Compare the2024 BMW X3VS 2024 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
Recommendations

Safety

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The X3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Equinox doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The BMW X3 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 X3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Equinox doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies 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 X3 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control 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 X3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Equinox doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X3 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 and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Equinox’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the X3 has standard Cross Traffic Warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Equinox.

The X3’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 X3 and the Equinox have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 BMW X3 weighs 567 to 1118 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 BMW X3 is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	X3	Equinox
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	102	159
Leg Forces (l/r)	116/280 lbs.	363/349 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	176	376
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	139 lbs.	153 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	183/114 lbs.	264/236 lbs.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the X3 is much safer than the Equinox:

	X3	Equinox
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

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 BMW X3 is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	X3	Equinox
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	109
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	153 lbs.	195 lbs.
Hip Force	275 lbs.	357 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	133	288
Spine Acceleration	45 G’s	55 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	281	377
Hip Force	624 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 BMW X3 is much safer than the Equinox:

	X3	Equinox
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	45	131
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	290 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.59 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.98 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Head Injury Criterion	156	733
Head Peak Forces	no contact	101 G’s
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	89 lbs.
Neck Compression	89 lbs.	491 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.16 in	1.65 in
Shoulder Force	112 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.67 in	1.57 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	513 lbs.	669 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL

The BMW X3 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Equinox is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

The X3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Equinox’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The X3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Equinox’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Equinox.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X3’s reliability 17 points higher than the Equinox.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 11 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The X3 s/xDrive30i’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 73 more horsepower (248 vs. 175) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The X3 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 207 more horsepower (382 vs. 175) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the X3 s/xDrive30i 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	X3	Equinox
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	9.2 sec
Quarter Mile	15.1 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.5 MPH	81.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the X3’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Equinox doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X3 has 2.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 14.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The X3 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank (17.2 vs. 15.6 gallons).

The X3 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

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Equinox.

The X3 M40i’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Equinox doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Equinox:

	X3	X3 M40i	Equinox
Front Rotors	13 inches	13.7 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13.5 inches	11.3 inches

The X3’s standard 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 X3 stops much shorter than the Equinox:

	X3	Equinox
70 to 0 MPH	158 feet	182 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	112 feet	120 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the X3 has larger standard tires than the Equinox (245/50R19 vs. 225/65R17). The X3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Equinox (F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20 vs. 235/50R19).

The X3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Equinox LS/LT’s standard 65 series tires. The X3’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Equinox’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X3 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Equinox LS/LT. The X3’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Equinox.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the X3 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Equinox doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X3 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the X3 flat and controlled during cornering. The Equinox’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The X3 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Equinox’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X3 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X3’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the Equinox (112.8 inches vs. 107.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X3 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Equinox.

The X3’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the Equinox’s (56% to 44%). This gives the X3 more stable handling and braking.

The X3 M40i xDrive handles at .88 G’s, while the Equinox LT AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X3 M40i xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the Equinox LT AWD (25.9 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X3 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Equinox (8 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the X3 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The X3 has .7 inches more front headroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Equinox.

Cargo Capacity

The X3’s cargo area is larger than the Equinox’s in almost every dimension:

	X3	Equinox
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36.5”/69”	34.9”/67.4”
Max Width	47”	53.7”
Min Width	43.3”	40.7”
Height	30.1”	31”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the X3. The Equinox doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The X3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox’s (4400 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The X3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Equinox uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the X3 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 14% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

The X3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Equinox doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X3’s front and rear power windows all 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 passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the X3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote or with the driver’s door power window switch. The driver of the Equinox can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The X3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Equinox’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The X3’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Equinox’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the X3 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Equinox doesn’t offer cornering lights. The X3 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X3 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Equinox doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X3 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 X3’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 X3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus 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

Insurance will cost less for the X3 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X3 with a number “5” insurance rate while the Equinox is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the X3 is less expensive to operate than the Equinox because it costs $37 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the X3 than the Equinox, including $68 less for front brake pads and $149 less for a fuel pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW X3 and the Chevrolet Equinox, based on reliability, safety and performance.