2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2022 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, which featured a trendy blacked-out exterior trim. This edition sat in the middle of the Ascent lineup, offering a sporty appearance with black 20-inch aluminum wheels, unique grille design, and special interior trim. The Onyx Edition's interior was wrapped in water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather, available only in a grey two-tone scheme with light grey stitching. While the blacked-out treatment gave the Ascent a sporty look, the StarTex material had a tendency to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable feature, though they were only available on the Ascent Premier.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a bold redesign, merging the look of the Toyota Tundra with a newly creased SUV body. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper gave it a distinct presence, setting it apart 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. The Capstone's interior was luxurious, with a cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia's design was a matter of personal preference, with its bold styling and luxurious interior.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) as standard. The Ascent's fuel consumption was rated at 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined, with our testing averaging 11.5 L/100 km. The CVT offered eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, providing brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent's towing capacity was up to 2,270 kilograms, and its X-Mode off-road traction control system enhanced its off-roading capability.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was powered by 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 hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's maximum tow rating was 4,137 kilograms, significantly higher than the previous model. Fuel efficiency improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in 4WD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, though its ride quality was busy and occasionally jittery. The regenerative braking system felt unresponsive, but the Sequoia's power and torque made it a formidable performer.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could accommodate up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The Ascent offered a comfortable driving position and was equipped for winter weather with features like heated front seats and a wiper de-icer. The second-row seats were easy to access, and the available captain's chairs provided additional comfort. Cargo space was generous, with 458 litres behind the third row, 1,193 litres behind the second row, and a maximum of 2,061 litres with both rows folded.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering comfortable front seats with soft leather upholstery and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but did not slide forward, limiting third-row space. The Sequoia's cargo capacity was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the Sequoia's overall utility was reduced compared to its predecessor.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. The Touring trim added an 8-inch display with Starlink connected services. The system's voice recognition technology needed improvement, and the Onyx Edition's standard stereo speakers lacked sonic quality. Additional technology features were reserved for the Premier trim, including a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree-view front camera.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came with a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Intelligent Assistant responded to a "Hey Toyota" wake word. The Sequoia offered simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, though there were some issues with the system during testing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the Sequoia's technological offerings.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent received a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in rollover resistance. The Ascent came standard with EyeSight driver-assist technology, which included adaptive cruise control and lane-centring technology. However, EyeSight's performance was affected by direct sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights and reverse automatic braking.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, 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 were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping was irritating. The Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the Tundra on which it was based received high ratings.