2021 Subaru Crosstrek vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was a clever adaptation of the Impreza hatchback, designed to capture the growing market for crossovers with its rugged appearance, standard all-wheel drive (AWD), and elevated driving position. Subaru's strategy mirrored that of the Outback, which had successfully outlasted many station wagons in the U.S. market. The Crosstrek distinguished itself from the Impreza with black body cladding, model-specific alloy wheels, and a taller ride height, offering 22 centimetres of ground clearance. This gave it a more SUV-like character, enhanced by vibrant colour options like Plasma Yellow Pearl. Despite its SUV mimicry, the Crosstrek retained the Subaru Global Platform, ensuring a refined driving experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia continued its long-standing second generation, maintaining a mature design that had aged gracefully. Its exterior featured a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight body lines, giving it a substantial presence. The Sequoia's dimensions were impressive, with a height of 1,956 millimetres, a width of 2,030 mm, and a length of 5,210 mm, riding on a 3,099 mm wheelbase. With 32 centimetres of ground clearance, it offered optional running boards for easier access. Inside, the Sequoia's design felt dated compared to modern SUVs, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it boasted high-quality materials and a durable interior, making it suitable for families.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered two engine options: a new 2.5-litre boxer-four engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, standard on the Outdoor and Limited trims, and a 2.0-litre boxer-four engine with 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque for other trims. The boxer engine's low profile contributed to a lower centre of gravity, enhancing handling. While a six-speed manual transmission was available with the 2.0-litre engine, most buyers opted for the continuously variable transmission (CVT). All trims featured standard AWD, with X-Mode for improved traction on loose surfaces. Despite its SUV-like stance, the Crosstrek excelled on pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, it featured a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential and a two-speed transfer case for 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots provided a payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its weight of around 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable highway ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and independent double-wishbone suspension. The TRD Pro model further enhanced off-road performance with Fox shocks.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek shared its interior dimensions with the Impreza hatchback, offering the same front and rear legroom. It provided slightly more rear headroom and had a cargo capacity of 588 litres with the rear seats in place, expanding to 1,565 litres with the seats folded. While competitive in passenger space, the Crosstrek lagged behind some rivals in cargo capacity. It featured a rear-seat reminder system and a convenient cubby hole with USB and auxiliary ports. Despite its higher driving position, the Crosstrek didn't offer the commanding view of traditional SUVs, but it boasted excellent outward visibility.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The centre console and glove compartment provided generous storage, while rear passengers enjoyed cup holders and power access. The Sequoia's cargo compartment included a 12-volt outlet, accommodating 535 litres of luggage behind the third row. With the third row power-folded, cargo space expanded to 1,886 litres, and folding both the second and third rows created a cavernous 3,401 litres of space.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek featured Subaru's Starlink infotainment system with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The system included large analog knobs and buttons for essential functions, ensuring ease of use. EyeSight driver-assistance features were controlled via steering wheel buttons, enhancing safety.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the system lacked the modernity of competitors. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro added navigation and a JBL premium audio system. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and a rear backup camera.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety features included automatic high beams, reverse automatic braking, and blind-spot monitoring. However, EyeSight's cameras had limitations in certain conditions.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. It featured Toyota Safety Sense P, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The STAR safety system included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. The Sequoia also offered a full complement of airbags and other safety features.