2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Chevrolet Traverse

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this connection was evident in its design cues, such as hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, and a muscular stance. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Celestial Silver on the Capstone model giving it a somewhat dated look reminiscent of a "cop car." Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, featuring physical dials and buttons for climate control and volume. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia provided power-adjustable front seats across all trims and included a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, with a panoramic version available on higher trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse, available in LT, Z71, and RS trims, introduced the Z71 for those interested in moderate off-roading. While not designed for extreme terrains like the Jeep Wrangler, it handled rugged paths well. The Traverse's pricing was competitive, starting at $50,833 for the LT and reaching $65,733 for the RS. The Z71 model, priced at $56,833, featured gloss black-painted 18-inch alloy wheels and Iridescent Pearl Tricoat paint. Inside, the Jet Black interior with "Torch Red" accents added flair, and the standard cloth seats offered comfort and breathability. The Traverse's design and features made it a strong contender in its class.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available as a hybrid, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, delivering 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, surpassing its V8 predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved significantly, rated at 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. Standard 4WD included a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD, with TRD Pro models featuring a skid plate. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-readiness with unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist features. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, with available towing upgrades.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse replaced its previous 310-horsepower V6 with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. This new engine offered 18 more horsepower and 50 more lb-ft of torque than the V6. All-wheel drive was standard, with the Z71 trim featuring a dual-clutch system for improved grip. The Traverse's acceleration and passing power were commendable, and its exhaust emitted a pleasant growl. The steering was adequate, and the ride quality was excellent, even with all-terrain tires. The brakes provided controlled stops, and the fuel-saving stop-and-start feature operated seamlessly. Fuel economy was rated at 12.4 L/100 km in the city, 9.9 on the highway, and 11.3 combined.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter individuals. Cargo space reached a maximum of 2,460 litres with both rear rows folded, while behind the second row, it offered 1,387 litres, and behind the third row, 325 to 631 litres, depending on seat position. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, and the third-row seats folded at the push of a button, though they didn't create a flat load floor due to the hybrid battery pack. Headroom was slightly reduced, and legroom varied across rows. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse LT and Z71 trims offered seating for eight, while the RS trim featured second-row captain's chairs, reducing capacity to seven. The Smart Slide second-row seats facilitated third-row access, and a power-folding third row was available. Cargo volume behind the third row was 648 litres, expanding to 2,764 litres with both rear rows folded. The Traverse included numerous storage compartments, such as a hidden area under the centre console and an underfloor storage bin in the cargo bay. Visibility was generally good, though the third row had limited views. The Z71 model had a power-operated driver's seat, but the front passenger seat was manually adjustable.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone was equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A 12.3-inch driver information display was standard across all trims, and the Panoramic View monitor was included on Platinum and Capstone trims. The Capstone also featured a 10-inch colour head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system, standard on Platinum and Capstone trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse featured a 17.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, standard on all models, with rapid response times and user-friendly menus. An 11-inch digital instrument display provided customizable information. The infotainment system ran on Google-based software, offering intuitive voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Z71 trim included a wireless charging pad. Physical controls for volume and HVAC functions were retained, though the driving mode button was less prominent. The Traverse introduced Super Cruise, a hands-free driving aid, expanding its functionality to single-lane roads.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite as standard, featuring 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 with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist, available on Platinum and Capstone trims. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2024 Chevrolet Traverse had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of testing. However, it offered a comprehensive suite of driver aids, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view parking camera. These features provided peace of mind during the test drive.