2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Subaru Outback

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was a standout with its elevated stance, offering 23 centimetres of ground clearance, which was a centimetre more than other Outback models. This gave it a more rugged appearance, akin to a Jeep rather than a traditional station wagon. The vehicle featured aggressive all-terrain tires, oversized fender protection trim, and restyled bumpers that improved its approach and departure angles. Unique design elements such as a distinctive grille, black 17-inch wheels, and Anodized Copper accents added to its appeal. The interior was dominated by dark grey and black tones, with StarTex water-repellant upholstery and Anodized Copper stitching. Despite the lack of ventilated seats, the cabin was equipped with heated seats and a black headliner, creating a cohesive and purposeful design.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a bold design that combined the look of the Toyota Tundra with a newly styled SUV body. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper gave it a more refined appearance compared to the Tundra's aggressive styling. Inside, the Sequoia Capstone trim level featured an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes. A massive 14-inch infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. Despite its upscale appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia's design was both striking and functional, offering a blend of luxury and practicality.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 277 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 4,800 rpm. This engine provided ample power for the midsize SUV, which weighed 3,896 pounds and had a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Fuel efficiency was rated at 10.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 8.9 on the highway. The Outback Wilderness featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, though its performance was somewhat hindered by the CVT's droning and soft gear changes. The vehicle's all-wheel drive system, combined with its 23 cm ground clearance and all-terrain tires, made it highly capable off-road. The Wilderness trim also included a dual function X-Mode traction system and hill descent control, enhancing its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain that produced 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 rpm. This setup allowed the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms (9,120 pounds) in Canada, a significant improvement over the previous model. Fuel efficiency was also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the vehicle's performance to their preferences. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times. Despite these drawbacks, the Sequoia's hybrid powertrain provided robust power and improved fuel economy.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness featured dark gray StarTex upholstery, which was water-repellant and simulated leather. While this material was effective in preventing moisture absorption, it could be uncomfortable in hot weather. The Outback offered heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. Rear seat passengers enjoyed generous head and legroom, along with rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The cargo area provided 920 litres of space behind the rear seat and 2,144 litres with the rear seat folded flat. The Outback's roof rack could support a 700-pound static load, making it suitable for rooftop camping.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable front seats and a JBL premium audio system. The Sequoia's triple-zone automatic climate control system included heated and ventilated front and rear seats. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though they could be cumbersome for taller individuals. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The Sequoia's cargo capacity was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, offering only 325 litres with the third-row seat in place and 2,460 litres with all seats folded. Despite these limitations, the Sequoia's interior was spacious and well-appointed.

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness came with an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that integrated climate control. While physical knobs and buttons were provided for basic functions, most controls required the use of the touchscreen. The voice recognition technology was limited, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered superior functionality. The Outback Wilderness lacked a premium audio system, which was available in other Outback trims.

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

The 2022 Subaru Outback Wilderness was equipped with the EyeSight suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Wilderness trim also included steering-responsive LED headlights and a blind-spot warning system. The Outback Wilderness had not been crash-tested, but the standard Outback received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. The Sequoia's safety systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping could be irritating. The Sequoia had not been crash-tested, but the Tundra, on which it was based, received high safety ratings.