Honda CR-V vs. Chevrolet Equinox Review

Utility
Both the 2010 Honda CR-V and the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox offer two- and all-wheel drive versions and come in multiple trim levels. Honda claims victory in luggage and cargo room, while the Equinox has the advantage in headroom and rear legroom. The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox dominates the towing game with a 3,500 pound rating; the CR-V pulls 1,500 pounds.

Performance
A 180-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine powers the 2010 Honda CR-V, while the Chevrolet Equinox offers a 182-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 264-horsepower, 3.0-liter V-6. The Honda CR-V comes with a five-speed automatic, whereas the Chevrolet Equinox is equipped with a six-speed automatic.

Fuel Economy
Fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city and 27-28 mph highway are achieved by the CR-V. The Chevrolet Equinox delivers 17-22 mpg city and 24-32 mpg highway ratings, so the Equinox wins the fuel economy battle. The Honda CR-V produces 7.7 to 8.0 metric tons of CO2 per year, thus fitting in between the Equinox model range’s CO2 production spectrum of 7.1 to 9.2 metric tons.

Technology
The base model Chevrolet Equinox LS had the advantage over the Honda CR-V LX by the factor of XM satellite radio. Top-end models both feature USB and Bluetooth connectivity, a sunroof – the Equinox’s being optional – and a rear view camera. Navigation systems are available on both vehicles, while the Equinox offers a TV with DVD entertainment system and the CR-V does not. The Equinox tops the charts with Active Noise Cancellation, which emits sounds through the stereo to cancel out many disturbing sounds, thus assuring a quiet ride.

Safety
Both contenders bring antilock brakes with brake assist into the ring, along with stability control. The Equinox delivers a big right hook by including OnStar across the model line, which features satellite communications and gets you accident assistance when you need it most. The Equinox delivers Five-Star impact ratings across the board, and the CR-V has Five-Star ratings for front impact (side-impact not available from NHTSA).

Other
More power, better fuel economy and a much higher available towing capacity make the Equinox an apparent easy winner. OnStar and a DVD player solidify this conclusion, while Honda’s CR-V battles back with a lower price.