2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its design from the 2022 model year, with the exception of the Rock Creek trim level. It featured a blend of futuristic and traditional design elements, such as its angular C-pillar and modern headlights, creating a look that was both forward-thinking and timeless. Inside, the Pathfinder offered a clean and sensible layout, making it both visually appealing and practical for everyday use. The trims available were S, SV, SL, Rock Creek, and Platinum, each offering a range of features from basic to luxurious, including various seating adjustments, infotainment systems, and rugged off-road capabilities in the Rock Creek version.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, showcasing design cues like hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior appearance varied significantly with color choices, with the Capstone model in Celestial Silver appearing more subdued, while brighter colors like Solar Octane orange gave it a more playful look. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, with physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered a mix of fabric, SofTex, and leather options. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, though the third row's elevated position due to the hybrid battery pack compromised headroom and legroom slightly.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power boost, with 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered through a 9-speed automatic transmission, with options for front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, though the latter was more akin to a traditional 4WD system. The Rock Creek trim featured off-road enhancements like a taller suspension and all-terrain tires, though these made for a rougher ride on paved roads. The Pathfinder's engine provided ample power for city and highway driving, and its rotary drive mode dial offered various settings for different terrains. The Rock Creek and certain other trims could tow up to 6,000 pounds, making it a versatile choice for those needing towing capabilities.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available as a hybrid, utilizing the iForce MAX powertrain with a twin-turbo V6 engine and an electric motor. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, a significant increase over its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim was designed for off-road use, featuring a part-time 4WD system with selectable modes and a skid plate. Other trims offered 4WD as an option. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth operation, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was typical for its class. The TRD Off-Road package added features like all-terrain tires and an electronic locking rear differential. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity was 9,520 pounds, with various towing-related upgrades available.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 80.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 45 cubic feet, and with all seats upright, 16.6 cubic feet. The first two rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. Optional second-row captain's chairs facilitated access to the third row. The Pathfinder featured 12 cupholders and four bottle holders, along with numerous storage compartments. The Rock Creek trim's roof rack could hold up to 220 pounds, though its proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both rear rows folded. Behind the second row, it provided 49 cubic feet, and behind the third row, 11.5 to 22.3 cubic feet, depending on seat position. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, though the third row's elevated position due to the hybrid battery pack reduced headroom and legroom. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs were wide but lacked bolstering. Legroom was generous in the first and second rows but more limited in the third row, placing it behind some rivals in terms of space.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 9-inch system, with both offering user-friendly interfaces. While the graphics were not the most advanced, the system's ease of use was a highlight. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and voice recognition. The SV trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the SL trim offered wireless Apple CarPlay and additional USB ports. The Platinum trim included further USB ports, ensuring connectivity for all passengers.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim was equipped with a 14-inch touchscreen, while the SR5 trim had an 8-inch version. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system was functional, if not visually striking. A 12.3-inch driver-information display was standard across all trims, providing clear and attractive graphics. The Panoramic View monitor was also standard, aiding in maneuvering the large vehicle. A 10-inch color head-up display was available on higher trims, and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was standard on the top trims, offering a premium audio experience.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder included a range of standard driver assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot monitoring. The SV trim added ProPilot Assist with lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The SL trim included front parking sensors and a 360-degree parking monitor, while the Platinum trim added rain-sensing wipers and a head-up display. The Pathfinder's off-road mode provided camera views for obstacle monitoring.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. It also had front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with Trailer Merge Warning. The Tow Technology Package, available on certain trims, added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The Sequoia had not been rated by safety organizations, but its Tundra sibling received a Top Safety Pick+ designation.