2023 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered a diverse lineup with eight models ranging from $33,745 to $54,495, excluding a $1,495 destination charge. The lineup included the rugged Timberline and luxurious King Ranch trims, with the new ST-Line adding a sporty flair to the XLT version. The King Ranch model, tested with 4WD, Rapid Red paint, and a Premium Technology package, reached an MSRP of $59,880. Despite its high price, the King Ranch's visual distinction was subtle, with unique emblems, 20-inch wheels, and quad exhausts. The Explorer's design, based on a rear-drive platform, featured a long hood, short overhang, and a floating roof effect, giving it an athletic look. Inside, the King Ranch boasted exclusive Del Rio leather seating with King Ranch branding, though the interior mixed quality with some less impressive materials.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as bold as some competitors, presented an attractive crossover design with a restrained body and a chunky front end. The gold Bowtie emblem varied in appeal depending on the paint color, with options like Blue Glow Metallic and Harvest Brown Metallic complementing it well. The Equinox came in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, all available with FWD or AWD. The Premier trim, tested with two-tone leather upholstery, included standard heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Despite a somewhat dated interior with a small touchscreen and plastic buttons, the Equinox was practical and user-friendly, featuring a traditional PRNDL shift lever and spacious cupholders. The Confidence and Convenience II package added valuable features like lumbar adjustments, ventilated front seats, and an HD surround-view camera.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains. The base, XLT, ST-Line, Limited, and Timberline trims featured a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and RWD, with 4WD optional. This engine provided a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds and up to 24 mpg combined. The hybrid option, available for the Limited and Platinum trims, combined a 3.3-liter V6 with an electric motor for 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 5,000 lbs and achieving 27 mpg combined. The twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, standard on ST, Platinum, and King Ranch trims, delivered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, towing up to 5,600 lbs with 21 mpg combined. The King Ranch 4WD test vehicle averaged 20.6 mpg. The Explorer's ride was robust, handling off-road terrain well with 7.9 inches of ground clearance, while the Timberline offered 8.7 inches. The Explorer was engaging to drive, with the ST trim offering a sport-tuned experience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a sole 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque. While adequate for city driving, the Equinox struggled with acceleration above 30 mph, taking about eight seconds to reach highway speeds. The six-speed automatic transmission, though older, provided a straightforward driving experience. AWD was available across all trims, requiring manual engagement via a button. The Equinox's braking system was upgraded to an electronically assisted brake-by-wire system, offering smooth and predictable braking. The suspension handled bumps well, and the steering was tight and accurate, making the Equinox enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Ford Explorer provided ample comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. However, the third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited space. The King Ranch trim included features like triple-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, and massaging front seats with 14-way power adjustment for the driver. The second-row seats were comfortable, but the third-row access was challenging for adults. Storage space was limited, with a small center console and few practical pockets or shelves. The cargo area offered 18.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 47.9 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 87.8 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While not the largest in its class, it surpassed some competitors. Passenger space was generous, with ample headroom and legroom for a six-foot-tall driver and rear passengers. The interior featured higher-quality plastic components, with plenty of storage options like cupholders, a center console bin, and door pockets. The Premier trim included a nearly silent power liftgate.

The 2022 Ford Explorer featured two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system, with either an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The larger screen appeared as an afterthought, while the smaller screen integrated well with the interior. The King Ranch trim included FordPass Connect, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Ford+Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and navigation. Additional features included wireless charging, a surround-view camera, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. The Sync 3 system's voice recognition was less advanced than the newer Sync 4, struggling with certain commands. The King Ranch also offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and Active Park Assist 2.0.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox's technology was straightforward, with a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and an 8-inch screen in the Premier. While not as flashy as some competitors, the system was easy to use, with quick response times and good voice recognition. The Premier trim included a wireless charging pad, with all trims offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The driver-information display, though simple, provided useful features like music and navigation information.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with five-star ratings from the NHTSA except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Co-Pilot360 Assist+ added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and evasive steering assist. The Explorer also featured post-collision braking and MyKey programmable functions.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox included standard ADAS features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high beams. While it lacked level two autonomous driving technology, it received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. However, the Equinox scored poorly in the IIHS moderate overlap front crash test and marginally in the side-impact test.