2025 Ford Explorer vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

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 strong fender creases. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model featuring more chrome and presented in Celestial Silver, giving it a somewhat dated look reminiscent of a "cop car." Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra and other Toyota vehicles, with a blocky, geometric dashboard layout, physical dials, and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The Sequoia provided power-adjustable front seats and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, enhancing customization and comfort.

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued its sleek design with a rear-wheel-drive platform, resulting in balanced proportions and a swept-back appearance. The refreshed model featured a restyled front end, giving it a wider and more ruggedly handsome look. New LED taillights and a strip of trim with the SUV's name added to its appeal. Inside, the Explorer's updates significantly improved its interior, with competitive colours, materials, and displays. Ford reduced the available trim levels in Canada to four, including the new base trim called Active, the sporty ST-Line, the luxurious Platinum, and the performance-tuned ST. Prices ranged from $52,830 to $71,430, including the destination charge. During a Ford-sponsored event, the ST-Line with extra-cost blue paint and additional packages impressed with its Canadian MSRP of $64,280.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 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, compared to 16.4 previously. In Canada, the Sequoia came standard with 4WD, featuring a part-time system with a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD. The TRD Pro models included a skid plate, and the 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-readiness with unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control and hill-descent control. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity was 4,137 kilograms (9,121 pounds), with towing-related upgrades available.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engines. Most trims featured a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer ST and optional Platinum trim had a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6, producing 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All Canadian Explorers had a 10-speed automatic transmission and AWD, with various driving modes. Fuel economy ratings for the base engine were 11.9 L/100 km city, 8.7 highway, and 10.4 combined. The V6 in the Platinum trim consumed 13.0 L/100 km city, 9.3 highway, and 11.3 combined. The ST trim averaged 13.3 city, 9.6 highway, and 11.6 combined. The Explorer's turbo four provided quick acceleration, and the 10-speed automatic delivered decisive shifts. The ST-Line's performance capability included larger wheels, and the ST-Line Street Package added 21-inch wheels and performance brakes. The Explorer's ride and handling were commendable, with the ST's sport-tuned suspension showcasing its performance chops.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding shorter individuals in entering the vehicle. Inside, the Sequoia offered a maximum of 2,460 litres of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. Behind the second row, it provided 1,387 litres, and behind the third row, it ranged from 325 to 631 litres, depending on seat position. The second-row seats were easy to move for third-row access, and the third-row bench seats folded at the push of a button, though they did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was slightly reduced, and legroom varied across rows. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, offering width but lacking bolstering.

The 2025 Ford Explorer seated six people in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, heated power-adjustable front seats, and the Premium Package, adding ambient lighting, memory function, heated second-row seats, and a wireless charging pad. The ST-Line's front seats were comfortable, with black artificial leather upholstery and cloth inserts. The second-row captain's chairs matched the front seats in comfort. Accessing the third row was challenging for adults, and the low, flat seat was uncomfortable. Cargo space measured 461 litres behind the third-row seat, 1,302 litres behind the second-row seats, and a maximum of 2,429 litres, competitive in the segment.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone was equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, standard across trims. The SR5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while other trims boasted a 14-inch centre touchscreen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The driver information display was a full-colour 12.3-inch unit, standard across trims. The Panoramic View monitor was standard on Platinum and Capstone trims, aiding in parking and maneuvering. The Capstone also featured a 10-inch colour head-up display and a 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system, available on Limited and standard on Platinum and Capstone.

The 2025 Ford Explorer introduced the Ford Digital Experience, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, and streaming apps. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot was available, and web browser apps provided internet access. The system was user-friendly, with Google Maps and Google Assistant integration. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems by Bang & Olufsen, with 10 speakers in the ST-Line and 14 speakers with 980 watts in the Platinum and ST trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety and driver-assistance features as standard across all trims. This included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, 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 2025 Ford Explorer came with Ford CoPilot 360 Assist+, equipping the SUV with advanced driving assistance systems. The ST-Line trim and higher featured Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, including a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise, Ford's hands-free highway driving system. A 90-day subscription to BlueCruise was standard, with the option to subscribe afterward. BlueCruise performed well on highways, though tighter curves and heavy traffic required driver intervention. The NHTSA had not fully rated the 2025 Explorer, but it earned five-star side-impact and four-star rollover resistance ratings. The IIHS rated the Explorer's crash performance well but noted Marginal headlight ratings for some trims.