Starting at
Starting at
203 | Torque (lb-ft) | 179 |
7 | Standard Screen Size (in) | 5 |
Standard | Apple CarPlay & Android Auto | Available |
Drivers have been arguing for generations about which manufacturer provides the better experience. The proverbial war between car manufacturers has never subsided and has only grown to the giant debate that it is today. As time went on, features that were once considered high-end would start appearing more in more cost-effective vehicles, and the argument then shifted over to which manufacturer gives you the best bang for your buck. No matter which vehicle you're aiming to purchase, you'll likely hear this age-old debate come full-circle about an even better model that deserves your attention. Does this argument hold for the 2021 Chevy Equinox vs 2021 Honda CR-V?
At Blossom Chevrolet, we're proud to sell fan-favorite models such as the Equinox. Out of the extensive list of SUVs that Chevy produces, it's the Equinox that encapsulates everything that you'd want in an SUV at an incredible value, coupled with that reputable Chevy quality. You can find the 2021 Equinox in various configurations, including the Sport Edition and Midnight Edition. Those two special editions build on the four standard trims with unique blacked-out styling elements that make them a sight to behold. Regardless of which Equinox you opt for, including the base model, the experience will provide one of the best value-to-feature setups that you can find in the SUV market space.
Smaller SUVs such as the Equinox and CR-V aren't marketed as the king of towing, but that doesn't mean that it's impossible to tow anything at all. Both vehicles offer powertrains that include identically-sized engines, but this doesn't exactly translate to equal performance between the two. Both vehicles utilize turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engines. However, if you want a traditional transmission, then you should opt for the Equinox as it pairs its turbocharged engine with a 6-speed automatic. Compared to the CR-V, which utilizes a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), many drivers simply prefer having a traditional transmission as it feels better to drive for them.
Another similarity between the two vehicles from this engine setup is an identical towing capacity. While it won't carry anything too major, both vehicles can tow upwards of 1,500 lbs, which can lend itself to be highly useful for heavier cargo on a camping trip, for example. Interestingly, regardless of the similar engine size, the Equinox manages to pull in 203 lb-ft of torque while the CR-V falls behind with 179 lb-ft of torque. Combining this 13.4% increase in torque output with a traditional transmission may be just enough to attract certain drivers, but it's the fact that you will achieve this at a lower cost that sets the 2021 Equinox apart. The reality between the Equinox and CR-V is that Chevy's offering starts at an MSRP of $23,800 against Honda's $25,350, and the performance metrics are too similar on the CR-V to warrant such a price increase.
Both the Equinox and CR-V are relatively similar in regards to their size, with a few exceptions. First, both vehicles support a maximum seating capacity of five passengers. Depending on the CR-V model, it may feature less headroom for you and your front-seat passenger with a minimum of 38-inches of headroom. No matter which Equinox model you opt for, you'll always have an even 40-inches of headroom in the front row, which may not sound like much on paper, but in actuality, it can make all the difference for taller drivers and passengers.
Tech features are much more prominent on the base model of the 2021 Equinox, which is an interesting turn of events considering its much lower starting price. The base model CR-V includes a small 5-inch screen for media controls with a rather simplified feature-set in comparison to the Equinox, which equips all drivers with a much more useful infotainment center. Displaying this infotainment center is a standard 7-inch screen, which the CR-V only offers on its higher-tier trims. When you're already paying more for the CR-V as is, the prospect of paying an additional fee for features that are already found on the competing model for cheaper is a tough one to bear.
Many drivers may not immediately understand the benefits of Equinox's standard infotainment center. Not only does the standard setup include the aforementioned 7-inch screen, but it also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are two prominent features that have been popping up more frequently across the market. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto allow you to connect your existing smartphone to the infotainment center, giving you full access to its features while you are behind the wheel. Not only are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto fantastic additions for making safe phone calls or sending text messages while on the road, but it also serves as the gateway between you and the library of media content that you already own. These features are again only available on the CR-V if you spring for the higher trims, meaning the cheaper Equinox is much more advanced right out of the gate.
Some tech features simply aren't present on the CR-V, such as a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Without a hotspot, you can't rely on a steady and reliable internet connection at all times, especially when the internet isn't readily available, such as on a camping trip. Devices that don't utilize cellular data are typically left without internet when on the road, but with this hotspot, your passengers can bring along devices such as laptops, tablets, and more. Considering the MSRP of the Equinox starts at $23,800 as opposed to the CR-V's starting price of $25,350, these omissions are simply inexcusable on Honda's part.
Today's vehicles offer drivers a far safer experience when on the road than predecessors have in the past. This is true for both the Equinox and CR-V, as opting for even the base model of either vehicle will grant you a plethora of safety features. For the 2021 Equinox, every model includes Chevy Safety Assist, and every CR-V comes with the Honda Sensing safety suite. There is a trove of features that are shared between both vehicles, such as a rearview camera, along with more advanced features such as Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking, which Honda refers to as its Collision Mitigation Braking System. These features can warn the driver of an impending impact and can assist in applying the brakes to reduce their severity.
Also coming standard between the two is Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning, which on the CR-V are labeled as the Road Departure Mitigation System. Should you begin to drift out of your lane accidentally, then you'll receive an alert, and the vehicle can even help correct your steering if need be. Finally, the Chevy Equinox comes standard with Intellibeam Auto Headlamps that will dynamically adjust according to current road conditions and visibility, which Honda simply calls Auto High Beam Headlights.
The Equinox also comes equipped with Teen Driver, which is the go-to learning software to promote driver safety for newly-licensed drivers in the household. Parents can set rules ahead of their child using their vehicle and can prevent the child from listening to music at a loud volume that may cause distractions, along with adding preset speed limits. Teen Driver also prevents your child from leaving park for an extended period if they or their front seat passenger do not have their seatbelts fastened.
There are also a host of available safety features for the 2021 Equinox that are not present on the CR-V. Features that you may add to your Equinox include Rear Park Assist, which can greatly enhance your safety when reversing into a parking space or when reversing out of one by utilizing sensors, cameras, and alert systems. You may also opt for a Surround Vision camera, granting you a multitude of camera angles around the exterior of your vehicle, and you can enhance your highway safety with a Side Blind Zone Alert and Lane Change Alert feature, both of which can prevent accidents related to switching lanes.