Compare the2026 Chevrolet Equinox EVVS 2026 Toyota Rav4

The Chevrolet Equinox EV has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Rav4 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Equinox EV has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Cross Traffic Braking, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the Rav4 SE/Woodland/XLE/XSE/Limited/GR Sport offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the Equinox EV and the Rav4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV weighs 856 to 1401 pounds more than the Toyota Rav4. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Equinox EV’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Rav4’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Equinox EV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

The Equinox EV has more powerful engines than the Rav4:

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Equinox EV electric motors is faster than the Toyota Rav4 (236 HP engine):

On the EPA test cycle the Equinox EV gets better mileage than the Rav4 running its gasoline engine:

The Equinox EV can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 288 to 319 miles. The Rav4 Plug-In Hybrid SE/XSE has to start its internal combustion engine after only 52 miles.

For better stopping power the Equinox EV’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Rav4:

The Equinox EV’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the Rav4 are solid, not vented.

The Equinox EV stops much shorter than the Rav4:

For better traction, the Equinox EV has larger standard tires than the Rav4 (245/55R19 vs. 235/65R17). The Equinox EV’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rav4 (275/40R21 vs. 235/65R17).

The Equinox EV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Rav4 LE’s standard 65 series tires. The Equinox EV’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Rav4 XSE’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Equinox EV has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Rav4 LE. The Equinox EV’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Rav4 XSE.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Toyota Rav4 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Equinox EV has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Rav4 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Equinox EV’s wheelbase is 10.4 inches longer than on the Rav4 (116.3 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The Equinox EV LT handles at .87 G’s, while the Rav4 Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Equinox EV LT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Rav4 Limited (27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The Equinox EV has 3.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Rav4 (102.2 vs. 98.9).

The Equinox EV has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front hip room, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear hip room than the Rav4.

While the Rav4 GR Sport is not recommended to tow, any Equinox EV can tow a minimum of 1500 pounds.

The Equinox EV uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rav4 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The Equinox EV’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Rav4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Equinox EV’s standard Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Rav4 doesn’t offer a sensor on the cargo door.

The Equinox EV’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Rav4 LE’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

When the Equinox EV with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Rav4’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.