2022 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Cadillac Escalade

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, showcased a mature design that had remained largely unchanged since its last major overhaul in 2008. Despite its age, the Sequoia maintained a classic aesthetic with a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight body lines. Its dimensions were substantial, standing at 1,956 mm tall, 2,030 mm wide, and 5,210 mm long, with a wheelbase of 3,099 mm. The SUV's interior, however, felt dated compared to modern trends, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in the current market. Nevertheless, the Sequoia's interior was built with high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity, making it suitable for families.

In contrast, the 2022 Cadillac Escalade made a bold statement with its unapologetically large size and distinctive styling elements. Its front end, reminiscent of a diesel locomotive, featured a tall hood, vertical running lights, and horizontal headlights. The Escalade's design set it apart from other GM full-size SUVs, emphasizing its bulk with 22-inch wheels that appeared small against its vast sheet metal. The Escalade offered different trim pieces for "sport" and "luxury" models, catering to diverse tastes. Inside, the Escalade boasted a luxurious cabin with leather upholstery, wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof, although it lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite some cheap-looking plastic bits, the Escalade's interior was spacious and well-appointed.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a single powertrain option: a 5.7-litre i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, a lockable Torsen limited-slip centre differential, and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of up to 608 kilograms and a maximum towing capacity of 3,221 kilograms. Despite its hefty weight of around 2,721.5 kilograms, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its robust body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade offered two powertrain choices: a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, and a Duramax 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six diesel engine producing 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD in Canada. The Escalade's gasoline engine had a maximum towing capacity of 3,629 kilograms, slightly more than the diesel. However, the Escalade's ride was less refined, with a body-on-frame construction that felt unsettled compared to unibody SUVs. Despite its truck DNA, the Escalade lacked the off-road capability of its GM cousins.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows with ample headroom and legroom. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and heated front seats as standard. The Sequoia's cargo space was generous, with 535 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,886 litres with the third row folded, and a massive 3,401 litres with both rear rows folded flat. The interior also provided ample storage options, including a large centre console and glove compartment.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade shared its body shell and chassis with other GM full-size SUVs, resulting in a cavernous cabin. It offered the most first-row and third-row legroom among full-size luxury SUVs, with standard second-row captain's chairs and a power split-folding third-row bench seat. The Escalade excelled in cargo space, with 722 litres with all seats in place, 2,064 litres with the third row folded, and 3,426 litres with all rear seats folded. However, the raised centre console limited storage space, and the seats, despite being power-adjustable with massage and lumbar support, felt similar to those in GM's other SUVs.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch TFT driver information screen. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, the system's clunky operation was a drawback. The Sequoia Platinum and TRD Pro added navigation and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade boasted an impressive 38-inch curved OLED display, comprising three screens: a 14.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.9-inch touchscreen, and a 7.2-inch trip-computer screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The Escalade's infotainment system was well-integrated into the dashboard, with functional icons and physical toggles for climate control. However, the carousel format for changing radio stations and the rotary controller were less user-friendly. The Escalade's OLED screens provided excellent resolution for the 360-degree camera system, and it offered advanced features like night vision and augmented-reality navigation.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, but it was equipped with several standard safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P suite included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a full complement of airbags.

The 2022 Cadillac Escalade came with standard driver-assistance technology, including cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. The Escalade's vibrating Safety Alert Seat provided warnings for these features. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on higher trims, with Super Cruise available as an option. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving on pre-mapped highways, using a driver-facing camera for safety. However, the Escalade lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.