Chevrolet Equinox vs Honda CR-V
Compact SUVs · head to head, 2010–2027
The Chevrolet Equinox and Honda CR-V were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Equinox's own years, its best bet is 2021; years to avoid: 2010–2011; the newest year rated a good buy is 2024. Among the CR-V's own years, its best bet is 2020; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Chevrolet Equinox
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2021
- Newest good buy 2024
- Avoid 2010–2011
- Be careful 2012–2013, 2025
Honda CR-V
SUV · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2020
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2017–2018, 2023–2024
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Equinox year says nothing about whether it beats a CR-V. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Chevrolet Equinox | Honda CR-V | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports, already running high | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly power train and collision avoidance | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly steering and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and power train | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2013 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2012 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.2× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2027: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2027 Chevrolet Equinox | 2027 Honda CR-V | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | Not rated | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | — |
| Engines and horsepower | — | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 190 hp 2.0L 4-cyl, 145 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | — | 29–40 mpg |
| Seats | — | — |
| Third row | — | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | — | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | — · — | 0 · 0 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2027 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Equinox LT first listed | Equinox RS last listed | CR-V LX first listed | CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | No | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Standard | No | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | No | Optional | No | No |
| Sunroof or moonroof | Optional | Optional | No | Standard |
| 360-degree camera | Optional | Optional | No | No |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | Optional | Standard | No | Standard |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | No | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2027 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2027 page (Equinox, CR-V).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Chevrolet Equinox
45 manufacturer programs on file: 18 extended coverage, 27 repair programs.
- Extended coverage N192266180 - Special Coverage - On some 2010-2012, and 2014-2017 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, a link ball socket in the wiper transmission may separate. Dealers are to replace the front wiper module with the… (N192266180, 2014–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4l engine (laf, lea or luk) that have experienced high oil consumption may also experience a frozen and/or plugged pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) system during cold weather operation. 14882 -… (14882, 2012–2014 models)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system. 14232 - special coverage. (G-205009, 2012–2014 models)
- Extended coverage On certain 2010-2012 model year and 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, the ball joints in the front windshield wiper modules of these vehicles may experience high corrosion and wear that could result in the… (N192266181, 2016–2017 models)
Honda CR-V
8 manufacturer programs on file: 8 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Due to a new North America regulation which introduces a new refrigerant and oil requirement the compressor shaft seal may leak. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C compressor shaft seal from the original 3 years to 10… (A23-040, 2017–2022 models)
- Extended coverage American Honda is offering a Customer Support Program (Warranty Extension) to cover any manufacturing defects in the replacement driver's airbag inflator only. (A18-057, 2012–2014 models)
- Extended coverage Warranty Extension: Customer Support Program For Front Passenger's Airbag Inflator for 2010-12 Accord and Other Listed Years and Models (Expires September 30, 2028) (19-003-1, 2010–2011 models)
- Extended coverage Today, April 5, 2019, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2016-18 Civic and 2017-18 CR-V vehicles due to drivability concerns. American Honda is extending the powertrain warranty on the camshafts and rocker arm… (ABOM04052019, 2017–2018 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2014–2016, 2019–2022. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2011: the CR-V is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.4× usual), while the Equinox is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.6× usual, mostly engine and power train). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2010: the CR-V is rated good buy (serious complaints 0.4× usual), while the Equinox is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.2× usual, mostly engine and power train). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Equinox 2010–2011.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Equinox 2024; CR-V 2025.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.