2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Toyota 4Runner

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 version boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a 14-inch infotainment system. Despite its high-end appearance, some 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, although the Sequoia's off-road capabilities were somewhat limited compared to its predecessor.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, particularly the 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE), was based on the SR5 trim and added retro body stripes, a heritage grille, and bronze accents for an additional $3,330. This special edition was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included several trims, with prices ranging from $51,050 to $66,220. The 4Runner's design harkened back to truck-based SUVs of the past, offering a rugged and timeless appeal. Inside, the cabin was functional, with plenty of plastic but solid construction. The controls were straightforward and easy to use, even with gloves on. The 4Runner's retro styling and practical interior made it a favourite among those seeking a classic SUV experience.

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. 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 the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission sent power to a standard 4WD system, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time system and a full-time system on the Limited trim. Its fuel economy rating was 13.8 L/100 km in combined driving, and it averaged 13.9 L/100 km during testing. The 4Runner excelled in off-road conditions, with features like Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select. The TRD Sport and Limited trims focused on on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims enhanced off-road capabilities. Despite its off-road prowess, the 4Runner's on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration, heavy steering, and inconsistent braking.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable front seats, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and power-folding mirrors. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked adjustability, impacting third-row space. The third-row seat was less comfortable than competitors, with limited legroom and thigh support. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, offering 325 litres with the third-row seat in place and 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The lack of a power liftgate window was a notable change from previous models.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner offered a unique feature with its power-down rear window, providing excellent ventilation. The interior featured comfortable seats, with the Limited trim offering ventilated leather seats. The 4Runner's second-row seating was spacious, with good legroom and headroom. A third-row seat was available but reduced cargo space and comfort. The cargo area included storage cubbies, trays, and a 120-volt AC power outlet. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner offered 1,337 litres of cargo space, making it a practical choice for a midsize SUV.

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 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but glare was an issue, especially in the Capstone trim. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant, although some features had limitations. The Capstone trim also 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 in preventing accidents.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner's technology was more traditional, with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Upgrades included a navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The voice recognition system performed well, although it had limitations with certain commands. The 4Runner's technology was straightforward and user-friendly, appealing to those who preferred simplicity.

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 features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The Sequoia's adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist were effective, although the lane-departure warning could be irritating. Crash test ratings were not available, but the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner also featured Toyota Safety Sense, with forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-departure warning was annoying. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.