2026 Chevy Equinox vs 2026 Honda CR-V
By now, most of us know that SUVs in any shape or size are the darlings of American car shoppers. However, getting to choose the right one is where it gets interesting, thanks to the abundance of too many good choices.
Our article compares Chevy’s 2026 Equinox against the Honda CR-V, also in its latest 2026 guise, so read on as we answer some burning questions you may have on how these compact SUVs stack up.
What does 2026 hold in store for buyers of these two compact SUVs?
Chevy’s Equinox was treated to a full redesign for the 2025 model year, so only a few trim item changes are in store for 2026.
Buyers are able to choose from three trim levels, the LT, Activ, and RS.
Honda’s latest CR-V model continues for 2026 with minor upgrades to items like the infotainment touchscreen and the addition of a convenient wireless charging pad.
Shoppers with the Japanese Honda in mind also get three buying options with LX, EX, EX-L, trim levels to pick from.
How does the exterior of the 2026 Chevy Equinox differ from that of the 2026 Honda CR-V?
The Equinox measures 183.2 inches long, 74.9 inches wide, stands 65.6 inches tall, and rides on a wheelbase of 107.5 inches.
By comparison, the latest Honda CR-V has a length of 184.8 inches, a width of 73.5 inches, and a height of 66.2 inches in 2WD guise or 66.5 inches if featuring AWD. The Honda’s wheelbase is slightly shorter at 106.3 inches.
Built on the entirely new chassis introduced for 2025, the 2026 Chevy Equinox’s handsomely styled exterior sports aggressive looks and a boxy upper body and corners with a bold and upright front grille. The Chevy offers standard LED headlamps with Intellibeam that automatically turn the vehicle’s high beams on and off according to traffic conditions at speeds over 25 mph.
Buyers of the Chevy get items like standard solar-absorbing windows and deep-tinted rear glass, plus handy features like an AutoSense power liftgate, and all trims feature alloy wheels.
The evergreen Honda CR-V, like its American rival, also boasts full LED headlamps across all trims, while getting to enjoy the convenience of a power tailgate is the reserve of the top EX-L trim. Black wheel arch mouldings and alloy wheels are fitted on all three CR-V options.
The Honda is available in a diverse lineup of eight exterior colors, depending on trim.
What benefits does the 2026 Chevy Equinox offer in the way of interior comfort and infotainment over the 2026 Honda CR-V?
The latest Chevy Equinox is packed with an impressive array of standard tech features in its spacious cabin that offers seating for up to five passengers in its two rows of seats.
The interior styling of the Equinox is modern and contemporary. It features attractive materials, cloth upholstery as standard, and Faux leather trim is optional with the top-spec Activ trim level receiving a mix of vinyl with microfiber that offers a more upscale look and feel to the Equinox’s cabin.
The Equinox comes with an impressive array of standard technology features in a passenger space measuring 104.3 cubic feet. The clever column-mounted shift lever enables this compact Chevy SUV to free up more storage space in the center console, which also houses the rotary knob controller for the 11.3-inch infotainment system.
The infotainment system features GM’s latest Google-based interface, with navigation via Google Maps and access to a Wi-Fi hotspot.
Standard fare is wireless Apple CarPlay/wireless Android Auto capability for compatible phones and front and rear USB ports.
Directly in front of the driver, Chev has provided a separate 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster with reconfiguration options for full personal customization.
The Honda also offers five seating spots in its two rows of seats, while passengers get to enjoy 106 cubic feet of interior space.
The CR-V’s handsome interior design features a honeycomb-textured insert spanning most of the dash that cleverly hides the air vents. The Honda offers a partially digital gauge cluster in LX and EX trims, while the tier EX-L trim gets a digital 10.2-inch gauge cluster.
The CR-V’s infotainment system features a 9.0-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Owners will enjoy the built-in navigation, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and two USB-C ports for rear-seat passengers.
Both vehicles offer the expected items like air conditioning with climate control standard on all Chevy trims, while Honda offers this feature on the EX and EX-L trims only.
When it’s time for cargo carrying, Chevy owners get 29.8 cubic feet in the area behind the 60/40 split fold-down rear seats, while the CR-V offers 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Dropping down the rear seats increases the Equinox’s cargo space to 63.5 cubic feet and up to 76.5 cubic feet in the Honda.
How does the performance of the 2026 Chevy Equinox compare to the Honda CR-V?
The Equinox lineup is motivated by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and torque of 203 pound-feet. Front-wheel drive models get a continuously variable automatic transmission, and AWD models get an eight-speed automatic instead.
Those opting for the Honda can expect to find a standard 190-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder under the hood paired with a CVT with either FWD or AWD drivetrain.
The maximum towing capacity for the Chevy is 800 pounds for front-wheel drive models and 1,500 pounds for AWD versions. Honda CR-Vs can tow up to a maximum of 1,500 pounds.
What safety features does the Chevy Equinox offer over the Honda CR-V?
The latest Equinox offers a comprehensive suite of standard safety features plus Chevy Safety Assist with features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane keep assist, and following distance indicator that all contribute to its 5-star overall safety rating by the NHTSA.
The CR-V is standard with Honda Sensing, with features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Just like the Chevy, the Honda has also been awarded a 5-star overall safety rating by the NHTSA.
Find the latest 2026 Chevy Equinox at Betley Chevrolet
Discover more about the affordable 2026 Chevy Equinox compact SUV at Betley Chevrolet.
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