2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, having undergone a redesign in 2022, maintained its modern aesthetic into 2023 with minimal changes. Its design cleverly combined futuristic elements, such as its distinctive headlights, with traditional SUV features, resulting in a vehicle that was both contemporary and timeless. Inside, the Pathfinder's cabin was characterized by clean lines and a practical layout, making it not only visually appealing but also user-friendly. The various trims offered in Canada, from the base S to the top-tier Platinum, provided a range of features, including all-wheel drive, heated seats, and advanced infotainment systems, catering to diverse consumer needs.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, showcasing a robust design with hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior's appearance varied significantly with colour choices, with the Capstone model featuring more chrome and a Celestial Silver finish that some found reminiscent of a "cop car." Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, with physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable seats across the lineup and a choice of moonroofs, enhancing its appeal to those seeking comfort and style.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek variant offered a slight power boost, with 295 hp and 270 lb-ft. Power was transmitted through a nine-speed automatic transmission to standard all-wheel drive, which Nissan referred to as four-wheel drive. The Rock Creek model featured off-road enhancements, including a taller suspension and off-road shocks, though this resulted in 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 other trims, except the base model, boasted a towing capacity of up to 2,720 kilograms.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively available as a hybrid, utilized Toyota's iForce MAX powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor. This setup produced an impressive 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than its V8 predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 11.7 L/100 km combined with four-wheel drive. It featured a part-time 4WD system with selectable modes and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model catered to adventure seekers with off-road tires, suspension, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, with optional towing upgrades available.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 2,279 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 1,274 litres, and with all seats upright, 470 litres. The interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom in the first two rows, while the third row was suitable for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console. The Pathfinder boasted numerous cupholders and storage compartments, and the Rock Creek's roof rack could hold up to 100 kilograms, though its proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both rear rows folded. Behind the second row, it provided 1,387 litres, and behind the third row, 325 to 631 litres, depending on seat position. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, but the third-row seats did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid battery pack. This affected headroom and legroom, with the Sequoia trailing some rivals in these areas. The Platinum and Capstone trims featured second-row captain's chairs, which were wide but lacked bolstering.

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 screen. While the system was user-friendly, some found the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included four USB ports, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SV trim added a third-row USB port, and the SL trim introduced wireless charging and an additional USB port.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim was equipped with a 14-inch touchscreen, while the SR5 had an 8-inch screen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A 12.3-inch driver information display was standard across all trims, and the Panoramic View monitor was included in the Platinum and Capstone trims. The Capstone also featured a 10-inch head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL audio system, standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, collision warning, pedestrian detection, and ProPilot Assist with lane centring and adaptive cruise control. The SV trim added front parking sensors and a 360-degree monitor, while the SL trim included traffic-sign recognition. The Pathfinder earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though NHTSA ratings were incomplete.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, featuring a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were also standard. The Platinum and Capstone trims offered a trailer backup guide. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Tundra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation.