Do you know why crossovers are among the most popular vehicles on the road today? Versatility. A crossover can easily navigate your daily commute to work or a weekend adventure out of town with family and friends. A crossover’s versatility comes from its sedan-like efficiency and SUV-like spaciousness that add to its value and capability. This versatility is especially notable when you compare the 2021 Chevy Equinox vs 2021 Honda CR-V, which are two of the leading models in the crossover market.
So, how does the Chevy compare to the Honda? There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to put the crossovers to the test. Some of the biggest factors when considering a vehicle are price and trim options, performance, and tech and safety features. Let’s see how the Equinox compares to the CR-V and what you can expect when you test drive these capable pavement warriors!
Let’s Talk Pricing and Options
One reason why crossovers are so popular is that they are typically more affordably priced than a full-size SUV but offer many of the same features as their larger counterparts. You’ll find this is true with the Chevy Equinox and the Honda CR-V, both of which reflect each automaker’s reputation for building affordable and reliable vehicles that can handle the demands of everyday life and epic weekend adventures. But there has to be a clear winner when it comes to the best prices and options, right?
The 2021 Chevy Equinox is undeniably the favorite in the category of pricing, and it also jumps ahead if you are looking for more options, thanks to its six trims and special editions. Let’s start with pricing. The Equinox L starts at $23,800, which is significantly lower than the CR-V LX, which starts at $25,350.
The models are comparable in terms of safety features, with the Equinox equipped with the Chevy Safety Assist suite and the CR-V with the Honda Sensing safety suite. However, the Equinox pulls ahead when it comes to technology thanks to its standard 7-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite its higher price, the base trim CR-V only has a simple 5-inch LCD screen, making it much less attractive if you’re a tech junkie.
After the base trim, the Equinox lineup offers a progressive suite of features beginning with the LS trim at $26,300, which includes LED lights and Teen Driver technology. The LT trim, which starts at $27,500, adds a power driver seat with lumbar control as well as the option to add heated front seats. The Premier is the top tier trim and, for $31,400, you’ll enjoy heated leather seats and a hands-free power liftgate, among other premium features.
The Honda CR-V also has four base trims, but they are all more expensive, and there is no equivalent to the Chevy Midnight and Sport Editions. Following the CR-V LX, you can get behind the wheel of the EX for $27,860 and enjoy advanced safety features like the Blind Spot Information System. The EX-L adds more luxury with a leather interior and power seating as well as a power liftgate for $30,450. The top-tier CR-V is the Touring, which starts at $33,650, and includes wireless phone charging, a heated steering wheel, and a hands-free power liftgate.
Let’s Talk Performance
When it comes to performance, the 2021 Equinox has the edge over the 2021 CR-V. Although Chevy discontinued the more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the Equinox still delivers plenty of power with its turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission. This power comes to the tune of 170 ponies and 203 lb-ft of torque, the latter of which makes all the difference when it’s time to climb a hill or quickly accelerate. Because of this, the Equinox is fun to drive and offers an outstanding fuel economy averaging 28 miles per gallon. So, how does the CR-V compare?
The CR-V is also only offered with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, but it only delivers 179 lb-ft of torque, which is a significant difference from the 203 lb-ft of the Equinox. The CR-V also pairs its engine with a continuously variable transmission, which is more efficient than the Chevy’s six-speed automatic transmission but provides a less engaging experience. The rest of the powertrains of the two vehicles are similar, as they both come standard with front-wheel drive and have optional all-wheel drive.
Let’s Talk Tech and Safety
One of the most exciting parts of shopping for a new crossover is looking at all the new tech the models have to offer. The 2021 Equinox and 2021 CR-V are equipped with the most innovative technology available, extending from connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to safety and driver-assist tools. Of course, these features vary by trim, with the Equinox Premier and the CR-V Touring offering every bell and whistle. Here’s a closer look at those bells and whistles that put the CR-V and Equinox head-to-head in this category.
The 2021 Equinox is equipped with a standard 7-inch touchscreen display with the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system that offers a variety of in-vehicle apps as well as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. You can even upgrade the screen to a larger, 8-inch display with navigation, which is a great option if you travel frequently and want to reap the benefits of Chevy’s innovative navigation system. The 2021 CR-V offers a smaller 7-inch touchscreen as its largest display, and the base trim only comes with a 5-inch LCD screen that lacks any form of smartphone integration beyond Bluetooth calls. The CR-V also does not have an available Wi-Fi hotspot on any trim.
Beyond their connectivity features, another selling point is that both the Equinox and CR-V are equipped with outstanding safety and driver-assist tools. Every Equinox is outfitted with the Chevy Safety Assist suite that comes standard with Automatic Emergency Braking, a Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam automatic headlights, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. These tools are designed to enhance visibility and minimize the potential for collision, which Chevy enhances with available upgrades like HD Surround Vision and the Safety Alert Seat.
You’ll find many of the same features on the CR-V in the Honda Sensing suite. This suite includes a Collision Mitigation Braking System, which works like the Equinox’s Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Alert tools. The CR-V is also equipped with a Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keeping Assist System, and Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Flow. The Adaptive Cruise Control sets the CR-V apart from the Equinox and is a great tool that makes highway driving easy by automatically monitoring the traffic ahead to adjust the CR-V’s speed without the need for you to hit the brakes and reset the cruise control.
And the Winner Is…
Let’s be honest – it’s hard to declare a true winner because it all depends on what you’re looking for and what you value in a crossover. Chevrolet and Honda both deliver exceptional crossovers in the Equinox and CR-V, both of which are packed with features and are proven performers whether they’re navigating city streets or traveling down the highway to your next adventure. So, the real winner is up to you and what matters most to your driving and lifestyle needs. However, if you’re looking for affordability, advanced technology, and a strong engine, then you’ll love the Equinox.
