2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent subtle styling changes, featuring a new grille, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights, along with minor updates to the rear fascia. The headlights were bisected by trim pieces extending from the grille, giving it a sleeker appearance. The grille appeared more upright and was flanked by large fake air intakes, making the Equinox look chunkier than its predecessor. Despite its car-based crossover design, the Equinox maintained a tall roofline and puffed-up front fascia, offering a balance between rugged and car-like aesthetics. The interior showcased a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents, complemented by decent materials and fit and finish. The RS model added black exterior trim, darkened wheels, and a black interior with red stitching, although the subdued interior was less appealing.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its redesigned three-row SUV, combining the look of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck with a newly creased SUV body. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" appearance. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. A massive 14-inch infotainment system dominated the dashboard, while the cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme added a touch of luxury. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $79,335 to $95,335, offering options for off-roading enthusiasts and those seeking a more refined experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. It featured a six-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive. While the Equinox boasted more torque than many rivals, it lagged in horsepower. The engine provided ample torque for city driving, but at higher speeds, the lack of horsepower became evident, resulting in a coarse and unresponsive feel. The automatic transmission's shifts were occasionally rough, and the Equinox's handling was not particularly sporty, lacking the refinement of competitors like the Honda CR-V.

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 produced an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, and it offered improved fuel efficiency, with ratings of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The Sequoia's driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowed for customization, but the ride quality varied depending on the mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive, but the Sequoia's power and torque made it a capable performer.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered seating for five across two rows, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was somewhat limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox provided a tall seating position and good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by small rear windows. The cargo space was near the bottom of the segment, with 847 litres with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded. A power liftgate was available, but the Equinox lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins.

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 Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was less comfortable than competitors, with limited thigh support and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres behind the third row and 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The Sequoia's adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the overall utility was reduced compared to the previous generation.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage, although the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, although it occasionally misinterpreted requests. The Sequoia offered simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, but there were some connectivity issues. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests, with a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and more. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.