Compare the2026 Chevrolet Equinox EVVS 2027 Rivian R2

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Equinox EV are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The R2 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV offers an optional HD Surround Vision and it also offers an optional rear camera washer to make backing always safe, regardless of road dirt or grime, while the Rivian R2 doesn’t offer a camera washer, requiring manual cleaning.

Both the Equinox EV and R2 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Equinox EV has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The R2’s Rear Cross-Traffic Warning doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Equinox EV and the R2 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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.

There are over 29 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Rivian 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 Rivian vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 96 more problems per 100 vehicles, Rivian is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Rivian vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chevrolet 9 places higher in reliability than Rivian.

On the EPA test cycle the Equinox EV gets better mileage than the R2:

For better traction, the Equinox EV’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the R2 (275/40R21 vs. 265/60R20).

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 R2’s standard 60 series tires. The Equinox EV’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the R2’s 60 series tires.

The Chevrolet Equinox EV’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Rivian R2 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 R2 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Equinox EV’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the R2’s (38.1 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

For excellent aerodynamics, the Equinox EV has standard flush composite headlights. The R2 has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The Equinox EV has .3 inches more front legroom, .9 inches more front hip room and .8 inches more front shoulder room than the R2.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Equinox EV’s liftgate can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The R2 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

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 R2 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Equinox EV has a higher standard payload capacity than the R2 (1172 vs. 1102 lbs.).

The Equinox EV offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The R2 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Equinox EV has a standard rear wiper. The R2 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Equinox EV’s optional Enhanced Automatic Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The R2 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Chevrolet Equinox EV, based on reliability, safety and performance.