2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid borrowed styling cues from the Tacoma pickup, featuring a trapezoidal grille and upright fascia that gave it a rugged appearance. However, its side profile introduced a swooping character line that added unnecessary visual weight, making it appear somewhat bloated. The rear design echoed the front grille, but the overall look felt disjointed compared to more cohesive designs like the Kia Telluride or Honda Pilot. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid's asymmetrical dash was less jarring, with a metallic styling element that provided storage space and broke up monotony. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned high for easy visibility, but the Bronze Edition's fabric upholstery was a questionable choice, attracting dirt and lacking durability. While other trims offered more conventional materials, the Highlander Hybrid's interior quality lagged behind competitors, though it remained one of the few hybrid options in its class.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, made a bold statement with its redesigned exterior, drawing inspiration from the Tundra pickup. Its traditional grille and front bumper gave it a more SUV-like appearance, while the interior shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, featuring leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The Sequoia's cabin boasted a massive 14-inch infotainment system and a luxurious two-tone colour scheme. Despite its upscale appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices ranging from $79,335 to $95,335. While the TRD Pro trim offered off-road capabilities, the Sequoia's ground clearance and angles suggested less capability than its predecessor. The TRD Off-Road trim provided a more affordable option with off-road features, making it a versatile choice for those seeking adventure.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a hybrid system, delivering 243 horsepower. It featured a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and standard all-wheel drive, with an electric motor powering the rear axle for added traction. The Highlander Hybrid accelerated to 100 km/h in just over eight seconds, slightly slower than gasoline-only SUVs in its class. The hybrid powertrain provided a quick but tepid response from a standstill, with the gasoline engine taking over for sustained acceleration. While the engine hum was subtle under light pressure, it became a drone when pushed harder. The Highlander Hybrid offered a soft ride quality, with a suspension that smoothed over bumps, and a quiet cabin on the highway, making it a comfortable family vehicle.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a robust hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator. This setup produced an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. While it lacked the rumble of the previous V8, the new V6 offered increased towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. The Sequoia was more fuel-efficient, achieving 11.7 L/100 km with 4WD, compared to the previous model's 16.4 L/100 km. The Sequoia's driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowed for customization, but the ride quality could be busy and jittery in Normal mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive, but the Sequoia's power and torque made it a formidable performer.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid offered well-cushioned front seats with ample adjustments, though the driver's door armrest was awkwardly positioned. Storage options were plentiful, with trays, shelves, and a large centre armrest bin. The second-row seats provided generous head- and legroom, with sliding and reclining captain's chairs for added versatility. A second-row bench was available, increasing passenger capacity to eight. The third-row seat was less accommodating, suitable for occasional use by children. Cargo space behind the third row was 453 litres, expanding to 1,370 litres with the seats folded, and 2,387 litres with the second row stowed.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, with comfortable front seats, a premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The cabin featured a wide, padded door panel shelf for arm comfort. Power-deploying running boards aided entry, though taller individuals might find them unnecessary. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding capability, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised, with 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the Sequoia's overall utility was reduced compared to its predecessor.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch option available on top trims. The system was responsive, with logical menus and physical shortcut buttons. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless charging on higher trims. Navigation and a JBL premium audio system were included on Limited and Platinum trims.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a new Toyota Audio Multimedia system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch display on higher trims. The system was intuitive, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for directions. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's tech successfully prevented accidents, with parking sensors and automatic rear braking.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The systems generally worked well but required some fine-tuning.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking were also standard. While crash tests were pending, the Sequoia's safety features were impressive.