Toyota Sequoia vs Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer presented a traditional SUV aesthetic, sharing its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer. This resulted in a similar appearance to the smaller 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, characterized by a tall hood, broad shoulders, trapezoidal wheel arches, and an upright profile. The Grand Wagoneer distinguished itself with a standard black roof, model-specific hood, front fascia, and grille, which leaned forward slightly with laser-etched knurling in the slots. The vehicle featured 20-inch wheels as standard, with 22-inch wheels available on higher trims, and an acrylic glass covering on the wheel centre caps to protect the “Wagoneer” logo.

Inside, the Grand Wagoneer shared styling features with the Wagoneer, such as an integrated infotainment touchscreen, a large rotary shift knob, and a two-spoke steering wheel. However, it offered more convenience features and higher-quality materials, including 24-way power front seats with memory, massage, lumbar support, and four-way power headrests. Standard heated first- and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and optional ventilated second-row seats added to the luxury. Nappa leather upholstery was standard, with higher-grade Palermo leather available, complemented by aluminum and American Walnut wood trim. Subtle differences like Mercedes-style seat controls on the doors and the “Grand Wagoneer” inscription on the dashboard further set it apart.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, with its bold styling, drew inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck, featuring a newly creased and kinked SUV body that gave it a more substantial presence than its predecessor. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper differentiated it from the Tundra's "manta ray on wheels" look. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, highlighted by leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. A massive 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior was available in a cream white-over-black two-tone colour scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins.

The Sequoia lineup included the TRD Off-road, Limited, Platinum, and TRD Pro trims, with prices starting at $79,335 for the base TRD Off-road and reaching $95,335 for the Capstone, including destination charges. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the TRD Off-Road provided a more affordable option with features like 18-inch TRD alloy wheels, all-terrain tires, and off-road suspension. The Sequoia's ground clearance and approach, breakover, and departure angles suggested less off-road capability than the previous model. However, the Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable ride with minimal wind and road noise, making it ideal for highway driving.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer was powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, delivering 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured cylinder deactivation for improved fuel efficiency and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in approximately six seconds, impressive for its 2,900-kilogram weight. Standard four-wheel drive (4WD) was included, with the Quadra-Drive II system offering a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential for maximum traction. The Quadra-Lift air suspension system, standard on the Grand Wagoneer, allowed for height adjustments to enhance off-road capability or reduce aerodynamic drag on highways.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. While it lacked the V8's rumble, the hybrid powertrain offered improved towing capacity, with a maximum tow rating of 4,137 kilograms in Canada. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency was also enhanced, with a combined rating of 11.7 L/100 km with 4WD. During testing, the Sequoia averaged 13.2 L/100 km on a mountainous evaluation loop in RWD mode.

The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The 4WD system required manual selection between 2WD, 4WD Hi, and 4WD Lo. The Sequoia's ride quality varied depending on the mode, with Sport and Sport+ providing better control over ride motions but potentially affecting fuel economy. The steering was slow, requiring effort for manoeuvres, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times. Despite these challenges, the Sequoia's powertrain and improved fuel efficiency made it a compelling choice for those seeking a balance of performance and economy.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered seating for seven with standard second-row captain’s chairs or eight with an optional third-row bench seat. It provided more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Infiniti QX80, though front-row space was more limited. Cargo space was generous, with 775 litres available with all seats in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. Folding all rear seats provided 2,667 litres of cargo space, slightly less than some rivals. The Grand Wagoneer had a maximum towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms, slightly less than the standard Wagoneer due to its extra weight. Standard features included a sunroof, four-zone automatic climate control, and a 360-degree camera system to aid visibility.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with features like soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium audio system, and triple-zone automatic climate control. The Sequoia's second-row captain’s chairs did not slide, limiting flexibility for third-row passengers. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 325 litres available with the third-row seat in its rearmost position. Sliding the seat forward expanded capacity to 631 litres, and folding the third-row seats provided 1,387 litres. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 2,460 litres, significantly less than its predecessor and rivals. Despite these limitations, the Sequoia's hybrid powertrain offered improved towing and hauling capacity.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. Second-row passengers had access to a 10.25-inch centre console touchscreen, and an optional rear-seat entertainment system added two 10.1-inch screens. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, offered over-the-air updates but was occasionally slow to respond. The Grand Wagoneer also included a head-up display and a separate 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system varied by trim, with the base TRD Off-road featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and other trims boasting a 14-inch display. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with connected services offering features like an Intelligent Assistant. The Capstone trim added a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's tech suite included simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, though some features, like the Intelligent Assistant, had occasional glitches. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively enhanced safety during manoeuvres.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. Optional features included intersection collision assist, driver-attention monitor, night vision, traffic-sign recognition, and advanced driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with plans for a hands-free version in the future.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia offered an extensive array of standard safety features, primarily bundled into Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist systems enhanced highway driving, and the Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic braking system effectively prevented collisions.