2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Subaru Outback

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 compared to 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 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the interior was available in a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. 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 offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the TRD Off-Road provided a more budget-friendly option with off-road features.

The 2023 Subaru Outback received a facelift, featuring a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray cladding. The Outback's aggressive appearance was further enhanced by a simulated skid plate, fog lights, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold design. The Outback was available in seven trims, with prices ranging from $32,695 to $46,395, excluding destination charges. The Limited trim, tested in Cosmic Blue paint with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery, offered a cohesive and upscale interior. While some hard plastics were present, they didn't detract from the overall quality. The Outback's large infotainment screen and gloss black trim were prone to collecting dust and smudges, but the interior remained appealing and functional.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with 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 hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous 5.7-litre V8, the new V6 offered improved towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. During testing, the Capstone averaged 13.2 L/100 km on a mountainous evaluation loop. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. While the CVT made good use of the power at lower speeds, passing and climbing power was limited. The Outback's towing capacity was 1,225 kilograms. Fuel efficiency was slightly disappointing, with an average of 9.2 L/100 km during testing. The Outback XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-litre flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, providing better performance but lower fuel efficiency. The Outback's suspension tuning was excellent, offering a firm ride at lower speeds and a smooth experience at higher speeds. The Outback handled well, with decent steering and capable brakes, but the standard engine left something to be desired in terms of power.

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 front seats were comfortable, and the heated steering wheel and power-folding mirrors added convenience. However, the second-row captain's chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat was less comfortable than competitors, with limited legroom and thigh support. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 631 litres. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 2,460 litres, significantly less than its predecessor and competitors.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Limited trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable front seats, premium Nappa leather upholstery, and heated seats. The Outback's cabin was spacious, with ample legroom and storage options. Cargo space measured 923 litres behind the back seat and 2,141 litres with the back seat folded down. The Outback's roof rack was robust, ready for accessories, and the flat door sills served as steps for easy access. While the Outback could benefit from more practical storage space, it remained a versatile and functional vehicle.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base TRD Off-road 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 issues with Bluetooth pairing and glare on the display. 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 were effective, preventing potential collisions.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, came with a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Physical controls included volume and tuning knobs, while other functions were embedded in the touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with subscription-based Starlink connected services available. The infotainment system was improved but still had room for enhancement, particularly in voice recognition. Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera. While a surround-view camera was not available, the Outback's technology package was comprehensive and functional.

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, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The Sequoia's adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system could be irritating. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight technology, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centring assist. Higher trims added blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change assist. EyeSight also included an Automatic Emergency Steering system for obstacle avoidance. The Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems were accurate, they could feel artificial. The rear automatic braking system had limitations in certain situations.