2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

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 top-tier version boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system. However, despite its premium appearance, some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, each catering to different needs, from off-roading to luxury.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E embraced a modern, electric aesthetic while paying homage to its Mustang heritage. The Mach-E's design incorporated iconic Mustang elements, such as galloping horse emblems and tri-bar taillights, which helped it gain popularity. The GT trim, in particular, stood out with its aggressive styling, unique wheels, and dark front panel. Inside, the Mach-E GT offered a luxurious experience with artificial leather and synthetic suede seats, complemented by copper stitching. The cabin's high-tech ambiance was enhanced by metallic and gloss-black trim, along with two rectangular display screens. Overall, the Mach-E successfully blended style, quality, and technology, appealing to both traditional Mustang fans and new EV enthusiasts.

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, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, surpassing its predecessor. Fuel efficiency also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. 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 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of powertrains, with the GT Performance Edition standing out for its extended-range battery and AWD layout. This version produced 480 horsepower and 634 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds. The Mach-E GT's driving range was estimated at 418 kilometres. It featured multiple driving modes, including an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. The Mach-E's ride quality was firm, but its handling and braking were impressive. During testing, the Mach-E GT demonstrated better-than-expected efficiency, consuming 22.9 kWh per 100 kilometres.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a quiet and comfortable ride. Its cabin featured soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the Sequoia's interior space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, resulting in reduced cargo capacity compared to its predecessor. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Despite these limitations, the Sequoia provided ample storage options, including an adjustable cargo shelf.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E prioritized functionality with its crossover SUV design. It accommodated up to five passengers and offered 965 litres of cargo space, including a front trunk. The Mach-E GT's interior featured performance seats with unique upholstery and a well-organized centre console. Rear passengers enjoyed sufficient legroom and a panoramic glass roof. The Mach-E's cargo capacity expanded to 1,691 litres with the rear seats folded, and its frunk provided additional storage space.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with connected services and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the display suffered from glare, and some features required workarounds. The Capstone trim included a head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E boasted a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A platform. It offered wireless smartphone integration, FordPass Connect services, and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. Sync 4A's user-friendly interface simplified access to various features, including climate control and energy usage data. The Mach-E also featured Phone As A Key technology, allowing drivers to use their smartphones as keys.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features such as 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 safety ratings with the Tundra.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. BlueCruise 1.2 added new features like lane-change and predictive speed assist. The Mach-E received top safety ratings from the IIHS and was a Top Safety Pick for 2022 and 2023. However, NHTSA ratings were incomplete at the time of review.