2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous image to emerge as a more stylish and modern vehicle. The design team embraced a "longer, lower, wider" philosophy, resulting in a vehicle that was 28 centimetres longer, 10 centimetres lower, and 5 centimetres wider than its predecessor. This redesign borrowed elements from the midsize Chevy Blazer, such as a prominent grille and distinctive body lines, giving the Trax a commanding presence despite its compact size. The interior of the Trax featured a mix of materials, with higher trims offering Evotex upholstery and unique design elements like a freestanding touchscreen and large air vents, adding a touch of sophistication to the entry-level model.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and several design cues with the Tundra pickup, including hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The exterior appearance varied significantly with colour choices, with the Capstone model featuring chrome accents that gave it a somewhat dated look. Inside, the Sequoia's interior mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric layout, with physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable seats and a moonroof available across the lineup, enhancing comfort and customization options.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax featured a new 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, replacing the previous 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder. Despite a reduction in power to 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, the Trax managed to improve its acceleration, reaching 100 km/h about a second faster than before. The engine's flat torque curve provided strong response, making highway overtakes smooth and turbo lag minimal. The Trax retained its six-speed automatic transmission and was available only with front-wheel drive, differentiating it from the all-wheel-drive Trailblazer. The Trax's handling was tuned for a more car-like feel, with a wider track contributing to a stable and nimble driving experience.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was offered exclusively as a hybrid, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, delivering an impressive 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid setup improved fuel economy significantly, with a combined rating of 11.7 L/100 km for the 4WD model. The Sequoia's 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and its on-road handling was adequate for its class. The TRD Off-Road model added adventure-ready features like unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist technologies, enhancing its capability for light off-roading. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, with optional towing upgrades available.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, while larger overall, offered mixed results in terms of interior space. Rear-seat legroom increased by 7.6 cm, but headroom decreased slightly in the second row. The Trax's seating arrangement provided decent comfort, with a car-like driving position and excellent outward visibility. Cargo space improved by 12%, offering 725 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,532 litres with them folded, surpassing some competitors.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. The second-row seats were easy to move for access to the third row, but the third-row seats did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was slightly compromised, and legroom varied across rows, with the Sequoia trailing some rivals in front-row legroom. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering for support.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant upgrades in infotainment technology. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard on lower trims, while higher trims featured an 11-inch touchscreen and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless phone charging, were available for the first time. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with crisp graphics and a logical menu layout. The Trax also offered multiple USB ports for connectivity.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the Capstone trim, was equipped with advanced technology features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality, and the driver information display was a full-colour 12.3-inch unit. The Sequoia also featured a Panoramic View monitor and a 10-inch colour head-up display on higher trims, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax offered a range of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Trax also featured the Teen Driver system, which monitored driving behaviour and provided feedback to parents. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

Toyota equipped the 2024 Sequoia with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety features as standard across all trims. This included a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were also standard. The Sequoia offered an optional trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist on higher trims. Crash-test ratings were not available, but the similar Toyota Tundra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.