With a new model year comes a large amount of excitement regarding the latest offerings from manufacturers across the scope of the entire industry. When it comes to the SUV marketplace, the spirit of competition is at its fiercest, and consumers are set to benefit from the different brands attempting to outdo one another. Among these brands, two, in particular, offer genuine excitement.
Chevy and Honda have long been titans who have often been pitted against one another in a never-ending battle for supremacy of the road. Today, we take a look at two distinctive offerings from each, but the real winner is you, the consumer. You’ll have the information needed to make an informed decision regarding this new lineup of SUVs. It’s the 2023 Chevy Equinox vs 2023 Honda CR-V. Only one can triumph, so let’s begin.
Cost-Effectiveness
For many consumers, the cost is an issue that profoundly affects any purchase. It’s only natural that you want to get the most for your money and that you don’t overpay for something that you’ll be making use of on a daily basis. The starting MSRP for the 2023 Honda CR-V is $31,610. While the CR-V has already received high marks from several industry critics, this cost is considerably more than the other models in its class.
Similar offerings from Volkswagen, Mazda, and Kia are priced significantly less, which is something to keep in mind when looking for a vehicle this year. The 2023 Chevy Equinox, on the other hand, is priced at a lower starting MSRP of $26,600. GM underbids popular choices from Volkswagen and Mazda, showing their willingness to go toe-to-toe with the competition in terms of affordable pricing.
Performance and Engine Options
We’re far removed from the days of cumbersome engines in the SUVs we purchase. The most popular SUVs are smaller in size but still offer effective performance and plenty of storage capacity for those who seek either one. Without further ado, let us peek underneath the hood. The Honda CR-V makes two different engines available, which have their own advantages that they have to offer drivers.
The standard offering for the CR-V comes in the form of a turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine. Delivering 190 hp and specifically designed for city driving with its CVT (continuously variable transmission), consumers can expect 28 MPG in the city and 34 MPG on the highway. However, for those looking to save the most on their trips to the pump, upper trims have a 2.0L hybrid-electric engine that boasts an impressive combined 43 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway.
While Honda offers variety with their engines, Chevy has opted to do what so many other manufacturers have done and streamline production. The sole engine that powers the Equinox takes the form of a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder. With the ability to crank out 175 hp, the Equinox has plenty of kick in its AWD or FWD drivetrains. For those with some work to accomplish, a maximum tow rating of 1,500 lbs is perfect for a variety of tasks.
Interior Motives
Both the CR-V and Equinox look quite fetching from an outside point of view. Both designs are sleek and aerodynamic, with curves in all the right places. While this certainly speaks to anyone’s keen eye for aesthetics, it’s behind the wheel where you’ll be spending a fair amount of time. While many of the attributes and designs of both vehicles have similarities, it’s the interior where the contrast certainly makes its presence felt the most.
There’s probably nothing more that benefited from the recent redesign of the CR-V than the vehicle’s interior. Taking a page from Tesla, the CR-V places its 7-inch infotainment screen atop the dashboard, with a stylish and sporty gear shifter at the base of the center. The dashboard catches them instantaneously, and then one notices how conveniently everything is placed to maximize accessibility. To maximize luxury, we recommend springing for the CR-V Sport Touring, which comes with a 12-speaker Bose stereo system. Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto services is standard on all trims, and available navigation is an excellent addition to the technology that Honda offers its drivers.
The interior of the Chevy Equinox is a product of a different frame of mind. While Honda places an emphasis on style and sophistication, Chevy utilizes a thesis that’s built upon practicality. A 7-inch infotainment screen is embedded in the center of the dash and sits perfectly adjacent to the steering column, which follows the idea of keeping everything within arm’s reach and not distracting the driver from the road. Perhaps the best thing about the interior of Chevy’s compact crossover is the standard 4G LTE wi-fi, making it better connected than many of its competitors.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
As one looks across the scope of the entire automotive industry regarding safety, you might notice that several makes and models have identical features and similar driving assistance programs. This can be attributed to the fact that the industry is guided by trends and patterns. The question isn’t so much what might come with a model but what features are standard and which ones are available. Safety shouldn’t come with a price tag, and the more features that come standard are all-around better for consumers.
As far as being safe is concerned, drivers who opt for the 2023 Chevy Equinox can rest assured knowing they’re in good hands. The vehicle received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and comes equipped with standard automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, as well as lane keep assist with lane departure warning. Some of the other features that are worth mentioning are connectivity to OnStar services and IntelliBeam auto high-beam assist.
If Chevy deals a hand at the card game, that’s impressive; Honda deals one that wins the game. The Honda CR-V makes a wider variety of features standard that encompass every aspect of the driving experience. Matching Chevy’s offerings and adding such innovative features as adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and driver alertness monitoring, the Honda Sensing suite is putting a lot more into the pot.
The Final Verdict
The choice of which model will work better for you comes down to personal preference and what you favor most in a vehicle. For some drivers, Chevy will provide them with an SUV that’s not going to break the bank in initial cost, as well as some much-needed towing capability and a tried-and-true reputation in versatility that’s been developed for well over a century. The Equinox continues the tradition of prowess and performance that’s been synonymous with Chevy since the brand’s inception.
As for the Honda CR-V, it’s true; you’ll end up paying more than you would for an Equinox or a Volkswagen Tiguan. However, you get a plethora of safety and driving assistance features and a selection of two engines that are almost certain to help save you on fuel costs in the year ahead. Either option is suitable for what you pay, and in an age where the economy is up and down as often as it is, any level of stability is always welcomed and appreciated.
