2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

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 newly creased and kinked body gave it a distinctive look, setting it apart from its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with upscale touches like leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the Capstone trim. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior's cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme added a touch of luxury. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade, towering nearly two metres above the ground, was a statement of luxury and presence. Its design cleverly masked its size with thin LED lights and darkened chrome elements in the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was a marvel of space efficiency, offering generous headroom and legroom across all three rows. The dashboard featured a 38-inch curved screen array with exquisite wood trim options, and the seats boasted intricate perforation patterns. However, some components, like the heated seat controls and shifter, were shared with less expensive GM vehicles, detracting from the overall luxury experience. Despite this, the Escalade's interior was a testament to Cadillac's commitment to passenger comfort and space.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity was impressive, with a maximum rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada, surpassing the previous model's 3,356 kilograms. Fuel efficiency improved significantly, 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 Cadillac Escalade featured a standard 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engine producing 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. While the V8 provided ample power for towing up to 3,629 kilograms, it felt heavy during passing situations. The Escalade-V variant addressed this with a supercharged Corvette V8 engine delivering 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. Cadillac also offered a 3.0-litre Duramax turbodiesel V6, which provided smooth torque delivery and better fuel economy at 10.5 L/100 km combined. The Escalade's 4WD system was rudimentary, but its magnetic ride control dampers and optional air suspension enhanced ride quality and maneuverability. Despite some wind noise at highway speeds, the Escalade's performance was commendable for a vehicle of its size.

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 front seats were heated and ventilated, and the panoramic glass moonroof added a touch of luxury. However, the second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof, and cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain. 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 provided 2,460 litres of cargo capacity, but this was significantly less than its competitors.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted an exceptionally spacious interior, with 722 litres of cargo space behind the third row, 2,064 litres behind the second row, and a massive 3,426 litres with both rows down. The Escalade ESV variant offered even more space, making it a leader in passenger and cargo capacity. The interior featured simple and intuitive controls, with a smart infotainment system and multiple gauge layouts. An optional front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience, while the air suspension eased loading and unloading. The tailgate's separate glass window was a thoughtful touch for pet owners. However, the second-row seats were not powered like the third row, which was a minor drawback in an otherwise well-designed interior.

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. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the display was prone to glare, and the Intelligent Assistant had some quirks during testing. The Sequoia's tech suite included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and parking sensors with automatic braking, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a technological powerhouse, featuring a vast array of OLED screens across the dash. The front camera displayed a high-resolution feed with augmented reality navigation, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard. Super Cruise, a hands-free highway driving system, was a standout feature, offering advanced driver assistance with infrared eye-tracking cameras. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection and a 36-speaker AKG audio system. The front seats offered massage functions, and the rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu, making the Escalade a tech-savvy luxury SUV.

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, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking were also standard. While the Sequoia had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, the Tundra, on which it was based, received high ratings from IIHS.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a Safety Alert seat, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera. Optional features like reverse emergency braking and Super Cruise enhanced safety, though the reverse braking system occasionally activated erroneously during testing.