2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Honda CR-V was often noted for its conventional appearance, blending seamlessly with the myriad of compact crossovers on the market. Its design was characterized by a uniform "daylight opening" that mirrored its competitors, making it difficult to distinguish from other vehicles in its class. While the CR-V did feature some unique elements, such as its grille and chromed plastic accents, these were not significant enough to make it a standout choice based on aesthetics alone. The color palette offered by Honda was somewhat limited, with a predominance of neutral tones and only a few vibrant options available on higher trims. Inside, the CR-V's interior was modern, with angular seat designs and a choice of materials that improved with higher trims, though it faced stiff competition from more distinctively styled rivals like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia maintained a classic and mature design, having remained largely unchanged since its last major update in 2008. Its exterior was marked by a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, presenting a balanced and timeless look. The Sequoia's substantial dimensions and ground clearance contributed to its imposing presence, while its interior, though well-constructed and durable, appeared dated compared to more modern SUVs. The Sequoia's Nightshade Special Edition attempted to modernize its appearance with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, but the overall design still reflected its age. Despite this, the Sequoia's robust build and spacious interior made it a practical choice for families needing a reliable and capacious vehicle.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine across all trims, excluding the hybrid variants. This engine provided smooth and steady acceleration, reaching 60 mph in approximately 7.8 seconds. While not the fastest in its class, the CR-V's performance was competitive, with no significant acceleration advantage among its rivals. The CR-V featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which, while efficient, lacked the engagement offered by the conventional automatic transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option, similar to most of its competitors except the Subaru Forester, which offered standard AWD. The CR-V's suspension setup, consisting of a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear, provided decent handling and ride quality.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and, in 4WD models, a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential and two-speed transfer case. The Sequoia's truck-based construction contributed to its impressive payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its substantial weight, ranging from 5,730 to 6,000 pounds, resulted in less favorable fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway for RWD models and 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway for 4WD models. Despite its heft, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities enhanced by its body-on-frame construction and independent double-wishbone suspension.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed with practicality in mind, offering 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. This made it a versatile choice for families needing to transport both passengers and gear. The CR-V's tailgate options varied by trim, with manual, power, and hands-free versions available. Roof rails were standard only on the top-tier Touring trim, limiting its utility for carrying additional cargo on the roof.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, with spacious seating across all three rows and features like three-zone climate control and a power moonroof. The Sequoia's cargo area offered 18.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded and 120.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down. This made it an excellent choice for families needing ample storage for long trips or outdoor activities. The Sequoia also featured convenient storage solutions throughout the cabin, including a large center console and door pockets.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim featured a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims offered a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim boasting a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful in all but the base trim, with USB ports and a 12-volt outlet available throughout the cabin. The Touring trim also included a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology was somewhat outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it did offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, as well as WiFi connectivity and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Limited trim added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, while a premium package included a 14-speaker JBL audio system. Despite its dated infotainment system, the Sequoia featured modern LED exterior lighting and standard safety technology like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a suite of advanced safety features standard across all trims, such as a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, which included pre-collision systems with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and the STAR safety system, which included stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. A full complement of airbags and other safety features were standard across all trims.