Starting at
Starting at
203 | Torque (lb-ft) | 179 |
8 | Screen Size (in) | 7 |
Standard | Apple CarPlay / Android Auto | Available |
The Chevy Equinox and the Honda CR-V are two of the most popular SUVs on the market today. They are both strong and reliable vehicles, and each brings something valuable to the table. However, if you're like most families, you are only going to be bringing home one SUV, which is why you'd be smart to compare the 2021 Chevy Equinox vs 2021 Honda CR-V before making any long-term decisions. Which vehicle is better than the other and which one should you buy?
The fact of the matter is each vehicle has pros and cons, and each one will be perfect for somebody, while neither will be perfect for everybody. You must decide what features are most important to you and then determine which SUV has those important features. In general, though, the 2021 Chevy Equinox brings more features to the table and does so at a lower price tag. While some drivers may still prefer the 2021 Honda CR-V, the Chevy model offers more comfort and a better bang for your buck.
We are living in an age where our vehicles have some pretty impressive entertainment features, and the 2021 Chevy Equinox and the 2021 Honda CR-V are no exception to this statement. Each of these vehicles comes with a standard touchscreen display and the option to integrate your smartphone into your vehicle's entertainment system. However, this is where the similarities end.
While the Apple and Android integrations are standard in all 2021 Chevy Equinox trims, these popular features are not available in the base 2021 Honda CR-V and can only be unlocked by upgrading to the higher trims. This means that the MSRP price you see advertised will not include these entertainment features for the Honda CR-V, and you will have to pay a little bit more to get those features. Given that the CR-V already starts out roughly $1500 more expensive than the Equinox, that is a significant omission.
Maybe this isn't a deal-breaker for you. After all, not everybody feels the need to have their smartphones talk to their vehicles. Some people prefer just utilizing the AM/FM traditional radio, and that's okay. However, if you enjoy being able to listen to your favorite music streaming service or make use of popular navigation apps while driving down the road, then the 2021 Chevy Equinox will provide that to you at a lower price.
Beyond the standard smartphone integration of the Equinox that the CR-V is lacking, there is also the matter of the size of the infotainment display. The 2021 Chevy Equinox comes standard with a large and easy-to-use 7-inch touchscreen display that drivers and passengers everywhere are absolutely loving. On the other hand, the 2021 Honda CR-V only comes standard with a 5-inch display. While 2 inches might not seem like a lot, when you're trying to reach a screen that's more than an arm's length away, those extra 2 inches can make a huge difference.
While the CR-V also offers a 7-inch display on its higher trims, the higher trims of the Equinox go a step further with an even larger 8-inch display. If you don't mind the size of your infotainment display, then this difference might not be a big deal to you. After all, even a 5-inch display is much more than any vehicle had a decade or two ago. However, if you prefer having the added convenience of a bigger screen and all the niceties that it offers, then perhaps you should go with the 2021 Chevy Equinox.
There are some vehicle features that are not considered necessary or required, but that definitely make owning a car more convenient and enjoyable. The only question is, are these features important enough to you to make or break your vehicle buying decision? Let's take a look at some of the convenience features that come with the 2021 Chevy Equinox and not the 2021 Honda CR-V.
Keyless start is one of many features that come standard in the Chevy Equinox but is only available in the higher trims of the Honda CR-V. Getting out your key to start your engine is not the end of the world, and plenty of people are just fine with needing the key to start their car. However, if you're somebody who frequently leaves your keys in your car or simply hates digging them out of your purse or pocket, then the keyless start of the Chevy Equinox is going to be a wonderful addition to your life. Nothing says convenience quite like hopping in your car and pushing a button to drive away - and being able to have that convenience without paying extra for it is a feature of the Chevy Equinox.
If you live in a cold and snowy climate like Albany, NY, you are going to love this last feature. The 2021 Chevy Equinox comes standard with heated mirrors, which means you no longer have to worry about piles of snow covering your mirrors and inhibiting your view. Even if you scrape off your mirrors before you start driving, cold and blowing snow can pile up again, making it difficult to see. The Equinox solves this problem with standard heated mirrors, which are another feature that you will have to upgrade to the higher trims of the CR-V to find.
First, we've got Chevy's HD Surround Vision system. While Honda has a multi-angle rearview camera that can be upgraded to include dynamic guidelines that show where your vehicle is pointed, the Equinox can be equipped with full 360-degree camera views so that you can see everything around the vehicle. This makes parking in tight spots a breeze, even allowing you to see just how close to the curb you are when maneuvering.
Next up is the auxiliary power outlets. Not everybody finds auxiliary power outlets to be a required feature, especially where so many vehicles offer USB and wireless phone chargers. However, if you enjoy the convenience of being able to charge more than just your smartphone, or perhaps being able to charge multiple devices at once, then you are probably going to lean towards the Chevy Equinox. The Honda CR-V does have a single 12-volt outlet, but the Equinox offers a pair of 12-volt outlets and a three-prong 120-volt outlet. This power outlet is especially useful for anybody who plans on working on a laptop while on the road.
If you love being in complete control of your vehicle, you are going to enjoy the control that the 2021 Chevy Equinox gives its drivers. Not only does the Equinox use a traditional six-speed automatic transmission while the CR-V is fitted with a power-sapping continuously variable transmission, but the Equinox goes a step further with its Driver Shift Control feature.
If you've ever driven a manual vehicle, you know the feeling of being in complete control of your engine's transmission every step of the way. The 2021 Chevy Equinox brings that same feeling to an automatic transmission by allowing you to select which gear you want and make full use of the vehicle's 203 pound-feet of torque. This comes in handy for anybody who finds themselves in a situation where they need their vehicle to get up and go as quickly as possible, say while merging onto the interstate or while getting out of a lane that's about to end.
Manual mode is also handy when driving on snowy and icy terrain as it gives you the ability to maintain control of your vehicle in slick conditions. If you've ever gone too fast down an icy hill, you know the fear that comes with needing to tap your brakes on a slick road in order to maintain control. With a manual transmission option, you can now just slow down with your engine and maintain the perfect speed for the road conditions, thus keeping you and everybody around you a whole lot safer.
Of course, because this is actually an automatic transmission with a manual mode, you will avoid the anxiety-inducing situations that come with manual-only cars. For example, if you are stopped at a stop sign or light at the top of a hill, you don't need to worry about stalling out on your way up the hill or rolling backwards into the car behind you - the Equinox will always keep things running smoothly. You also only need to use the manual mode only when you want it, letting it operate as a normal automatic transmission the rest of the time. The Chevy Equinox clearly offers drivers the best of both worlds when it comes to driving control.