2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition, or 40 ASE, was based on the SR5 trim level and added $3,330 to its price. This special edition featured retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. It was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup for 2023 included several trims, with prices ranging from $51,050 to $66,220, plus a $1,930 destination charge. The 40 ASE test vehicle had no options and an MSRP of $54,380. The 4Runner's design harkened back to truck-based SUVs of the past, with a solid and quality interior, easy-to-use controls, and a purposeful look.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup and featured design cues like hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model showcasing more chrome brightwork. Inside, the Sequoia resembled the Tundra with a blocky, geometric dash layout and physical dials and buttons. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable front seats and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof standard across the lineup.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive (4WD) in Canada, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time system and a full-time system on the Limited trim. Its fuel economy was rated at 13.8 L/100 km combined, and it had 24.4 cm of ground clearance. Off-roading capabilities included Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The 4Runner's performance was more suited to off-road adventures, with specific trims offering enhancements for on-road and off-road performance.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This hybrid setup improved fuel economy to 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. The Sequoia had a part-time 4WD system with a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD. The TRD Pro model included a skid plate and off-road features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. The Sequoia's towing capacity was 4,137 kilograms, with available towing-related upgrades. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate for its class.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique rear window that powered down into the tailgate, providing excellent ventilation. The interior offered comfortable seats, with ventilated leather seats available on the Limited trim. The 4Runner had dual-zone climate control and various storage locations, though some lacked rubber liners. The second-row seating was roomy, with good legroom and headroom, while the optional third-row seat was uncomfortable and reduced cargo space. The cargo area had several storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet. With the third-row seat option, cargo space was limited to 254 litres, while the standard five-passenger configuration offered 1,337 litres of cargo space.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, making it easier for shorter individuals to enter. The Sequoia offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. Behind the second row, it provided 1,387 litres, and behind the third row, it ranged from 325 to 631 litres. The second-row seats were easy to move for access to the back row, and the third-row seats folded at the push of a button, though they did not create a flat load floor. The Sequoia's interior dimensions included 995 mm of headroom in the front, 952 to 975 mm in the middle, and 904 mm in the back. Legroom ranged from 713 to 855 mm in the third row, 995 mm in the second row, and 1,041 mm in the first row. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, offering wide but flat seating.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges with a narrow digital driver information centre. The largest infotainment display was an 8-inch touchscreen, with real knobs and buttons for easy use. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with available upgrades like a navigation system and JBL premium sound. The voice recognition system performed well, though it had limitations with certain commands.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system was user-friendly, with a full-colour 12.3-inch driver information display standard across all trims. The Panoramic View monitor was standard on Platinum and Capstone trims, and a 10-inch colour head-up display was standard on Capstone. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on the Limited trim and standard on Platinum and Capstone.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner included Toyota Safety Sense features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.