Compare the2025 BMW i4VS 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV

The i4’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The i4 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the i4 and the Equinox EV have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and available around view monitors.

The i4 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Equinox EV’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The i4’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Equinox EV’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the i4 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for tire rotations, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Chevrolet only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Equinox EV.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 11 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

The i4 has more powerful engines than the Equinox EV:

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW i4 is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox EV electric motors:

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox EV (base engine):

As tested in Car and Driver the i4 M50 electric motors is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox EV electric motor:

On the EPA test cycle the i4 gets better mileage than the Equinox EV:

The i4 xDrive40 18" Wheels can travel longer on a full charge than the Equinox EV AWD (287 miles vs. 285 miles).

The i4 has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Equinox EV doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

The i4 M50’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the i4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Equinox EV:

The i4 stops much shorter than the Equinox EV:

The i4’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Equinox EV’s standard 55 series tires. The i4 M50’s optional 255/35R20 front and 285/30R20 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the Equinox EV’s optional 40 series tires.

The rear suspension of the i4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Equinox EV, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The i4 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Equinox EV’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The i4 has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The i4 M50 handles at .96 G’s, while the Equinox EV RS pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The BMW i4 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the Chevrolet Equinox EV.

The i4 is 7.8 inches shorter in height than the Equinox EV, making the i4 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

The front grille of the i4 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the i4. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the i4 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for brake fluid replacement and vehicle inspections based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Chevrolet doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Equinox EV.

The i4’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Equinox EV’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

The i4’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access standard on the Equinox EV doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the i4 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Equinox EV doesn’t offer cornering lights. The i4 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The i4’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Chevrolet charges extra for heated mirrors on the Equinox EV.

The i4’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Equinox EV offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the BMW i4 and Chevrolet Equinox EV offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The i4 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Equinox EV’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

The i4 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Equinox EV.

The BMW i4 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Chevrolet charges extra for Homelink® on the Equinox EV.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW i4 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Equinox EV.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW i4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The i4 was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2023. The Equinox EV has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.