Lexus NX Hybrid vs Chevrolet Equinox EV

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV was Chevrolet's smallest all-electric SUV, closely resembling the Blazer EV in size, being only 4 centimetres shorter. 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 unsettling reflections. Material quality was typical for a compact SUV, with hard plastic surfaces and lightly padded touchpoints.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid, particularly the NX 350h F Sport 3, was known for its over-stylized design, featuring a large spindle grille and squinting LED headlights. Its sporty profile was complemented by dark trim and 20-inch wheels, while the fastback roof shape echoed coupe-like crossovers. Inside, the NX combined a sporty look with modern technology, including a digital instrument cluster and a large touchscreen. The F Sport 3 model featured dark graphite aluminum trim, metal pedals, and Circuit Red synthetic leather upholstery, enhancing its upscale feel.

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 300 horsepower. 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 had a slightly reduced range. 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 there was some noticeable boominess on the highway.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's powertrain consisted of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and three electric motors, providing standard all-wheel drive and a total of 240 horsepower. It had a 0 to 96 km/h time of 7.2 seconds. The NX's handling was controlled but not sporty, with a firm yet comfortable ride. The hybrid powertrain delivered adequate power, though it felt slushy at times. The NX 450h plug-in hybrid offered more power with 340 horsepower.

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 a heat pump for efficient climate control, though it took time to warm up on cold mornings. Storage was adequate, with a 748-litre cargo capacity. However, there was no front trunk.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid's F Sport 3 model offered well-bolstered front seats with power adjustments, heated and ventilated options, and dual-zone climate control. The rear seats provided enough room for average-sized adults, with a fold-down centre armrest. The NX had a cargo capacity of 643 litres, expanding to 1,328 litres with the rear seats folded. The coupe-like roof shape limited cargo space compared to some rivals.

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 NX Hybrid came with a 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also featured a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system as an option. The NX included a three-year Remote Connect subscription, allowing remote starting and vehicle status alerts. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick responses and easy access to controls.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with advanced safety features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The optional Active Safety Package 3 included Super Cruise, a semi-automated hands-free highway driving system.

The 2026 Lexus NX Hybrid earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award and had a suite of safety features, including blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. Optional features included automatic parking and a surround-view camera system. The adaptive cruise control was slightly complicated to set.