2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

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 was characterized by 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, featuring 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 was a focal point of the interior, although some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro trim, while the TRD Off-Road offered a more budget-friendly option with off-road capabilities.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe had a more conservative exterior design compared to some of Hyundai's other models. The five-passenger SUV was available in four trims in Canada, all featuring standard all-wheel drive. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim, tested in the U.S., showcased a rich Stormy Sea paint and a black interior with Nappa leather seats. The Santa Fe's cabin was high-quality but dark, with options for beige or grey interiors to add contrast. The SUV offered a range of comfort features, including heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The Santa Fe's design was understated yet elegant, with wide grilles and thin LED headlights adding a touch of distinction.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine with a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup 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 rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the SUV's steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engine options: a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged version delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged engine, available in the Urban and Ultimate Calligraphy trims, provided brisk acceleration and smooth performance. The Santa Fe featured a drive-mode selector with Comfort, Sport, Snow, and Smart modes, enhancing its versatility. The turbocharged model could tow up to 1,587 kilograms, while the non-turbo version had a towing capacity of 907 kilograms. The Santa Fe's handling was smooth, with minimal body lean during cornering, and the dual-clutch transmission performed well without clunkiness.

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 climate control system. The Sequoia's interior featured power-deploying running boards and a panoramic glass moonroof, although 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, with only 325 litres available behind the third row. Folding the seats expanded cargo capacity to 2,460 litres, but this was still less than the previous model and its competitors.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its two-row configuration, provided ample rear-seat legroom and cargo space. The SUV offered 1,060 millimetres of rear-seat legroom and 1,032 litres of cargo space behind the second row. Folding the seats increased storage to 2,041 litres, with additional underfloor storage available. The Santa Fe's interior featured comfortable seating, dual-zone climate control, and a range of convenience features, including a hands-free smart liftgate and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The panoramic sunroof and head-up display added to the SUV's appeal, although the wide centre console limited driver leg space.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as connected services with an Intelligent Assistant. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with Bluetooth pairing. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the SUV's technology suite.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in technology, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with customizable settings and voice recognition capabilities. However, the voice recognition system struggled with certain commands, requiring precise terminology for successful operation.

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. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward-collision avoidance, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The SUV received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. The Santa Fe's safety features provided peace of mind, with reminders for rear-seat passengers and safe-exit warnings.