Compare the2025 Chevrolet Equinox EVVS 2025 Lexus RZ

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 RZ Premium/Luxury offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the Equinox EV and the RZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Equinox EV is safer than the Lexus RZ:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Equinox EV is safer than the Lexus RZ:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are almost 12 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Equinox EV’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 14 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 8th.

The Equinox EV’s standard electric motor produces 19 more horsepower (220 vs. 201) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (243 vs. 196) than the RZ 300e’s standard electric motor. The Equinox EV’s optional electric motors produces 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (333 vs. 321) than the RZ 450e’s optional electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the Equinox EV gets better mileage than the RZ:

The Equinox EV can travel longer on a full charge than the RZ on a full charge:

The Equinox EV stops shorter than the RZ:

For better traction, the Equinox EV has larger standard tires than the RZ (245/55R19 vs. 235/60R18). The Equinox EV’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RZ (275/40R21 vs. 235/60R18).

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 RZ’s standard 60 series front tires. The Equinox EV’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the RZ’s optional 50 series front and 45 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Equinox EV has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RZ. The Equinox EV’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the RZ.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Lexus RZ 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 RZ doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Equinox EV’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the RZ (116.3 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The Equinox EV’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (52% to 48%) than the RZ’s (54.2% to 45.8%). This gives the Equinox EV more stable handling and braking.

The Equinox EV LT handles at .87 G’s, while the RZ 450e Luxury pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Equinox EV has .6 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, 1.7 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the RZ.

The Equinox EV has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RZ with its rear seat folded (57.2 vs. 55.6 cubic feet).

The Equinox EV has a 1500 lbs. towing capacity. The RZ has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the Equinox EV uses the StabiliTrak® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The RZ doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Equinox EV uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The RZ 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 power windows standard on both the Equinox EV and the RZ have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Equinox EV is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The RZ prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Equinox EV the driver can close them all from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the RZ can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Equinox EV has a standard rear wiper. The RZ doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Chevrolet Equinox outsold the Lexus RZ by over 21 to one during 2024.