Every year, competition in the automotive industry heats up as each manufacturer attempts to outdo the other by offering products that are geared toward the needs of consumers. No other rivalry has generated more popularity than Ford and Chevrolet. These two titans of the industry have been going toe to toe with one another for decades, and here in the new millennium, it appears that there won’t be an end to this contest anytime soon. Much like the battles between the Mustang and Camaro, coming in second place across the finish line is not an option. Being the first and the winner is what it all comes down to. This contest has gone from the world of high-octane muscle cars to the world of compact SUVs. While any examination from decades ago might have focused on engines or horsepower, we’re looking at two offerings from each manufacturer and the safety features and driver assistance programs that each one offers. It’s the 2022 Chevy Equinox vs 2022 Ford Escape. But more than that, it’s a slug-fest of safety, which, as we’ve seen so many times before, is the most important aspect of any vehicle.
Government Tests Don’t Lie…
This examination is going to be objective and neutral as we examine both models and what they have to offer in terms of safety. First and foremost, to preserve journalistic integrity and dispel any notion that this is a biased argument, we’re beginning with government-mandated crash testing performed by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). The results from the tests are made public for consumers to make an informed decision. Examining the results from both the Chevy Equinox and Ford Escape, we’re reminded of just how neck-and-neck the decades-long competition between Ford and Chevy has been in terms of both manufacturers producing equal results.
Both vehicles received a 5-star overall safety rating in the NHTSA’s crash tests. When we took a closer look at the individual tests that make up the overall safety rating, we were astounded. While both the Equinox and Escape both have a 5-star rating, their crash test results were identical across the board. Every test scored a 5 out of 5, with the only exception being a rollover test which resulted in both vehicles receiving a 4 out of 5 rating. These results speak to the levels of commitment that both companies have when it comes to the safety of their customers.
Safety Made Available & Accessible
Testing aside, we’ve also decided to look at the available safety features of each vehicle. With manufacturers all offering features that bear a strong likeness to one another, the determining factor we decided to focus on is what comes standard as opposed to what’s simply available. To continue our stance on objectivity, we’ll be looking at what comes with the introductory trim, as opposed to the upper-level and higher-priced models. In order to gauge these properly, we first need to step aside from safety for a moment and take a quick look at each vehicle’s starting MSRP.
The Ford Escape has a starting MSRP of $26,760. This is close to the starting average for an SUV, though the Escape has ten trims available, including the introductory one, which we’ll be looking at today. Six of the other trims are hybrid versions, which are not directly comparable. The Chevy Equinox, on the other hand, is priced slightly lower than its long-standing rival, with a starting MSRP of $25,800. The Equinox lineup consists of four trim levels, keeping things on a much smaller scale. We’re including this brief explanation of pricing so that you, as the consumer, can see what you’re paying for in terms of safety.
For drivers who favor the blue oval as it’s sometimes called, they’ll be pleased to see what Ford makes standard for its introductory trim. Tire pressure monitoring and a post-crash alert both come standard, as does Ford’s Safety Canopy system (A feature to help protect passengers in the event of a rollover). One advantage the Escape possesses is offering Ford’s state-of-the-art Ford CoPilot360 driver assistance package. This includes blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, lane departure and keeping assistance, and rear cross-traffic alert. This is quite a different outlook on offering consumers access to safety than we’ve commonly seen from Ford. A look at the F-150, for example, shows that safety and driver assistance features are held back on the lower-level trims and only available with a slightly higher price tag. Nevertheless, one cannot help but be impressed with Ford making more accessible with the Escape.
Offerings From the Bow-Tie Made for You and I
If it’s one thing to be said about Chevrolet, it’s that it seldom allows itself to be outdone, whether it’s performance, pricing, or in this case, offering safety to the masses. While underbidding Ford’s competing model, Chevy is also equipping its introductory trim of the Equinox with quite a few offerings that are certainly going to win the hearts and minds of the driver who favors safety above all else.
For the introductory level, the Chevy Equinox packs quite the array of items to give drivers peace of mind. Automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, front pedestrian braking, and following distance alert all come standard. Lane-keeping and lane departure assist with a rear vision camera are also included with the introductory trim. As you can see, both Ford and Chevy are neck-and-neck with their standard offerings, which speaks to the spirit of competition and how deep it runs between the two brands.
Other assistance technologies that Chevy makes standard include GM’s Teen Driver Program, which reinforces the learning process of younger drivers and allows parents more control over what they can and can’t do behind the wheel. Connectivity to OnStar is also included, which is multifaceted in the many ways it protects drivers from both accidents and theft. The program’s long-running location and recovery system have helped thousands of owners get their vehicles back in a timely manner.
Our Final Verdict on Safety and Accessibility
Usually, in a comparison such as this, a clear-cut winner is decided because, after all, only one winner gets first place. This isn’t like most comparisons. If you ask us, the real winner of this comparison, brought to you with objectivity and research, is you. Today, we’ve taken a neutral look at the safety and driver assistance features of both models and taken the time to highlight what each one offers with its introductory trim. This way, you know what each manufacturer is offering for the introductory price.
We’ve also looked at the testing performed by the NHTSA and the results that were reported back from the bureau. If you find yourself shopping for a car, it’s important to remember that as a consumer, you have a right to know the facts and figures about any vehicle that you decide to purchase. The Ford Escape and Chevy Equinox both offer a variety of features that are meant to keep you safe while you’re on the road. And in a world that’s grown increasingly unpredictable as the years have passed, that’s some stability that you can count on, no matter which brand you decide to support.
