2024 Jeep Wrangler 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 trim level boasted a luxurious cream white-over-black two-tone interior, dominated by a massive 14-inch infotainment system. However, despite its high-end appearance, some interior materials reminded drivers of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, from the off-road-ready TRD Pro to the more affordable TRD Off-Road, each offering different levels of capability and features.

In contrast, the 2024 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic rugged appearance, with a body-on-frame design that was consistent across all models. The Wrangler introduced a redesigned grille for the year, enhancing airflow to the engine bay, and integrated the antenna into the windshield to prevent snagging during off-road adventures. The Wrangler offered a variety of roof options, from traditional soft-tops to power-retractable sunroofs, and allowed for customization with removable doors and foldable windshields. The interior featured new wheel designs and a focus on off-road capability, with trims like the Rubicon X and Rubicon 392 showcasing larger all-terrain tires. The Wrangler's design catered to those seeking adventure, with features that enhanced its off-road prowess.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, allowing the Sequoia to tow up to 4,137 kilograms (9,120 pounds) in Canada. The hybrid system also improved fuel efficiency, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. Despite its power, the Sequoia's ride quality varied depending on the driving mode, with Sport and Sport+ modes offering better control over ride motions. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt heavy and unresponsive at times, but the Custom mode allowed drivers to tailor the vehicle's dynamics to their preferences.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of powertrains, from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower to a 6.4-litre V8 producing 470 horsepower. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-litre engine with electric motors, delivering 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, along with 35 kilometres of all-electric range. The Wrangler's off-road capabilities were enhanced by various transfer cases and locking differentials, with the Rubicon trim featuring the Rock-Trac transfer case. The 4xe Rubicon included an Offroad+ mode for sand dune driving and rock crawling. While the Wrangler excelled off-road, its on-road ride quality was less refined due to its solid front axle, though sound deadening improvements made the cabin quieter.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a comfortable cabin with features like soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-deploying running boards for easier access. However, the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof, and the cargo space was limited by the hybrid powertrain. With the third-row seat in place, the Sequoia offered 325 litres of cargo space, expandable to 631 litres by sliding the seat forward. Folding the seats down provided up to 2,460 litres of cargo capacity, but this was still less than its predecessor and competitors.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler saw an upgrade in towing capacity, with certain models now able to tow up to 2,268 kilograms (5,000 pounds). Inside, the Wrangler offered heated seats and a heated steering wheel, with new 12-way power adjustable front seats that remained functional even when submerged. The 4xe model featured a 30-amp Power Box, allowing for the use of various accessories. The Wrangler's interior was designed for adventure, with practical features like the Power Box and improved towing capabilities enhancing its utility.

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 Capstone trim added a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with the Intelligent Assistant. The Sequoia's tech suite included multiple driver profiles and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Uconnect5, offering a cleaner interface and faster performance. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the system supported dual Bluetooth phone pairing and multiple user profiles. The Off-Road Pages provided detailed data for off-road enthusiasts, and a wireless hotspot was available. The Wrangler's tech upgrades improved usability and connectivity, making it more appealing to tech-savvy drivers.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While the Sequoia had not been crash-tested by major safety organizations, its platform sibling, the Tundra, received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 Jeep Wrangler introduced side-curtain airbags for the first and second rows, enhancing safety. Forward collision warning was standard on most trims, while other driver aids like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control were optional. The Wrangler had not been rated for 2024, but previous models received mixed ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. The addition of side-curtain airbags was expected to improve its safety scores.