⌘K
Home›Compare›Equinox vs Highlander
Head-to-head

2021 Chevrolet Equinox vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

On the public data alone the Equinox edges it 3–1.

D

2021 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Equinox FWD, is EPA-rated a…

vs
D

2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Highlander Hybri…

2021 Chevrolet Equinox2021 Toyota Highlander
SegmentCompact SUVCompact SUV
PowertrainsGasHybrid, Gas
Best combined mpg2836
Safety Signal6865
NHTSA recalls45
Critical recalls00
Owner complaints91520
NHTSA overall stars55

Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.

Recalls at a glance

Source: NHTSA

Equinox

▲high

Child Seat

N232403240
668,187 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."RiskThe inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.FixOwners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
NHTSA campaign 23V339000reported May 11, 2023General Motors, LLC
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

N222372310
23,323 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The fuel pump module may not consistently provide sufficient fuel to the engine, resulting in an engine stall.RiskAn engine stall increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 5, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372310.
NHTSA campaign 23V013000reported Jan 19, 2023General Motors, LLC
▲high

Tires

N212343560
9,597 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.RiskTread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.
NHTSA campaign 21V612000reported Aug 5, 2021General Motors, LLC

Highlander

▲high

Seats

26TB06 / 26TA06
550,007 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.RiskA seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August 27, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota’s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.
NHTSA campaign 26V128000reported Mar 5, 2026Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
▲high

Tires

SET24A
4,763 vehicles
ProblemSoutheast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."RiskTires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.FixSET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.
NHTSA campaign 24V452000reported Jun 18, 2024Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
▲high

Air Bags

23TA15, 23LA03
999,901 vehicles
ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.RiskAn air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.
NHTSA campaign 23V865000reported Dec 20, 2023Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing