Toyota Sequoia vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, positioned between the Highlander and the Sequoia. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the RAV4 and Camry, distinguishing itself from the body-on-frame Sequoia. The Grand Highlander was notably spacious, with a length of 5,115 millimetres and a wheelbase of 2,950 mm, offering more room than competitors like the Kia Telluride. Its design was inspired by rugged vehicles, featuring a blockier style reminiscent of the Ford Explorer and Honda Pilot. Inside, it offered three trims with varying levels of luxury, from synthetic leather in the XLE to real leather in the Limited and Platinum trims. The interior was well-appointed, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and heated front seats standard in Canada.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the U.S.-only 1794 Edition, was a full-size SUV that exuded a commanding presence. In Canada, the lineup included trims like the SR5 TRD Off-road and Capstone, with prices ranging from $87,174 to $106,175. The Sequoia's design, especially in Lunar Rock paint, turned heads despite its familiarity. However, the interior was a mix of premium leather and typical Toyota-grade plastic, which was less impressive. The Sequoia's cabin was spacious but not without compromises, as the battery pack placement affected rear-seat and cargo space. The ride quality was also affected by the solid rear axle, leading to a jittery experience over bumps. Despite these drawbacks, the Sequoia offered a robust towing capacity and a suite of off-road features, although its ground clearance was limited by a front air dam.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain combined a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with electric motors, generating 362 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. All models in Canada came with all-wheel drive, and the Hybrid Max boasted a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. While the Grand Highlander was not a sports car, it offered solid acceleration and a comfortable ride, with three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—available across the lineup. The brakes were responsive, and the steering, though somewhat numb, was adequate for most driving situations.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine, an electric motor, and a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, a part-time four-wheel-drive system was standard, with Eco, Normal, Sport, and Tow/Haul driving modes available. Despite its weight of 2,790 kilograms, the Sequoia delivered strong acceleration and a satisfying engine note. However, its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 14.5 L/100 km in testing. The Sequoia excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 4,137 kilograms, but its driving dynamics were compromised by the rear battery pack and solid axle. The ride was jittery, and the steering, while light, lacked feedback. The brakes were also a weak point, with poor initial bite and fade issues during heavy use.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a spacious and comfortable SUV, measuring over 5 metres in length with a 2,950 mm wheelbase. It offered more cargo space than rivals, with a total capacity of 2,761 litres. Even with all seats in use, it provided 583 litres of cargo space. The interior was designed for comfort, with ample headroom, legroom, and shoulder room in all rows. The third row was particularly accommodating, even for adults.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, like other full-size SUVs, could seat up to eight people, though seven or six would be more comfortable. The Platinum and Capstone trims featured 10-way power-adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage. Access to the second and third rows was facilitated by long rear doors, but these could be cumbersome in tight spaces. The third row offered stadium-style seating but was cramped for taller passengers. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres available with all seats in use. Folding the third row increased capacity to 1,387 litres, and the maximum cargo volume was 2,460 litres, less than many rivals.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually appealing interface. An intelligent assistant was available through a connected-services subscription, allowing voice commands for various functions. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the Limited trim onwards. Four connected services plans were available, with trial subscriptions ranging from three to ten years. These plans enabled features like cloud-based navigation and remote engine starting. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and a 14-speaker JBL sound system was included in higher trims. The system's usability was hampered by the lack of a tuning knob, and the voice recognition system had limitations.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. This suite included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings. The Platinum grade offered additional features like traffic jam assist and a head-up display.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning, among other features. While the tech was helpful, the lane assist features could be intrusive. The Sequoia had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication.