Compare the2026 Subaru TrailseekerVS 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV

The Trailseeker has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The Trailseeker has standard Whiplash-Protection Front Seats, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Protection Front Seats system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Trailseeker has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Equinox EV 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive is standard on the Trailseeker. But it costs extra on the Equinox EV.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Trailseeker’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Subaru Trailseeker’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

Both the Trailseeker and the Equinox EV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Subaru second in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 17th.

The Trailseeker’s electric motors produces 155 more horsepower (375 vs. 220) than the Equinox EV’s standard electric motor. The Trailseeker’s electric motors produces 87 more horsepower (375 vs. 288) than the Equinox EV’s optional electric motors.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Trailseeker is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox EV:

On the EPA test cycle the Trailseeker gets better mileage than the Equinox EV:

The Trailseeker has a standard locking charge port, which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Equinox EV doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

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

The Trailseeker stops much shorter than the Equinox EV:

The Trailseeker Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Equinox EV RS eAWD (26.3 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Trailseeker’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Equinox EV’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Trailseeker has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Equinox EV (8.5 vs. 6.4 inches), allowing the Trailseeker to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Trailseeker may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Trailseeker’s rear seats recline. The Equinox EV’s rear seats don’t recline.

The Trailseeker has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Equinox EV with its rear seat up (31.3 vs. 26.4 cubic feet). The Trailseeker has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Equinox EV with its rear seat folded (74 vs. 57.2 cubic feet).

The Trailseeker’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox EV’s (3500 vs. 1500 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Subaru service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Subaru third in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 13th.

The Trailseeker’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Equinox EV.

The Trailseeker’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 EV’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. The Equinox EV’s optional passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Trailseeker the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Subaru service department.) The driver of the Equinox EV can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Trailseeker has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Trailseeker’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Chevrolet charges extra for heated mirrors on the Equinox EV.

Both the Subaru Trailseeker and Chevrolet Equinox EV offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The Trailseeker features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Equinox EV’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The Trailseeker 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 EV.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Subaru Trailseeker has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console for two separate devices. Wireless charging costs extra on the Equinox EV, and only charges one device.

The Trailseeker Limited/Touring has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.