2025 Toyota Sequoia vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2025 Sequoia is Toyota’s full-size SUV, based on the same platform as the Tundra pickup truck and using the same i-Force Max hybrid powertrain. It seats up to eight people, holds up to 2,460 litres of cargo, carries up to 640 kilograms (1,411 pounds) of payload, and tows up to 4,080 kilograms (9,000 pounds) of trailer. But the Toyota Sequoia comes with some fundamental flaws.

Verdict: People buy full-size SUVs to carry lots of people, haul lots of cargo, and tow lots of weight. However, due to its packaging requirements, the Sequoia is a rock star only if you’re attaching a trailer to it, and even then, it’s not class-leading in capability.

The all-new 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan corrects the last generation's user interface issues while making incremental improvements throughout the rest of the vehicle. The company’s best-selling model in North America easily meets expectations for a compact SUV, and it’s the only entrant with that German look and feel. Otherwise, it doesn't distinguish itself from the rest of the pack.

Verdict: The new Tiguan is a handsome crossover and the only sub-luxury German option. However, amid an incredibly competitive field, the redesigned Tiguan does too little to separate itself from the crowd.