2022 Chevrolet Suburban vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban was a testament to Chevrolet's full-size truck design language, sharing its exterior styling with the Tahoe SUV and Silverado 1500 pickup. Its tall hood, long proportions, and large wheels gave it a commanding presence on the road. The Suburban offered a variety of grille, fascia, and wheel designs across its six trims, allowing for a degree of customization despite its single body style. Our RST test vehicle, with its Cherry Red Tintcoat exterior and 22-inch black-painted wheels, exuded a sporty vibe, enhanced by a monochromatic black grille and RST-specific badging. Inside, the Suburban's cabin ranged from comfortable on the base LS trim to luxurious on the High Country, with leather seats standard from the LT trim upwards. The RST's interior, featuring Jet Black perforated leather seats with Victory Red stitching, was spacious but felt somewhat dark due to the predominance of black materials.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its redesigned exterior, blending the rugged look of the Toyota Tundra with a newly styled SUV body. Its traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more aggressive appearance. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The Capstone's interior was luxurious, with a cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme and a massive 14-inch infotainment system dominating the dashboard. However, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included the TRD Off-road, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Capstone trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone. The Sequoia's off-road capabilities were notable, though its ground clearance and approach angles suggested less capability than its predecessor.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban offered three engine choices: a 5.3-litre V8, a 6.2-litre V8, and a 3.0-litre turbodiesel inline-six, all paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The base 5.3-litre V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, while the 6.2-litre V8 delivered 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The new 3.0-litre diesel engine offered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, providing excellent fuel efficiency and towing capability. The Suburban's maximum towing capacity was 3,765 kilograms, with the Max Trailering Package. Our RST test vehicle featured the 6.2-litre V8, which provided effortless power and acceleration, especially noticeable during a 130-kilometre tow test.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped 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 battery pack. This hybrid powertrain produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, allowing for a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency improved significantly, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. During testing, the Capstone averaged 13.2 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. 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 Suburban excelled in interior space, accommodating up to nine occupants with the optional front-row bench seat. Most models offered seven- or eight-passenger seating, with a third row that was comfortable for adults. The Suburban boasted 1,175 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 4,097 litres with the second and third rows folded flat. The power-sliding centre console and hidden storage drawer added convenience, though the Suburban's size made it challenging to maneuver and park in tight spaces. The switch to electronic push-button transmission controls was a notable change from the traditional column-mounted shifter.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was best suited for open roads, with a comfortable cabin featuring soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat was less comfortable than competitors, with limited legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The Sequoia's utility was reduced compared to its predecessor, though the adjustable cargo shelf offered some versatility.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban featured a range of technology, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and Google built-in on LT trims and above. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System included an 8-inch touchscreen on the LS and a 10.2-inch system on higher trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Suburban offered a WiFi hotspot and wireless device charging, with a nine-speaker Bose audio system standard on the LT and a 10-speaker system on the Premier and High Country.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came with a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, featuring a 14-inch touchscreen on most trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with connected services for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system provided added safety, though the infotainment system had some quirks during testing.

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban included the Chevy Safety Assist suite, with features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Suburban received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for front crash protection and five stars for side crash protection.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) as standard. This included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While crash tests were not available, the Tundra's high rating from the IIHS suggested strong safety performance for the Sequoia.