2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Honda Pilot

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold and commanding presence, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its newly redesigned body featured sharp creases and kinks, giving it a more substantial appearance compared to its predecessor. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" look, offering a more conventional SUV aesthetic. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, showcasing an industrial theme with luxurious touches in the Capstone trim, such as leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, while the cream white-over-black two-tone interior added a touch of elegance. However, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck origins.

The 2023 Honda Pilot underwent a complete redesign, adopting a more rugged and substantial appearance. Its upright grille and boxier styling contributed to its larger dimensions, making it 8.6 centimetres longer, up to 3.8 cm wider, and 2 cm taller than the previous generation. The TrailSport model, in particular, embraced its all-terrain capabilities with a taller ride height, unique wheels, and underbody skid plates. Inside, the Pilot's interior took a more conventional approach, focusing on functionality and versatility. Materials quality met class expectations, and the cabin featured heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Pilot's design emphasized practicality, making it a preferred choice for those seeking a tidy and utilitarian aesthetic.

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. While it lacked the satisfying rumble of the previous 5.7-litre V8, the new V6 offered increased towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. Fuel efficiency improved significantly, with a combined rating of 11.7 L/100 km in 4WD mode. The Sequoia's driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowed for customization, but the suspension could be busy and jittery in Normal mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Honda Pilot featured an all-new 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and Honda's i-VTM4 AWD system. The Pilot's acceleration was quick and responsive, with a pleasant engine note. The brake pedal was soft and easy to modulate, providing smooth stops. The Pilot excelled in comfort, with light steering effort and minimal body roll. The TrailSport trim offered increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its off-road prowess, the Pilot maintained on-road composure and comfort, making it a versatile choice for family adventures. Towing capacity reached up to 2,268 kg, providing ample capability for various needs.

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, a panoramic glass moonroof, and second-row captain's chairs. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain compromised overall utility, with a maximum cargo capacity of 2,460 litres, significantly less than its predecessor.

The 2023 Honda Pilot offered a more conventional interior design, with a handy dash shelf and a seven-inch or nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, depending on the trim. The Pilot's cabin featured clever storage solutions, including a stowable second-row centre seat and ample space for passengers. The third row was less inviting but suitable for short trips. Cargo capacity was impressive, with up to 635 litres behind the third row and a maximum of 3,219 litres with all seats folded. The Pilot's power tailgate and versatile cargo area made it a practical choice for families.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base trim and a 14-inch display on higher trims. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with connected services and an Intelligent Assistant. However, glare on the display and occasional system bugs were noted. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2023 Honda Pilot's EX-L trim and above offered a larger touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and USB ports in every row. The Touring trim added a multi-view camera system, head-up display, and Bose premium audio. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quick responses and a logical layout. Honda's CabinTalk feature allowed for easy communication with rear-seat passengers, and the Touring trim included a navigation system and remote monitor.

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, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and a road sign recognition system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's safety features were comprehensive.

The 2023 Honda Pilot earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, the highest available. Standard Honda Sensing safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, traffic-jam assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors and surround-view camera systems. The Pilot's safety features functioned smoothly, providing confidence on the road.