2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Nissan Pathfinder

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 trim level boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a 14-inch infotainment system. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded drivers 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. The TRD Pro trim was recommended for off-roading enthusiasts, while the TRD Off-Road offered a more budget-friendly option with off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder carried over its redesign from the previous year, maintaining its modern aesthetic with futuristic headlights and an angular C-pillar. The interior was praised for its clean lines and practical layout, making it both visually appealing and user-friendly. The Pathfinder offered several trims, including the rugged Rock Creek, which featured off-road enhancements and a water-repellent interior. The SL trim added advanced features like ProPILOT Assist, while the Platinum trim offered premium amenities such as second-row captain's chairs and a digital instrument cluster. The Pathfinder's design and features aimed to provide a balance between traditional SUV elements and forward-thinking innovations.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, surpassing the previous model's capability. Fuel efficiency improved significantly, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the suspension could be busy and jittery in Normal mode, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight spaces. The regenerative braking system, while effective, felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. The Rock Creek trim offered a slight power boost, with 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. The Pathfinder featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The Rock Creek trim added off-road capability with a taller suspension and off-road shocks. While the off-road tires provided a rougher ride on paved roads, they offered comfort on trails. The Pathfinder's engine was smooth and quiet, but the new shifter design was criticized for being unintuitive. The Pathfinder included a rotary drive mode dial with various settings, including Eco, Sport, and All-Terrain modes. The Rock Creek trim had a maximum towing capacity of 2,720 kilograms, making it suitable for towing needs.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and a heated steering wheel was standard. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. 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 reduced overall cargo capacity compared to the previous model, with a maximum of 2,460 litres.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder offered up to 2,279 litres of cargo space with the second and third rows folded flat. With the second row in use, it provided 1,274 litres, and with all seats upright, 470 litres. The first two rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row accommodated adults for shorter trips. The Platinum trim featured second-row captain's chairs with a removable centre console. The Pathfinder had numerous cupholders and storage compartments throughout the cabin. The Rock Creek trim's roof rack was practical, holding up to 100 kilograms, but its proximity to the roof made snow removal challenging.

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 touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for directions. However, the system had some quirks, such as difficulty making calls via Apple CarPlay. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented collisions.

The 2023 Nissan Pathfinder came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a larger 9-inch screen on higher trims. The system was user-friendly, with real buttons and dials, but some found the graphics dated. The Pathfinder included Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher trims added wireless charging and additional USB ports. While not the most cutting-edge, the Pathfinder's tech features kept devices charged and connected.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional 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 Nissan Pathfinder offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and ProPilot Assist. Higher trims added features like front parking sensors, a 360-degree parking monitor, and a head-up display. The Pathfinder received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, indicating excellent safety performance.