2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its imposing size and distinctive design elements. Its massive grille, LED daytime running lights, and taillights were scaled to match its grand proportions, reminiscent of classic Cadillac tailfins. The front end, with its tall hood and vertical running lights, gave the impression of a diesel locomotive. The Escalade's styling set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs, emphasizing its bulk. The 22-inch wheels appeared small against the vast sheet metal, and the vehicle offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models. Despite sharing its body-on-frame architecture with other GM SUVs and trucks, the Escalade maintained its luxury appeal, although its interior lacked a cohesive design theme. Leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof were available, but the presence of cheap-looking plastic detracted from the overall luxury feel.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, with its bold styling inspired by the Toyota Tundra, presented a more commanding presence than its predecessor. Its design was a matter of personal preference, but it shed the "manta ray on wheels" look of the Tundra. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior boasted a cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. While the Sequoia Capstone appeared luxurious, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $79,335 to $95,335, including destination charges. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capability, while the TRD Off-Road provided a more affordable option with off-road features.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices, both shared with other GM SUVs and trucks. The standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 produced 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, while the optional Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine delivered 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and a standard four-wheel-drive (4WD) drivetrain in Canada. The Escalade diesel impressed with its smooth power delivery and low torque peak, making it easy to drive in various situations. However, the hard brake pedal didn't inspire confidence. The gasoline engine had a slight advantage in towing capacity, with a maximum of 3,629 kilograms, but the Escalade's ride felt unsettled, even with independent rear suspension and available air suspension. It lacked the off-road capability of its GM cousins and fell short of competitors like the Lincoln Navigator and Grand Wagoneer in comfort and composure.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the rumble of the previous V8, the new V6 offered improved towing capacity, with a maximum rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. The Sequoia was more fuel-efficient, with a combined rating of 11.7 L/100 km in 4WD mode. During testing, it averaged 13.2 L/100 km in RWD mode. The Sequoia's driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. However, the ride quality was busy and occasionally jittery, especially in Normal mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive. Despite these issues, the Sequoia's powertrain and fuel efficiency were notable improvements.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a spacious cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, although the Lincoln Navigator provided more second-row headroom. The Escalade featured second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat. It excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third-row seats folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the front seats lacked the luxury feel expected in a high-end vehicle. Cadillac did include dedicated buttons for seat heating and ventilation, as well as large sun visors.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the heated steering wheel and power-folding mirrors were standard. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs didn't slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat was mounted above the battery pack, resulting in a high floor and low roof, making it less comfortable than competitors. Cargo space was limited, with 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the third-row seat forward. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain compromised overall utility, with a maximum cargo capacity of 2,460 litres, significantly less than its predecessor and rivals.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade featured an elaborate 38-inch curved OLED display, consisting of three screens. It included a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch screen for trip-computer functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The display blended seamlessly into the dashboard, with icons arranged for functionality. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations was awkward, and the rotary controller felt like an afterthought. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and the rearview camera mirror eliminated blind spots. Additional tech features included a head-up display, night vision, and an augmented-reality navigation system. The 19-speaker AKG Studio sound system was standard but challenging to tune.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came with a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and connected services allowed for user accounts and a guest mode. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, although it occasionally provided incomplete results. The system allowed simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, but there were issues with making calls through Apple CarPlay. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display, but it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. The Sequoia Platinum and Capstone trims featured a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented collisions.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assistance features, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims. Super Cruise, a sophisticated driver-assist system, was available as an option. It allowed for hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways and used a driver-facing camera for safety. While the Escalade's safety features were impressive, crash test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included all driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems made highway driving easier, although the lane-departure warning system was slightly irritating. Crash test ratings for the Sequoia were not available, but the Tundra, on which it is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.