Chevrolet Equinox vs Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign that introduced a more conventional look, losing some of its previous distinctiveness. Its blockier shape and cohesive styling gave it a visual heft reminiscent of a smaller Ford Explorer. Despite this, the Forester maintained a rugged appearance with black plastic elements hinting at its off-road capabilities. Inside, the Forester Hybrid featured a beveled dashboard centre section with a large vertical infotainment touchscreen, adding modernity alongside a digital instrument panel exclusive to the Hybrid model. While hard plastics were prevalent, soft-touch materials covered frequently touched areas, and the front seats offered ample cushioning and support. The hybrid model also included heated outboard rear seats, enhancing comfort.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox showcased a successful blend of SUV character with its broad fenders, squat roofline, and tall grille. Available in LT, Activ, and RS trims, each offered unique styling features, such as chrome grille mesh and varying wheel sizes. Inside, the Equinox's cabin was well-assembled, with neat details like large air vents and a spear-like trim piece. The Activ model featured microfibre and Evotex seats, while the RS trim boasted Evotex upholstery with red stitching. Despite mostly plastic surfaces, the cabin felt more than basic, and the Equinox provided a spacious interior with supportive seats, although they were slightly under-cushioned.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally opposed flat four-cylinder engine, combined with a parallel hybrid system featuring two motor/generators and a 1.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced 194 horsepower, surpassing the standard Forester's 180 hp. The hybrid system included an all-wheel drive (AWD) system with a traditional driveshaft, offering better traction and consistent reactions off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower due to the engine's monotone groan at higher speeds. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road with its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, providing a balanced performance for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in front-wheel drive (FWD) models. AWD models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering 203 lb-ft of torque. The Equinox's engine provided adequate performance, though the eight-speed automatic sometimes hesitated to downshift. The Equinox's suspension offered a comfortable ride, but quick steering inputs could upset the chassis. Despite its off-road drive mode, the Equinox's off-road capabilities were limited, with all-terrain tires being the primary upgrade on the Activ trim.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid offered an unobstructed forward view from the driver's seat, thanks to thinner front roof pillars. The cockpit felt open and airy, with ample space for front passengers. Rear seats provided generous legroom and headroom, enhanced by a standard panoramic sunroof. Storage options included a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and a centre armrest bin. The Forester Hybrid offered 779 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for convenience.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox provided nearly identical headroom and first-row legroom to its competitors, with spacious rear seats. The driver enjoyed an elevated perch, though forward visibility was somewhat limited by the flat hood and deep dashboard. The Equinox offered ample storage space, including an angled wireless phone charger and a spacious centre console bin. Cargo space measured 844 litres behind the rear seats and 1,798 litres with the rear bench folded flat, though these figures were behind segment leaders. The Equinox's towing capacity was 680 kilograms for AWD models.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid came equipped with an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen featuring built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly interface, with large on-screen buttons and easy-to-navigate menus. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system and multiple external camera views for off-roading.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox offered an 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen, both housed in a stylish curved setup. 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. While the Equinox lacked options for a head-up display or a more elaborate audio system, it provided a satisfactory tech experience for the average user.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests, except for rollover protection, where it received four stars. The IIHS awarded the non-hybrid model a Top Safety Pick, with "Good" ratings in most categories. The Forester Hybrid came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional features like blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were included in the top-trim model.

The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with driver assistance features such as automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring. GM-specific features included a vibrating driver's seat and the Teen Driver system. The Safety and Technology Package added a surround-view camera system and traffic sign recognition. The Equinox received mixed IIHS ratings, with "Good" ratings in some crash tests and "Acceptable" ratings in others. NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of writing.