2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Subaru Forester

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 distinctive look, setting it apart from 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 in the Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, each offering different features and capabilities, with the TRD Pro being the choice for off-roading enthusiasts.

In contrast, the 2023 Subaru Forester maintained a more understated appearance, reminiscent of its predecessors. The Forester's design prioritized function over form, with a focus on practicality and simplicity. The Premier trim, however, added a touch of elegance with its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. Inside, the Forester offered a traditional Subaru design with brown leather and metallic accents in the Premier trim. The interior was functional, with a mix of buttons and knobs for easy control, and the cabin provided excellent visibility and ease of entry and exit. The Forester's design was busy but practical, making it a reliable choice for those who valued utility over style.

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 lb-ft of torque, allowing the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms. The hybrid system also improved fuel efficiency, 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 to their preferences. However, the ride quality could be busy and jittery, especially in Normal mode, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight spaces.

The 2023 Subaru Forester, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and Subaru's all-wheel-drive system. The Forester's powertrain was adequate for most driving situations, though it lacked the punch of a turbocharged engine. The Forester excelled in driving dynamics, offering a comfortable yet communicative ride with responsive steering and effective brakes. It handled well on various terrains, thanks to its X-Mode off-road traction control system. The Forester's fuel economy was rated at 8.2 L/100 km in combined driving, though it fell short of this mark during testing.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable and quiet cabin with features like a JBL premium audio system, triple-zone climate control, and heated and ventilated seats. However, the Sequoia's interior space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, resulting in reduced cargo capacity compared to its predecessor. The third-row seats were less comfortable, with limited legroom and thigh support. The Sequoia's cargo area offered 325 litres with the third-row seats in place, expandable to 2,460 litres with the second-row seats folded down. Despite its hybrid advantages, the Sequoia's overall utility was diminished compared to its rivals.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and spacious interior. The Forester's cabin provided excellent visibility and ease of entry and exit, making it a user-friendly choice. The Premier trim featured comfortable power-adjustable front seats, though the rear seats lacked sufficient leg support. The Forester's cargo area was well-designed, with 762 litres of space behind the rear seats, expandable to 1,957 litres with the seats folded down. The Forester's interior storage was plentiful, with various pockets and compartments for stashing belongings. Overall, the Forester offered a practical and functional interior, ideal for everyday use.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the display suffered from glare, especially in the Capstone trim. The Sequoia offered connected services, including an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands, though it had some limitations. The Capstone trim also included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's technology package was comprehensive, though some features had room for improvement.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology might have appeared outdated at first glance, but it offered a user-friendly experience. The Base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An 8-inch touchscreen was available, along with a navigation system and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Forester's older Subaru Starlink infotainment system was preferred for its physical controls and ease of use. However, the voice-recognition system was nearly useless, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better choice for navigation and other tasks. Overall, the Forester's technology was simple and effective, though not without its quirks.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, all standard. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While the Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, the Tundra on which it was based received high ratings, suggesting strong safety performance.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight collection of collision avoidance and driver assist technologies. It included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a new Automatic Emergency Steering feature. The Forester's safety systems performed well, though the Rear Automatic Braking system could be overly sensitive. The Forester received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, a step down from the previous year's Top Safety Pick+ award. The NHTSA awarded the Forester five-star crash-test ratings, indicating strong safety performance.