Compare the2023 Ford ExplorerVS 2023 Chevrolet Equinox

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Ford Explorer are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Ford Explorer has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Equinox doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Equinox doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Explorer (except Base/XLT/Limited/Timberline) offers an optional Reverse Brake Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Equinox doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Explorer 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Equinox doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Explorer has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Equinox’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Explorer has standard Cross Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Equinox and the Equinox’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The Explorer’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Equinox doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Explorer and the Equinox have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and around view monitors.

The Ford Explorer weighs 833 to 1695 pounds more than the Chevrolet Equinox. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	Explorer	Equinox
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	125	159
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	190 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	230/210 lbs.	363/349 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	318	376
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Explorer is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	Explorer	Equinox
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	65	109
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	161 lbs.	195 lbs.
Hip Force	224 lbs.	357 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	288
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	55 G’s
Hip Force	604 lbs.	630 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	13 inches
HIC	288	377
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	573 lbs.	730 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Ford Explorer is much safer than the Equinox:

	Explorer	Equinox
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	131
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.91 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	8 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Injury Criterion	168	733
Head Peak Forces	no contact	101 G’s
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	491 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.98 in	1.65 in
Shoulder Force	379 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.57 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Explorer is 1.3% to 3.8% less likely to roll over than the Equinox.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Explorer the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 55 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Equinox last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2017.

Warranty

The Explorer’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Equinox’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Equinox doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Explorer has a standard 760-amp battery. The Equinox’s 700-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Ford 2 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 125 more horsepower (300 vs. 175) and 107 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Explorer’s optional 3.3 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 143 more horsepower (318 vs. 175) and 119 lbs.-ft. more torque (322 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 225 more horsepower (400 vs. 175) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Explorer turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	Explorer	Equinox
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	9.2 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	81.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Explorer can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 3 miles. The Equinox can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Explorer Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Equinox doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Explorer 2.3-liter’s standard fuel tank has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.9 vs. 14.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Explorer Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox FWD’s standard fuel tank (18 vs. 14.9 gallons). The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank (20.2 vs. 15.6 gallons).

The Explorer Hybrid has a standard locking fuel door with a power remote release convenient to the driver. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the Equinox. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Equinox.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Equinox:

	Explorer	Explorer ST	Equinox
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	14.3 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	13.8 inches	11.3 inches

The Explorer ST’s optional front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Equinox are solid, not vented.

The Explorer stops much shorter than the Equinox:

	Explorer	Equinox
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	182 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	120 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer has larger standard tires than the Equinox (255/65R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Equinox (275/45R21 vs. 235/50R19).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Equinox’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Equinox LS/LT. The Explorer’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Equinox.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The Equinox doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Explorer flat and controlled during cornering. The Equinox’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Explorer has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Equinox doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Equinox doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 11.8 inches longer than on the Equinox (119.1 inches vs. 107.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Explorer is 4.7 inches wider in the front and 4.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Equinox.

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the Equinox’s (56% to 44%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the Equinox LT AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.7 seconds quicker than the Equinox LT AWD (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer Timberline has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Equinox (8.7 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has standard seating for 7 passengers; the Equinox can only carry 5.

The Explorer has 49.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Equinox (152.7 vs. 103.2).

The Explorer has .7 inches more front headroom, 2.1 inches more front legroom, 5 inches more front hip room, 4.6 inches more front shoulder room, 2 inches more rear headroom, 7.4 inches more rear hip room and 6.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Equinox.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the Equinox.

	Explorer	Equinox
Third Seat Folded	47.9 cubic feet	n/a
Third Seat Removed	n/a	29.9 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	87.8 cubic feet	63.9 cubic feet

The Explorer’s cargo area is larger than the Equinox’s in every dimension:

	Explorer	Equinox
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	20.8”/49.8”/83.9”	n.a./34.9”/67.4”
Max Width	59”	53.7”
Min Width	48.1”	40.7”
Height	33.7”	31”

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Explorer. The Equinox doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Explorer’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox’s (3000 vs. 1500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Chevrolet Equinox is only 1500 pounds. The Explorer offers up to a 5600 lbs. towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Equinox. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The Explorer’s front power windows open or close 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 Equinox’s front passenger window doesn’t close automatically.

The Explorer’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Equinox’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Explorer’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Explorer Platinum has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Equinox doesn’t offer cornering lights.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Explorer to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Equinox doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Explorer ST/King Ranch/Platinum offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Equinox.

The Explorer has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Equinox and isn’t available on the Equinox LS.

The Explorer’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Equinox LS doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

The Explorer ST/Platinum’s optional Active Park Assist 2.0 can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Equinox Premier’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.

Economic Advantages

The Explorer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Explorer will retain 48.3% to 55.09% of its original price after five years, while the Equinox only retains 44.91% to 45.97%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Explorer is less expensive to operate than the Equinox because it costs $373 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Explorer than the Equinox, including $203 less for a muffler, $165 less for front brake pads, $237 less for a starter, $265 less for fuel injection, $278 less for a fuel pump and $20 less for front struts.