2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold redesign, merging the rugged aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly styled SUV body. This transformation gave the Sequoia a more commanding presence compared to its predecessor. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches in the Capstone trim, such as leather, wood, and metallic finishes. However, some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox, while not as flashy as some competitors, maintained an attractive and practical design. Its restrained bodywork and compact profile gave it a spacious feel, with a chunky front end that made the grille appear smaller. The Equinox came in four trims: LS, LT, RS, and Premier, all available with FWD or AWD. Inside, the Premier trim featured two-tone leather upholstery and standard heated front seats. Although the interior felt somewhat dated, it was practical and user-friendly, with a traditional PRNDL shift lever and ample storage. The Confidence and Convenience II package added desirable features like lumbar adjustments and adaptive cruise control.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, significantly improving towing and payload capacities compared to the previous model. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also saw improvements, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg for 4WD and 22 mpg for RWD. Despite its power, the Sequoia's ride quality varied depending on the driving mode, with Sport mode offering the best balance of performance and comfort. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt inconsistent, but the Custom mode allowed drivers to tailor settings to their preferences.

The 2023 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 175 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for city driving, the Equinox struggled with acceleration at higher speeds. Its six-speed automatic transmission held gears longer, contributing to engine noise. The AWD system required manual engagement, but the new brake-by-wire system improved braking performance. The Equinox's suspension handled bumps well, and its steering was precise, making it enjoyable to drive in most situations.

The Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable seating and a premium sound system. However, the panoramic sunroof reduced second-row headroom, and the third-row seats lacked comfort due to the high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with seats folded. The hybrid powertrain's battery pack compromised overall utility, making the Sequoia less spacious than its rivals.

The Chevrolet Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with seats folded. While not the largest in its class, it provided ample passenger space, with good headroom and legroom. The interior featured higher-quality plastics and practical storage solutions. The Premier trim's power liftgate operated quietly, adding convenience.

The 2023 Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 and a 14-inch version in higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Intelligent Assistant responded well to voice commands, though some glitches were noted. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety and convenience.

The Equinox's technology was straightforward, with a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and an 8-inch version in the Premier. The system was easy to use, with good voice recognition and customizable icons. All trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the Premier trim adding a wireless charging pad. The driver-information display, though simple, provided useful features.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, including features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's platform shared high ratings with the Tundra.

The Chevrolet Equinox included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. However, it lacked level two autonomous driving technology. The NHTSA awarded it five stars overall, but the IIHS gave it lower ratings in certain crash tests.