2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, with its bold design inspired by the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The SUV's exterior featured a traditional grille and front bumper, which distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, offering an industrial yet upscale feel, especially in the Capstone trim. This trim level boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins.

In contrast, the 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, resulting in a classy and sporty appearance. Available in both a regular SUV and a Sportback version, the Q5's design was enhanced by a spoiler-like element above the taillights. Inside, the Q5 maintained a refined and simple layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The Q5's infotainment system featured a 10-inch touchscreen, and while materials quality was good, it no longer felt as special compared to newer competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a robust hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity was significantly improved, with a maximum rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. Fuel efficiency also saw enhancements, with a combined rating of 11.7 L/100 km in 4WD mode. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine options, starting with the base 40 TFSI quattro, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI quattro increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. All Q5 models featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5's handling was sporty and precise, with a good balance between compliance and cornering. However, the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, affecting initial acceleration.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The Sequoia's interior featured power-deploying running boards and a panoramic glass moonroof, though the latter reduced second-row headroom. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof, and cargo space was limited compared to previous models. With the third-row seat in its rearmost position, the Sequoia offered 325 litres of cargo space, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. Folding the second-row seats increased capacity to 2,460 litres.

The Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018 but continued to impress with its practicality and comfort. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. The Q5 offered good outward visibility and ample space for both front and rear passengers. Cargo space was generous, with up to 730 litres available behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 700 litres in the Sportback model. The Q5's storage solutions were practical, though some compartments were oddly sized.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for navigation. However, the system experienced some glitches during testing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the driving experience.

The Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims featured a Bang & Olufsen audio system and Audi's virtual cockpit, providing a customizable digital instrument panel. The Q5 also offered remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, with a Wi-Fi hotspot included in the Audi Connect Care service.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning five stars overall and a Top Safety Pick+ designation. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and matrix-design LED headlights.