2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Toyota RAV4

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, a staple in the crossover SUV market, continued to build on its legacy of practicality and style. Initially launched in North America in 1996, the RAV4 was embraced by young buyers for its compact size and versatility, setting the stage for a new category of "cute utes." Over the years, the RAV4 evolved, growing in size and sophistication, and by 2022, it had become a mature crossover SUV, often topping sales charts in Canada. The exterior of the 2022 model featured angular flourishes and crisp lines, with expressive headlights and a distinctive grille that gave it a playful yet aggressive look. Inside, the RAV4 boasted a layered dash with contrasting textures and colours, anchored by a straightforward centre stack and a touchscreen interface positioned for minimal driver distraction. The interior design was cohesive, with a geometric pattern tying together various elements of the cabin.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made a bold statement with its redesigned exterior, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The Sequoia's styling was more assertive than its predecessor, with a traditional grille and front bumper that distinguished it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" appearance. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The dashboard was dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. Despite its upscale appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins. The Sequoia's lineup included various trims, each offering different features and capabilities, with prices ranging from $79,335 to $95,335, including destination charges and fees.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 offered a choice of three powertrains, catering to a range of driving preferences. The gasoline-only model featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available on all but the base model. Fuel economy for the gasoline model was commendable, with ratings of 8.8 L/100 km in the city and 6.8 on the highway for FWD models. The RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with an electric motor, delivering 217 horsepower and impressive fuel economy of 5.8 L/100 km in the city. The RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid was the powerhouse of the lineup, boasting 302 horsepower and the ability to travel up to 68 kilometres on electricity alone. The RAV4's handling was car-like, with a four-wheel independent suspension and dynamic torque vectoring for improved cornering.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was equipped with a robust hybrid powertrain. Its twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, combined with a 36-kilowatt electric motor, produced an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms, a significant improvement over the previous model. Fuel efficiency was also enhanced, 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 SUV's performance to their preferences. However, the Sequoia's ride quality varied depending on the mode, with Sport and Sport+ providing better control over ride motions but potentially impacting fuel economy. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system could feel unresponsive, particularly in urban driving situations.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4, while classified as a small SUV, offered impressive cargo capacity. With the second row in place, it could hold up to 1,059 litres of luggage, expanding to 1,977 litres with the seats folded flat. The RAV4's towing capacity varied by model, with the Trail and TRD Off-Road models capable of towing up to 1,588 kilograms. Inside, the RAV4 provided ample space for four adults, with comfortable front seats and a well-designed cabin featuring numerous storage options. The middle seat in the second row was less desirable but still functional for short trips.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with features like heated and ventilated seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the Sequoia's interior space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo capacity was also reduced compared to the previous model, with only 325 litres available behind the third row. Folding the seats expanded the space to 2,460 litres, but this was still less than its segment rivals. The Sequoia's adjustable cargo shelf provided some flexibility, but the overall utility was diminished.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a range of technology features, starting with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and expanding to a 9-inch screen with an 11-speaker JBL audio system on higher trims. Standard features included Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The RAV4 Prime offered additional tech, such as multiple USB ports, a 120-volt AC power outlet, and a bird's-eye view camera system.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sequoia also offered connected services, allowing for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with Bluetooth pairing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the SUV's technological offerings.

The 2022 Toyota RAV4 was equipped with Toyota's Star Safety System, which included features like vehicle stability control, traction control, and anti-lock braking. The RAV4 also came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering driver-assist systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic emergency braking. The RAV4 received high safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included a comprehensive suite of safety features as standard, bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. This package offered forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While crash test ratings were not available at the time of review, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS, suggested strong safety performance.