Toyota Sequoia vs Lexus TX

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the 1794 Edition trim, was a U.S.-only variant that mirrored the Canadian Sequoia Platinum trim but with distinct differences. It featured dark grey painted 20-inch wheels and less exterior chrome, while the Saddle Tan leather upholstery and open-pore walnut wood trim were not available in the Canadian market. In Canada, the Sequoia lineup included trims like the base SR5 TRD Off-road, Limited, Platinum, and Capstone, with prices ranging from $87,174 to $106,175, excluding the federal luxury tax on higher trims. Despite being a few years old, the Sequoia's Lunar Rock paint, exclusive to lower trims in Canada, drew attention on the road. However, the interior was criticized for its Toyota-grade plastic, which detracted from the overall premium feel.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages depending on the powertrain, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package by default and options for Ultra Luxury, Executive, and F Sport 3 packages. The TX 500h hybrid started with the F Sport Performance 2 package, with an option for the F Sport 3 package. The exterior retained a large grille with sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. Interior options included three colour choices, ambient lighting, and suede trim, though the material quality was not up to luxury standards. The redesigned door handles were a unique feature, but some might have preferred more attention to cabin detail instead.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came standard with an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, an electric motor, a 1.87-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery pack, and a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, a part-time 4WD system was standard, with driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Tow/Haul. Despite its muscular performance, the Sequoia's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 14.5 L/100 km in testing, compared to the expected 11.7 L/100 km. The Sequoia excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 4,137 kilograms and a peak payload of 640 kilograms. However, its solid rear axle and battery placement compromised rear-seat room and cargo space, affecting driving dynamics. The ride was jittery over bumps, and the steering, while light and fluid, lacked feel. Brakes were also criticized for poor initial bite and modulation.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 featured a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid boosted output to 366 hp. The gas model had an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 came with full-time AWD, while the TX 500h had Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Drive modes included Normal, Eco, and Sport, with Sport mode enhancing throttle sensitivity. The TX 500h offered adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling. While not a sports car, the TX provided a balanced ride, with the hybrid model offering a more engaging driving experience.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight people, though seven or six would be more comfortable. The third row was best suited for shorter passengers due to limited headroom. The Platinum and Capstone trims featured 10-way power adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. Access to the third row was facilitated by long rear doors, but they were cumbersome in tight spaces. The third row's stadium-style seating offered a good view but limited headroom. Cargo space was limited, with 325 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,387 litres with the third row folded, and 2,460 litres with both rear rows down.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, and heated second-row seats. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. A one-touch button facilitated entry to the third row, though folding the second row flat was more complex. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX excelled in cargo space, with 572 litres behind the third row, expanding to 1,625 litres with the third row flat, and 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The TX could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the Limited trim. Connected services plans offered features like cloud-based navigation and remote engine starting, though subscriptions were required. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with a 14-speaker JBL sound system available on higher trims. The infotainment system lacked a tuning knob, which was a notable omission. The Intelligent Assistant voice recognition system had limitations, and the surround-view camera system was helpful for parking.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch touchscreen that was user-friendly but lacked some features, like manual satellite radio input. Steering wheel buttons controlled adaptive cruise control and volume but were confusing to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though connectivity issues were noted. Subscriptions were needed for in-dash navigation and other features. The back-up camera was clear, and the Advanced Park system was available for automated parking. The TX had seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt outlet in the second row.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane-centring assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the lane assist features were often intrusive, causing false warnings. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.

The 2026 Lexus TX featured Safety System+ 3.0, with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane tracing assist, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though it was slow to resume speed. The NHTSA rated the TX five out of five stars for crash safety, while the IIHS gave it an "Acceptable" rating for the small overlap front crash test on the driver's side and a "Good" rating for the passenger's side.