2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid

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 trim level boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system. Despite its high-end appearance, some materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a more conservative design with a technical front resembling an angry robot. Its sporty black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim added a touch of flair, while the rear quarter view offered an upscale appearance with Volvo-adjacent taillights. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid Touring trim featured leather seats with orange contrast stitching, a soft-touch dashboard, and sophisticated details like metal mesh air vent covers. The cabin exuded quality, making it a standout in the compact SUV segment.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain that delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms, a significant improvement over its predecessor. Fuel efficiency was also enhanced, 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. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup produced 204 horsepower and delivered power to all four wheels. The CR-V Hybrid was rated at 6.4 L/100 km in combined driving, but our test vehicle returned 8.7 L/100 km on a mountainous loop. The CR-V Hybrid offered a compliant ride with predictable handling, though the steering effort was unusually heavy. Overall, the CR-V was easy to drive, but it lacked the off-road capability and excitement of some competitors.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather 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 with the third-row seat in place, expandable to 2,460 litres with all seats folded. The hybrid powertrain's battery pack compromised overall utility, making the Sequoia smaller inside than its rivals.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid impressed with its quality materials, intuitive controls, and spacious interior. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, and the rear seats offered generous legroom and comfort. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo area measured 1,028 litres, expandable to 2,030 litres with the rear seats folded, making it one of the most spacious in its class. The wide-opening rear doors and ample storage options added to its practicality.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but glare on the display was an issue. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, though it occasionally misinterpreted requests. The Capstone trim offered a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 9-inch infotainment display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system in the Touring trim. Pairing devices was straightforward, but the voice recognition system was basic and struggled with conversational commands. The CR-V Hybrid also featured a walk-away automatic locking system, providing peace of mind.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's platform shared high safety ratings with the Tundra.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Hybrid trims added blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, though it fell short of the Top Safety Pick+ due to a poor rating in the updated moderate overlap front test.