2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Genesis GV80

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 Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system. However, despite its premium appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins.

In contrast, the 2024 Genesis GV80 exuded luxury with its elegant design and high-end materials. The Prestige trim offered a choice of six exterior colours and stylish 22-inch wheels, while the interior featured diamond-stitched Nappa leather, a suede headliner, and metallic accents. Ambient lighting, a 3D digital instrument cluster, and a wide touchscreen display further emphasized its status as a flagship SUV. The GV80's design left no doubt about its luxury credentials, and while the Prestige Signature trim was exclusive to the U.S., the regular Prestige trim offered a similar level of opulence.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with 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 an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 4,137 kilograms, and its fuel efficiency improved to 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. Despite its power, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and its regenerative braking system felt unresponsive. The SUV offered multiple driving modes, but the ride quality varied depending on the mode selected.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV80's 3.5T model featured upgraded front brakes and an adaptive damping suspension, providing a rewarding driving experience. The GV80's fuel economy was rated at 10.5 L/100 km, but real-world testing showed 13.7 L/100 km. The SUV's steering was unremarkable, but the overall driving experience was luxurious and communicative.

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. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres available behind the third row, expandable to 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The Sequoia's hybrid powertrain compromised its overall utility, reducing cargo capacity compared to the previous generation.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 3.5T Prestige offered a third-row seat, but the seating comfort was lacking, with diamond-stitched surfaces feeling like bubble wrap. The cabin's storage space was commendable, with 988 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 2,378 litres with the seats folded. Despite its luxurious features, the GV80's seating comfort was a drawback on long trips.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, but some features were buggy. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment display, controlled via a round dial on the centre console. The infotainment system included navigation, SiriusXM, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GV80 also featured a digital key system, a Lexicon premium sound system, and a head-up display. The user interface was simple and intuitive, with minimal glare on the display.

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, and more. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Tundra's high IIHS rating was promising for the Sequoia.

The 2024 Genesis GV80 offered advanced driving-assistance systems, including a Blind-Spot View Monitor, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The GV80 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact tests.