Toyota Sequoia vs Lexus GX

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia exhibited a robust and utilitarian design, reminiscent of its Tundra pickup sibling. Its tall and wide stance, coupled with blocky features, gave it a commanding presence on the road. The front showcased a large black grille, which was more contained compared to the Tundra, offering a more refined look. The side profile featured a distinctive shoulder line that descended from the hood to the front doors, with pronounced haunches over the wheels adding to its chunky aesthetic. Black wheel flares were standard across all models, except for the Capstone trim, which opted for body-coloured flares. The rear was marked by a standard spoiler and Sequoia lettering on the tailgate, with wheel options ranging from 18 to 22 inches. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin continued the chunky theme, with large dials suitable for gloved hands, and a utilitarian feel, especially in the TRD Pro variant. The TRD Pro's interior featured black synthetic leather with a camouflage pattern, TRD Pro embroidery, and red contrast stitching, emphasizing its off-road intent. While the cabin offered soft-touch surfaces in key areas, it also had a significant amount of hard plastic, making it feel more utilitarian than luxurious.

The 2026 Lexus GX, particularly in the Overtrail trim, presented a rugged yet stylish appearance. Its Nori Green Pearl colour added an outdoorsy vibe, complemented by grey wheel arch cladding, skid plates, and ladder-type roof rails. The GX's design was characterized by its boxy shape, with a prominent Lexus grille and triple-beam LED headlights that made it instantly recognizable. Hood blisters and fender bulges highlighted its capability, while tall windows enhanced visibility. Inside, the Overtrail model featured a blend of tan artificial leather and olive-green simulated suede, creating a utilitarian yet quality-focused cabin. The digital driver and touchscreen infotainment displays added a touch of modernity. Despite its boxy design, the GX managed to convey a sense of style, with its rugged features hinting at its off-road prowess. The interior, while not traditionally luxurious, exuded quality and practicality, making it suitable for both on-road and off-road adventures.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a hybrid powertrain known as i-Force Max, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine that produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. An electric motor added 48 hp and 184 lb-ft, drawing power from a 1.87-kWh battery pack. This setup provided a V8-like performance, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of approximately 6.8 seconds. The Sequoia could tow up to 4,137 kilograms, aided by a haul mode and a heavy-duty tow hitch receiver. However, its large towing mirrors, while helpful for towing, obstructed views at intersections. The Sequoia's handling was typical of a body-on-frame SUV, with noticeable body lean in corners and a slow steering response. The TRD Pro variant featured an off-road-tuned suspension with Fox coil-overs and rear shocks, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The 4WD system offered low-range gearing and off-road drive modes, supported by a surround-view camera system for challenging terrains.

The 2026 Lexus GX 550 was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission, full-time 4WD, and a locking centre differential. The Overtrail trim added an electronic locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select settings, and a low-speed cruise control system. Its adaptive variable suspension provided a 2.5-centimetre lift, while the E-KDSS system improved wheel articulation. The GX's off-road prowess was evident during testing, handling challenging conditions with ease. On-road, the adaptive suspension smoothed out bumps, though the chunky tires were less suited for spirited driving. The GX's acceleration was brisk, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of 6.8 seconds. However, its fuel consumption was high, with observed figures of 14.0 to 14.7 L/100 km. The GX excelled in visibility and parking, aided by surround-view cameras and its towering stance.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia offered seating for seven or eight passengers, with the first row featuring eight-way power adjustments and two-way lumbar support. While spacious, the seats were too flat for long trips. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard in Canada, with ventilation available on most trims. The second row provided good comfort, especially with captain’s chairs, and the third row accommodated adults up to six feet tall for short trips. Cargo space was both a strength and a weakness, with 325 litres behind the third row, expandable to 2,460 litres with seats folded. However, the load floor was not flat, and rivals offered more user-friendly cargo areas.

The 2026 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail required a bit of effort to enter, especially with optional rock sliders. Once inside, the front seats offered comfort with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. Real leather and massaging seats were available in higher trims. The second-row bench was wide but lacked comfort for longer journeys. The Overtrail trim did not include a third row, maximizing cargo space to 2,548 litres. The load height was high, and the protruding bumper was useful for roof access but could soil clothes during loading.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia featured a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, upgradeable to a 14-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and vehicle information. Standard tech included satellite radio, an eight-speaker audio system, and Safety Connect. Higher trims offered a head-up display, wireless phone charger, and a JBL audio system.

The 2026 Lexus GX came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. The Lexus Interface was simple to use, though limited to one menu at a time. It included Safety Connect, Remote Connect, and Drive Connect, with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a head-up display was available in most packages. The GX also featured a panoramic view monitor and multi-terrain monitor for off-road assistance.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and high beam assist. Additional features included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Sequoia received mixed crash test results, with a Good rating in some tests and Marginal in others. The surround-view camera system was beneficial for off-roading and parking.

The 2026 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and Proactive Driving Assist. It also included blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Traffic Jam Assist was available with an active Drive Connect plan. During testing, the safety systems performed well, though some features like lane-centring assist required manual correction. Safety ratings were not available at the time of writing.