2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Kia Seltos

The 2022 Kia Seltos was positioned between the smaller Kia Soul and the larger Kia Sportage, offering a range of four trim levels in Canada: LX, EX, EX Premium, and SX. Most trims came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), except for the Seltos LX, with prices ranging from $23,595 to $33,195, excluding a $1,850 destination charge. The U.S. model tested, the 2022 Kia Seltos Nightfall Edition, was similar to the top SX grade, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a turbocharged engine, and a dual-clutch transmission (DCT). The Seltos was a small SUV with a stylish interior, though it had an abundance of hard plastic that detracted from its overall appeal. The controls were logically arranged, but the infotainment system's purple accent colour was not universally liked.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a three-row SUV with a bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. It featured a more traditional grille and front bumper, giving it a distinct presence. Inside, the Sequoia shared many elements with the Tundra, especially in the upscale Capstone trim, which boasted leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The Capstone's dashboard was dominated by a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $79,335 and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone, including destination charges.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and EX Premium trims were equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SX trim featured a more powerful turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 175 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The Seltos provided a choice of driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Smart. The AWD system included a Lock function for power distribution, and the vehicle had a ground clearance of 18.5 centimetres. While the Seltos was lively in urban settings, its suspension tuning was less than ideal, leading to a bouncy ride on uneven roads.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a hybrid powertrain consisting of 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 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 a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The Sequoia featured multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but its ride quality was affected by the 22-inch wheels and all-season tires. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive, but the Sequoia's powertrain provided robust performance.

The 2022 Kia Seltos excelled in form and function, offering a spacious interior with easy access due to its ride height and large door openings. The driver's seat was adjustable, and heated front seats were standard on most trims. The rear seat provided ample space for adults, although the seatback angle was slightly reclined. The Seltos offered decent storage space, with a cargo capacity of 752 litres behind the rear seat and 1,778 litres with the rear seat folded down. The interior featured practical storage solutions, but the use of hard plastic on the upper door panels was a drawback.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was designed for comfort on open roads, with a quiet cabin and comfortable front seats. The Capstone trim featured soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, but the second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with 325 litres behind the third row and 1,387 litres with the third row folded. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain compromised its overall utility compared to previous models.

The 2022 Kia Seltos offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system starting at the EX Premium grade, paired with a Bose premium sound system on the SX trim. The system included Bluetooth, navigation, satellite radio, and smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the voice recognition system was frustrating to use, and the infotainment system's purple theme colour was not universally liked.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen on most trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, but there were occasional glitches. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system were effective in preventing accidents.

The 2022 Kia Seltos was equipped with numerous safety features, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance, and lane-keeping assist. The Seltos SX offered adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The Seltos received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. 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.