2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Lincoln Aviator

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 more commanding appearance than 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 interior was dominated by a large 14-inch infotainment system, and while it looked luxurious, 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, which offered enhanced capabilities, though the Sequoia's ground clearance and approach angles were less impressive than the previous model.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator was a midsize crossover that exuded elegance with its modern Lincoln face and grille. The Aviator Grand Touring model featured a twin-turbo V6 engine paired with a hybrid system, offering impressive power and standard all-wheel drive. Prices ranged from $73,400 to $85,400, with the fully loaded Grand Touring model priced at $103,745 in Canada. The Aviator's interior was a blend of luxury and technology, with features like electric door handles, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the cabin's design was busy, with a mix of materials and colours that might not appeal to everyone. The third-row seating was cramped, making it less suitable for adults. Despite its stylish appearance, the Aviator's wheel designs were considered plain, and the vehicle's key fob felt cheap for its price range.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid system that delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms, a significant improvement over the previous model. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. During testing, the Sequoia averaged 13.2 L/100 km on a mountainous route. The SUV offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, but its ride quality was occasionally jittery, especially in Normal mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring was a plug-in hybrid that combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 494 horsepower and 630 pound-feet of torque. It offered 34 kilometres of electric driving range and averaged 10.3 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The Aviator featured multiple driving modes, including Pure EV, Preserve EV, Conserve, Normal, and Excite. During testing, the Aviator achieved 1.4 L/100 km when relying on electric power. The SUV's handling was commendable, with an adaptive suspension that provided a smooth ride. However, the drivetrain's responsiveness was inconsistent, and the regenerative braking system required careful attention for smooth stops. The Aviator was quiet and comfortable, but its steering was heavy and numb, making it less engaging to drive.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a quiet and comfortable ride with features like heated and ventilated seats, a JBL audio system, and a panoramic sunroof. However, the third-row seating was cramped due to the high floor and low roof, and the cargo space was limited compared to its rivals. With the third-row seat in use, the Sequoia offered 325 litres of cargo space, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. Folding the third-row seats increased capacity to 1,387 litres, while folding the second-row seats provided 2,460 litres. Despite its hybrid powertrain's benefits, the Sequoia's overall utility was compromised.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator prioritized comfort with features like a four-zone climate control system, massaging front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The second-row captain's chairs were spacious, but the third-row seating was cramped, making it unsuitable for adults. With the third-row seats in use, the Aviator offered 519 litres of cargo space, expandable to 1,183 litres with the seats folded. Maximum cargo capacity was 2,200 litres, making it less spacious than some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the display was prone to glare. The system included an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands, though it occasionally struggled with accuracy. The Sequoia also had a head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and parking sensors with automatic braking.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring came with a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Sync 3 software. While it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot, the voice recognition system was outdated and struggled with complex commands. The Aviator featured a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system, wireless charging, and a digital key system. The head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses, and the SUV had parking sensors and a surround-view camera system.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. It also had 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 high ratings with the Tundra.

The 2023 Lincoln Aviator offered a range of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and forward-collision warning. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The Aviator's safety systems performed well on highways, though the lane-keeping system struggled in curves. The standard Aviator received high safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.