2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2025 Subaru Forester

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this 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 brightwork. Our tester, in Celestial Silver, appeared somewhat dated, reminiscent of a "cop car." Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra and other Toyota vehicles, with a blocky, geometric dash layout and physical controls for volume and climate. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The seating was power-adjustable across the lineup, and all models featured a power-tilt and -slide moonroof, with an upgraded panoramic version available on higher trims.

The 2025 Subaru Forester, traditionally known for its practicality over aesthetics, received notable styling updates. The changes smoothed out its appearance, making it more generic and less distinctively Subaru. The Forester Sport, which we tested, featured bronze trim accents and 19-inch wheels, adding a mature touch. The vehicle maintained its large-greenhouse shape, with geometric wheel arches and a more decisive window shape. Black plastic pieces at the corners suggested a potential for two-toned paint jobs. Inside, the Forester Sport had StarTex upholstery with brown contrast stitching, echoing the exterior accents. The cabin featured structural dash elements, giving it a more intentional look.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over its predecessor. Fuel economy improved to 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. The Sequoia came standard with 4WD in Canada, featuring a part-time system with a selector for 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the on-road handling was adequate. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model offered adventure-readiness with unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control. The maximum towing capacity was 4,137 kilograms, with towing-related upgrades available.

The 2025 Subaru Forester retained its 2.5-litre Boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. The Lineartonic CVT and Symmetrical AWD system were standard. Subaru improved the Forester's noise levels, making it quieter at cruising speeds. The X-Mode system, standard in Canada, enhanced stability and traction on challenging terrain. The Forester Sport's performance was stable and planted on various surfaces, with X-Mode activating seamlessly. Fuel economy was rated at 9.1 L/100 km in the city, 7.2 on the highway, and 8.2 combined. A hybrid version was expected to follow.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter individuals. Cargo space was 2,460 litres with both rear rows folded, 1,387 litres behind the second row, and 325 to 631 litres behind the third row. The third-row seats did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack, affecting headroom and legroom. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, offering width but lacking bolstering.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced a hands-free power liftgate, increasing cargo space to 779 litres with rear seats in place and 1,957 litres with them folded. The cargo area featured eight heavy-duty hooks. The Forester provided a roomy second row, with heated front seats standard in Canada. The Touring trim added a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, while higher trims offered additional power adjustability and seat ventilation.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone was equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible through an 8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen, depending on the trim. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A full-colour 12.3-inch driver information display was standard, and the Panoramic View monitor was included on higher trims. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on the Limited and standard on Platinum and Capstone.

The 2025 Subaru Forester introduced an 11.6-inch Multimedia Plus infotainment system, standard on all but the base trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base model had two 7-inch touchscreens with wired smartphone projection. Higher trims included dual USB ports, a wireless charging pad, and a navigation system. An 11-speaker Harman Kardon sound system was standard on top trims. Subaru's Starlink connected services suite offered additional capabilities for 2025.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, including 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. A trailer backup guide was optional on higher trims. The Sequoia had not been rated by safety organizations, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2025 Subaru Forester offered Emergency Stop Assist, available on higher trims with the driver distraction-mitigation system. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change assist were standard on the Touring grade. Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver-assistance technology was standard, with enhancements for 2025. The Forester had not been crash-tested, but the 2024 model received high safety ratings.