2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Volvo XC90

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 premium appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of the Sequoia's pickup truck roots.

In contrast, the 2024 Volvo XC90 exuded a sense of understated luxury, with a focus on practicality, safety, and sustainability. The exterior paint options were earthy and subdued, aligning with the SUV's sophisticated image. Inside, the XC90's design was somewhat dated but featured high-quality materials, particularly in the Ultimate trim. Buyers could choose from wool-blend upholstery or ventilated Nappa leather, complemented by natural wood trim and an Orrefors crystal shift knob. Volvo offered a range of customization options, allowing customers to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery to suit their preferences.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with 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 hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity was impressive, with a maximum rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. Fuel efficiency improved significantly, with a rating of 11.7 L/100 km in combined driving with 4WD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the SUV's performance to their preferences.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. This setup produced 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, distributed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The XC90 offered 53 kilometres of electric-only driving range and an estimated fuel economy of 8.9 L/100 km in hybrid mode. The SUV featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, and Off-Road, providing versatility for different driving conditions. The XC90's performance was lively, with a five-second sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in Power mode, but it prioritized luxury over sporty handling.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The Sequoia's interior featured power-deploying running boards, a panoramic glass moonroof, and second-row captain's chairs. 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 the second-row seats folded. The hybrid powertrain's battery pack compromised the Sequoia's overall utility compared to its predecessor.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a well-appointed interior with power-adjustable and heated front seats, wood trim, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added a sense of openness, while higher trims included features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The XC90 accommodated up to seven passengers, with a comfortable second-row bench seat and a more spacious third-row seat than expected. Cargo capacity was generous, with up to 1,854 litres available with the third row folded and 2,426 litres with the second row down.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the infotainment system experienced some glitches during testing, and the display suffered from glare issues.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 boasted a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, providing access to Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were also standard. The XC90 offered a choice between a 14-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the digital voice assistant was generally responsive, though occasional prompts were needed for accurate results.

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, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety features, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in 2023. The XC90 included standard safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assist, and a large-animal detection system. However, its advanced driving assistance systems were not as innovative as some competitors, and the Pilot Assist system experienced issues during testing, affecting driver confidence.