2025 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its rugged heritage while aligning with contemporary Land Rover aesthetics. Inside, the Defender diverged from its siblings, offering a more robust and adventure-ready cabin reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet with superior soft-touch materials. Available in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—the Defender catered to various preferences, with trims like S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, featuring the County visual package, highlighted its retro appeal with white wheels and vintage graphics, though modern styling options were also available.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox underwent a significant redesign, adopting a modern look that aligned it more closely with larger Chevrolet models like the Traverse and Suburban. Each trim offered distinct styling, with the base LT featuring chrome or an optional Midnight Edition High Gloss Black treatment. The RS trim sported black mirrors and badges, while the new ACTIV trim emphasized adventure with all-terrain tires and a unique grille design. Interior updates included a more open center console and a larger infotainment screen, enhancing the cabin's modern feel. The Equinox's flat roof provided consistent headroom, and the new interior themes, like the ACTIV's "Maple Sugar and Black," added a touch of sophistication.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, delivering 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, producing 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options were available: the P500 with 493 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque, and the P525 with 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active 4WD. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system, making it a formidable choice for adventurous drivers.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox retained a single engine option: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 175 horsepower. Torque varied with powertrain, offering 184 lb-ft in FWD models and 203 lb-ft in AWD versions. The FWD models featured a CVT, while AWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which improved acceleration and reduced noise compared to the previous six-speed. The Equinox's ride was generally quiet and comfortable, though highway merges highlighted the engine's limitations. With AWD, the Equinox could tow up to 1,500 pounds, and new selectable drive modes enhanced its versatility for different driving conditions.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials alongside practical elements like grip handles and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row best suited for children. Cargo capacity depended on the model, with the Defender 130 providing the most space at 76.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 78.8 cubic feet in its two-row configuration, while the two-door Defender 90 provided up to 58.3 cubic feet. The cargo area's hard plastic surfaces made it easy to clean, enhancing its practicality.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard on RS and ACTIV trims, with front seat ventilation available as part of a package. The Evotex seats provided a premium feel, and the flat roof ensured consistent headroom throughout the cabin. The Equinox's cargo space was slightly reduced, offering 29.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with them folded. A hidden storage compartment beneath the load floor added convenience, though the overall cargo volume was small for its class.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen, which, while smaller than some competitors, complemented its utilitarian design. Standard features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup and home buttons made the infotainment system user-friendly, appealing to those who preferred simplicity.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox came standard with Google Built-In, offering wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The native Google Maps integration proved functional, allowing simultaneous infotainment activities without interrupting navigation. The new 11.3-inch touchscreen was 30% larger than the previous model's priciest option, enhancing the user experience. Standard tech features included a wi-fi hotspot, a six-speaker audio system, and wireless charging for RS and ACTIV trims.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender boasted a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive, potentially causing discomfort for drivers.

The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox offered an optional Safety & Technology package, adding rear pedestrian alert, HD surround vision, traffic-sign recognition, and a camera rearview mirror. Most safety features were standard, including enhanced automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. The Teen Driver Technology feature allowed parents to set speed and volume limits, providing peace of mind for those sharing the vehicle with younger drivers.