Why Do We Love the Chevy Equinox?

That’s a great question, and one that we enjoy being asked because it gives us a chance to talk about one of our favorite compact SUVs. This is a vehicle with a lot to offer, even when you compare it with some stiff competition, like looking at the 2026 Chevy Equinox vs 2026 Hyundai Tucson.

At a glance, the Tucson clearly has a lot to offer. But when we dig deeper into this comparison, the differences become clear, and the Equinox’s strengths rise to the top. Getting the right Equinox is a lot easier than getting the right Tucson, since your choices are streamlined. Chevy’s SUV starts at a lower price, which is nice, and it comes with some fantastic features, including advanced safety tech and much more.

Chevy Keeps Your Options Simple

With some models, we like having many options available. Something like the Chevy Silverado 1500, for example, is improved by the number of trims and configuration options you can choose from. A driver who needs a full-size truck wants something that is just right for them, so we understand why Chevy offers so many different Silverado 1500 trims.

Looking at a compact SUV, however, you’re better off with a few straightforward options that let you get exactly what you want. An excessive number of choices when shopping for a simple daily driver can quickly become overwhelming. This is precisely what we see when looking at the 2026 Chevy Equinox and the Hyundai Tucson. Chevy keeps it simple, and Hyundai doesn’t.

Chevy Equinox Trim Levels

With the Equinox, you can get everything you’re looking for without missing a thing, and without spending days sorting through and comparing different trims. The last thing you want when shopping for a compact SUV is to feel like you’re drowning in various models, sometimes with very minor differences between them. Chevy gives you three trims:

• Equinox LT: The starting trim with standard features
• Equinox ACTIV: Outdoor-inspired looks and features
• Equinox RS: Sporty styling and upgraded features

That’s it. You have three great trims, each with its own personality and presence, making it easy to get what you’re looking for. One thing we really like is that the RS and ACTIV both start at the same price, so the right one comes down to the styling and features you prefer. This keeps everything easy and straightforward, so you can get the right SUV without any hassles.

Hyundai Tucson Trim Options

In stark contrast to Chevy’s clean, simple approach, Hyundai offers so many Tucson trims that finding the right one can become incredibly complicated. You might think we’re exaggerating a bit when we talk about this, but all it takes is one look at what’s available to see what we mean. We can’t possibly detail each one, but Hyundai offers 12 trims for the Tucson:

• Tucson SE
• Tucson SEL
• Tucson SEL Plus
• Tucson SEL Premium
• Tucson XRT
• Tucson Limited
• Tucson SE Hybrid
• Tucson SEL Hybrid
• Tucson SEL Convenience Hybrid
• Tucson Limited Hybrid
• Tucson SEL Plug-in Hybrid
• Tucson Limited Plug-in Hybrid

Some of this overabundance of options comes down to three different versions being available, with hybrid and plug-in hybrid options substantially complicating things. But even if we just look at the trims with the standard engine, we find six different options, double what Chevy offers. We like choices as much as anyone else, but that’s too many for a compact SUV.

Great Engineering for a Fun Drive

At its core, the Chevy Equinox is a terrific daily driver. This is one of our favorite choices for folks looking for an SUV that will improve their typical routine and commute. A big part of that is just how fun it is to drive. The Equinox feels great on the road. Some of that comes from its great engine, but Chevy has made numerous decisions that enhance its performance.

Let’s look at the engine of the Equinox compared to the standard engine for the Tucson:

2026 Chevy Equinox

• 1.5L Turbo: 175 hp and 203 lb-ft torque

2026 Hyundai Tucson

• 2.5L I-4: 187 hp and 178 lb-ft torque

The Tucson’s engine has slightly more power but significantly lower torque than what Chevy offers. The balance of power and torque in the Equinox creates a terrific driving experience, and Chevy provides a standard continuously variable transmission with front-wheel drive for a smooth ride. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are available if you prefer greater control.

A Spacious and Comfortable Interior

One concern some folks have with a compact SUV is that its small size means a small interior. Fortunately, Chevy understands this concern and has designed the Equinox to be quite roomy and accommodating inside. You get two rows of seating, as you would expect, so that up to five passengers can all be quite comfortable in the Equinox.

You also get plenty of cargo space, too, with nearly 30 cu.ft. of cargo volume behind the back seats, and more than 63 cu.ft. of total cargo room with the back seats folded down. Plus, standard comfort features include cloth seating, heated front seats, and a six-way adjustable driver’s seat so you can get it just the way you want. By comparison, in the Tucson, features like heated front seats aren’t even available for the starting SE model.

Advanced Tech Features

Tech features in the Equinox help you get where you need to go easily and enjoy your time on the road each day. Looking at the standard Equinox features, you get a beautiful 11.3-inch advanced color LCD infotainment system with Google built-in, along with an 11-inch Driver Information Center with a high-contrast display that’s easy to read.

If you go with the RS trim, you can get some advanced tech and comfort features like an eight-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a wireless phone charging pad. Looking at the Tucson, Hyundai’s standard features include a small 4.2-inch gauge cluster screen. A larger display is available, but you have to pay a lot more for it.

Safety Systems Protect You On the Road

When looking for a daily driver, few things are quite as important as how well it will help keep you safe on the road. Chevy understands this well, which is why the Equinox comes with an incredible selection of standard driver-assistance systems. This includes their Chevy Safety Assist suite of features, plus much more. Every Equinox comes with:

• Forward Collision Alert
• Enhanced Automatic Emergency Braking
• Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian and Bicyclist Braking
• Rear Park Assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Braking
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• Blind Zone Steering Assist
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Safety Alert Seat
• HD Rear Vision Camera
• Following Distance Indicator
• Teen Driver Safety System

With these various systems, you get a vehicle that truly helps you stay safer on the road by complementing your careful driving habits. Hyundai includes some nice safety systems with the Tucson, which is great, but features like Forward Attention Warning and Blind-Spot View Monitor are optional, rather than standard in the Equinox.

See Everything the Equinox Can Do

No matter what you’re looking for in a compact SUV to become your next daily driver, the Chevy Equinox is a terrific choice. With its sporty, reliable performance, great interior features, and innovative technology, it offers features the Tucson doesn’t. The Equinox is an SUV you’ll love driving for years to come.