasional response delays. The climate control screen was difficult to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system with powerful bass and clear tones, while lower trims had an eight-speaker system.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with driver assistance features such as 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 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid's safety ratings were not available from NHTSA or IIHS at the time of writing. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride's driver attention monitor occasionally triggered at night, and the blind-spot cameras were more distracting than helpful. The highway driving assist was effective on long trips, maintaining lane centring and consistent speed.