2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 stood out with its distinctive styling, diverging from the rest of the Genesis lineup. It featured the brand's signature two-line lighting, creating an illusion of a contiguous circle around the vehicle. The GV70's design was unique, with a shoulder line and accent lines that set it apart from other Genesis models. The Sport and Sport Plus grades boasted a sculpted hood and dark chrome finishes, enhancing its sporty appeal. Customers could choose from over 100 colour combinations, with exclusive options for the Sport grades. The cabin featured an elliptical theme, with premium materials like quilted leather and carbon fibre inserts, offering a luxurious experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold design, inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its industrial-themed interior, especially in the Capstone trim, combined leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The Sequoia's cabin was dominated by a 14-inch infotainment system, and the Capstone trim offered a cream white-over-black colour scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, each catering to different needs, from off-roading to luxury. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the TRD Off-Road provided a more affordable option with essential off-road features.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options, with the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 being the highlight. This engine delivered 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, positioning the GV70 against mid-level performance competitors like the BMW X3 M40i and Audi SQ5. The GV70's power figures were impressive, and its fuel consumption was estimated at 11.6 L/100 km combined. The vehicle featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, prioritizing the rear axle for optimal performance. The Sport Plus grade included an electronic limited-slip differential, enhancing its handling capabilities. The GV70 offered various drive modes, with Sport mode providing a balanced performance for everyday driving.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 hybrid powertrain, delivered 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain allowed the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms, surpassing its predecessor's capabilities. The new Sequoia was more fuel-efficient, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. During testing, the Capstone trim averaged 13.2 L/100 km. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+, but its ride quality varied depending on the mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times. Despite these challenges, the Sequoia's powertrain provided improved performance and fuel efficiency.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 prioritized driver-centric design, with a tall centre console and intuitive controls within easy reach. The infotainment system was controlled by a raised dial, and climate controls were configured under a single pane with haptic feedback. Standard features included heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, with ventilated seats available on higher trims. The rear space offered a panoramic sunroof and manual sunshades, but storage was limited. The GV70 provided 819 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,610 litres with the seats folded. Overall, the GV70's ergonomics and functionality were above average.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with comfortable front seats and a premium audio system. The Capstone trim featured a panoramic moonroof, but it reduced second-row headroom. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was mounted high, affecting comfort. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, offering only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,460 litres with all seats folded. Despite its hybrid advantages, the Sequoia's utility was reduced compared to its predecessor and rivals.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 impressed with its technology offerings, including a 14.5-inch high-definition infotainment screen. The system supported split-screen layouts and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The premium Sport Plus grade featured a 3D digital instrument cluster and a fingerprint recognition system. A nine-speaker audio system was standard, with an 18-speaker Lexicon surround sound system available on top grades. The GV70's technology was advanced and user-friendly.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia system, with a 14-inch touchscreen on most trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with Bluetooth pairing. Despite these challenges, the Sequoia's technology offerings were comprehensive.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came equipped with ten standard safety features, including blind spot collision avoidance, lane departure warning, and forward collision avoidance. The Highway Driving Assist system offered lane centring and automatic lane changing functions. A new rear occupant alert system used radar to detect movement in the second row. While safety ratings were not yet available, the GV70's onboard systems were of high quality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included all available driver-assistance features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This package offered forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sequoia's safety systems were effective, and while crash test ratings were not available, the Tundra's high rating boded well for the Sequoia.