2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a notable facelift, featuring a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This design gave the Outback an aggressive appearance, further accentuated by a simulated skid plate, oversized fog light housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model. While these changes might not appeal to everyone, opting for a dark paint colour could help tone down the design's boldness. The Outback Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the cladding well, offering a more cohesive look.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared design cues with the Tundra pickup, including hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Capstone model, with its chrome accents and Celestial Silver colour, appeared somewhat dated, reminiscent of a "cop car." The Sequoia's interior mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric layout, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while the base SR5 TRD Offroad trim came with SofTex leatherette. The Sequoia offered power-adjustable front seats across the lineup, enhancing comfort and customization.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, but the vehicle felt underpowered, especially during passing and climbing. The Outback's fuel economy was disappointing, with a combined rating of 9.2 L/100 km, despite expectations of 8.3 L/100 km. The turbocharged XT models offered a more satisfying 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, albeit at a higher cost and reduced fuel efficiency. The Outback's CVT mimicked an eight-speed automatic, and its AWD system provided excellent off-road capabilities, aided by the X-Mode traction system and hill descent control.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively a hybrid, utilized the iForce MAX powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor. This setup delivered 427 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. The vehicle featured a part-time 4WD system with selectable modes and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model offered off-road enhancements, including unique tires and an electronic locking rear differential. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kg, with available towing upgrades.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack and flat door sill trim. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable heated seats wrapped in premium Nappa leather. The Outback provided ample legroom and cargo space, with 923 litres behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the seats folded. The vehicle's design facilitated easy entry and exit, and the robust roof rack was ready for accessories. However, the Outback could benefit from more practical storage space.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter individuals. The Sequoia offered up to 2,460 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded. The third-row seats, positioned above the hybrid battery, did not create a flat load floor, affecting headroom and legroom. The second-row captain's chairs, available on higher trims, lacked bolstering. Despite these limitations, the Sequoia provided competitive legroom in the front row.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, came with an 11.6-inch Starlink touchscreen infotainment system. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with subscription-based Starlink services. The system's usability improved, but the graphics and voice recognition were lacking. Additional technologies included a digital rearview mirror and a front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was unavailable.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim boasted a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashy design. The Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch driver information display and a Panoramic View monitor on higher trims. A 10-inch head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL audio system were standard on the Capstone.

The 2023 Subaru Outback emphasized safety with new EyeSight cameras and an electronic brake booster. It earned top marks from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Premier XT trim added a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian detection. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were also standard. The Sequoia's only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide. The 2024 Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.