2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

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 top-tier version boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a 14-inch infotainment system. However, some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, each catering to different preferences, from off-road capabilities to luxury features.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, shedding its predecessor's image entirely. The new Trax was longer, lower, and wider, borrowing styling cues from the midsize Chevy Blazer. This redesign gave the Trax a more commanding presence, setting it apart from competitors like the Hyundai Venue and Nissan Kicks. The Trax offered a range of trims, including the rugged Activ and sporty RS, each with distinct styling elements. Inside, the Trax featured a modern design with a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents. Higher trims offered Evotex upholstery and unique design touches, though some materials, like piano-black plastic, were prone to smudging.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine with a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, significantly enhancing towing capacity to 4,137 kilograms. Despite its power, the Sequoia was more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, achieving 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving. The SUV offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the experience to their preferences. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and its regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a smaller 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. While less powerful than its predecessor, the new engine offered a quicker acceleration to 100 km/h. The Trax's six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive configuration contributed to its car-like handling, with a wider track providing a more stable feel. The Trax excelled in nimble handling, reminiscent of small hatchbacks, though it still exhibited some body roll. Despite its econobox nature, the Trax impressed with its refinement, thanks to active noise cancellation and a balanced ride quality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a premium JBL audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. 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. Cargo space was limited to 325 litres with the third-row seats in place, expandable to 2,460 litres with all seats folded. Despite these limitations, the Sequoia offered practical features like power-deploying running boards and a panoramic glass moonroof.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, while larger overall, offered mixed results in terms of interior space. Rear-seat legroom increased by 7.6 cm, but headroom decreased slightly. The Trax provided a car-like driving position with excellent outward visibility. Cargo space improved by 12%, offering 725 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,532 litres with them folded. While not the largest in its class, the Trax's cargo capacity was competitive, and its interior design prioritized comfort and practicality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with connected services and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the system occasionally experienced glitches, and the display suffered from glare. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant tech upgrades, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims and an 11-inch screen on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available for the first time. The Trax's infotainment system was user-friendly, with crisp graphics and a logical layout. The optional digital instrument cluster provided additional information, compensating for the lack of a head-up display. The Trax also offered multiple USB ports for front and rear passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash-test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's safety features were impressive.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered a range of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear park assist. The Trax also featured the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behaviour and provided feedback to parents. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.