2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Volvo XC40 presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, characterized by its tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, aligning seamlessly with Volvo's current lineup. Notable features included the “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and a simple oval grille, with gasoline models offering a retro touch through a white contrasting roof. The XC40 Recharge differentiated itself with a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, and unique alloy wheels, alongside a gloss black roof and mirror caps. Despite these distinctions, the Recharge maintained a low profile, appealing to those seeking an electric vehicle without overt displays. The interior boasted a minimalist design with high-quality materials, including real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a cohesive and premium feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation since 2008, showcased a mature design with modestly sized grilles and elegant wheel arches. Its substantial dimensions—1,956 mm tall, 2,030 mm wide, and 5,210 mm long—contributed to its imposing presence. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior was crafted with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity. However, its design appeared dated compared to modern SUVs, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in the current market. The Nightshade Special Edition model, based on the Limited trim, exemplified Toyota's efforts to keep the Sequoia relevant, offering features like a 14-speaker JBL audio system and LED lighting.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a versatile powertrain lineup, with the electric Recharge model at the top. The gasoline variants featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T4 model delivered 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the T5 variant offered 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The Recharge model, sharing its powertrain with the Polestar 2, boasted dual electric motors providing all-wheel drive, with a combined output of 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. It utilized a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 4.9 seconds. The XC40 emphasized luxury and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on challenging roads, and offered a towing capacity of 900 kilograms.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This robust powertrain, combined with a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential and a two-speed transfer case, provided durability and reliability. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its weight of approximately 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities enhanced by its body-on-frame construction and four-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension. The TRD Pro model further improved off-road performance with Fox shocks.

The 2021 Volvo XC40, while not particularly spacious, offered clever storage solutions to compensate for its limited interior space. The centre console featured a removable trash bin, and the glovebox door included a bag hook. The Harman Kardon audio system's speakers were relocated to the dashboard, allowing for larger door bins. However, the XC40 Recharge's frunk was small, with much of the space occupied by powertrain components. Despite these limitations, the gasoline XC40 was competitive in interior space compared to rivals like the Audi Q3 and BMW X1.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering ample headroom and legroom across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard, with heated rear seats available on the Platinum grade. The Sequoia's cargo compartment was spacious, with 535 litres of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and 3,401 litres with both the second and third rows folded flat. The interior included numerous storage options, such as a large centre console, glove compartment, and door pockets, catering to the needs of a large family.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge introduced the Android Automotive OS infotainment system, featuring Google apps like Google Assistant and Google Maps, alongside conventional Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The system included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, with OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. The Recharge model also eliminated the start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob present.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system appeared outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it offered standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Platinum and TRD Pro trims added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and a rear backup camera, with front and rear parking sonar for added convenience.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received top safety ratings, with the gasoline model earning the “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and traffic-sign recognition. The Recharge model featured Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future driver aid advancements.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. The STAR safety system provided stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes, among other features. The Sequoia also included a full complement of airbags, LATCH connectors, and energy-absorbing crumple zones for enhanced safety.