2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Lexus GX

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 infotainment system. However, some materials reminded occupants 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 Lexus GX embraced a more geometric and aggressive design compared to its predecessor. The new model featured a less pronounced spindle grille, flanked by standard triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's exterior was characterized by minimal character lines and a low window beltline, enhancing visibility for off-road adventures. Inside, the GX offered a minimalist and sophisticated design, with fewer physical buttons and a focus on essential controls. The interior provided ample space for front and second-row passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. The GX's cargo space was impressive, especially in the Overtrail models, which prioritized off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a hybrid powertrain, combining 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 setup delivered 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. Despite its power, the Sequoia's ride quality varied depending on the driving mode, with Sport mode offering the best balance of performance and comfort. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Lexus GX, on the other hand, featured a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. Built on the GA-F truck platform, the GX offered a stiffer chassis for improved stability both on and off-road. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the standard full-time 4WD system included a locking Torsen limited-slip centre differential. The Overtrail packages added a locking rear differential and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) for enhanced off-road performance. During testing, the GX demonstrated impressive acceleration and braking, with a composed ride on-road and off-road capabilities that were not fully tested due to weather conditions.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with features like soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the panoramic glass moonroof reduced second-row headroom, and the third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 1,387 litres with the seats folded. The hybrid powertrain's battery pack compromised overall utility, making the Sequoia smaller inside than its rivals.

The 2024 Lexus GX offered a more minimalist and sophisticated interior, with rotary knobs for climate control and essential off-roading features. The first and second rows provided ample space for adults, while the third row was best suited for children. The GX excelled in cargo space, with 292 litres behind the third row, expandable to 1,138 litres with the seats folded. The Overtrail models offered even more cargo capacity, making the GX a leader in its class for storage.

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. However, glare on the display was an issue, and some features required a subscription. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing safety and convenience.

The 2024 Lexus GX boasted a 14-inch touchscreen, integrated with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with additional USB-C ports and a 120-volt outlet for convenience. The Drive Connect subscription service provided an intelligent voice assistant, though some features required a paid subscription. The GX's audio system varied by package, with the Luxury, Overtrail+, and Executive packages featuring a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included 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, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 Lexus GX received significant safety upgrades with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning with steering assist. The proactive driving assist feature enhanced safety during highway driving. Although crash test ratings were not yet available, the GX's modern architecture and advanced safety features inspired confidence in its safety performance.