Compare the2023 Chevrolet EquinoxVS 2023 Honda HR-V

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Equinox LT/RS/Premier offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The HR-V only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Equinox and the HR-V have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Equinox the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 221 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The HR-V has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The Equinox’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the HR-V’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Honda dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Equinox’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Equinox first among compact suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The HR-V isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 36 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 16th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

Engine

The Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 more horsepower (175 vs. 158) and 65 lbs.-ft. more torque (203 vs. 138) than the HR-V’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Chevrolet Equinox is faster than the Honda HR-V:

	Equinox	HR-V
Zero to 60 MPH	8.9 sec	9.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.9 sec	17.3 sec
Top Speed	124 MPH	115 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Equinox’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Equinox FWD’s standard fuel tank has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the HR-V (14.9 vs. 14 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the HR-V (15.6 vs. 14 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

The Equinox stops much shorter than the HR-V:

	Equinox	HR-V
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	172 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Equinox has larger standard tires than the HR-V (225/65R17 vs. 215/60R17). The Equinox’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the HR-V (235/50R19 vs. 225/55R18).

The Equinox’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the HR-V Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Equinox offers optional 19-inch wheels. The HR-V’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Equinox has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The HR-V doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Equinox’s wheelbase is 2.8 inches longer than on the HR-V (107.3 inches vs. 104.5 inches).

The Equinox’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the HR-V’s (58% to 42%). This gives the Equinox more stable handling and braking.

The Equinox Premier AWD handles at .86 G’s, while the HR-V EX-L AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Equinox has a greater minimum ground clearance than the HR-V LX/EX-L (7.9 vs. 7 inches), allowing the Equinox to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Equinox’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the HR-V Sport (7.9 vs. 7.3 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Equinox offers available electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The HR-V doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Equinox has 4.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the HR-V (103.2 vs. 98.7).

The Equinox has .6 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .6 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom, 4.3 inches more rear hip room and .3 inches more rear shoulder room than the HR-V.

Cargo Capacity

The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the HR-V with its rear seat up (29.9 vs. 24.4 cubic feet). The Equinox has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the HR-V with its rear seat folded (63.9 vs. 55.1 cubic feet).

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the Equinox LT/RS/Premier’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The HR-V doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Equinox (except LS) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button, or on the Equinox Premier, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The HR-V doesn’t offer a power liftgate.

Towing

The Equinox has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The HR-V has no towing capacity.

The Equinox can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Equinox can be unhitched and driven around locally. The HR-V can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Equinox uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The HR-V doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Equinox Premier, the memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The HR-V doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Equinox Premier’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The HR-V doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Equinox’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The HR-V has neither an oil pressure gauge nor a temperature gauge.

The power windows standard on both the Equinox and the HR-V have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Equinox is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The HR-V prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Equinox’s front and rear power windows all lower with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The HR-V’s standard power windows’ passenger windows don’t open automatically. The HR-V Sport/EX-L’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to lower them fully.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Equinox’s available exterior PIN entry system. The HR-V doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Equinox’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The HR-V’s power window (except driver window) and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Equinox’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the HR-V Sport/EX-L.

When the Equinox Premier is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The HR-V’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Equinox Premier’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The HR-V offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the Equinox and the HR-V offer available heated front seats. The Equinox Premier also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the HR-V.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Equinox Premier keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The HR-V doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Equinox’s optional (except LS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The HR-V doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Equinox has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The HR-V doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Equinox and the HR-V offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Equinox has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The HR-V doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Equinox LT/RS/Premier’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The HR-V’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The Equinox (except LS) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The HR-V doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Equinox Premier’s optional Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The HR-V doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Equinox, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the Honda HR-V by 81% during the 2021 model year.