Toyota Sequoia vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the 1794 Edition trim, was a striking presence on the road, especially with its Lunar Rock paint. Despite being a few years into its current generation, it still managed to turn heads, perhaps due to its rarity. The U.S.-only trim featured dark grey 20-inch wheels and less chrome than its Canadian counterpart, the Platinum trim. Inside, the cabin was a mix of Saddle Tan leather upholstery and open-pore walnut wood trim, although the latter was not available in the U.S. model. The interior was largely covered in Toyota-grade plastic, which detracted from the overall luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander offered a more practical interior, especially in the Platinum Hybrid Max trim. The exterior styling was understated, with a wide, flat-bottomed grille and minimal style lines. The interior featured a mix of leather and Ultrasuede with bronze accents, providing a comfortable yet not overly luxurious environment. The cabin felt spacious and airy, thanks to ambient lighting and a panoramic glass roof. The Grand Highlander was designed with practicality in mind, offering ample storage solutions and a user-friendly layout.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Despite its muscular performance, the Sequoia's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 14.5 L/100 km in real-world testing, compared to the expected 11.7 L/100 km. The SUV's towing capacity was impressive, with a maximum of 4,137 kilograms, but its driving dynamics were compromised by a solid rear axle and rear-mounted battery pack, leading to a jittery ride and limited cargo space.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander offered a range of powertrains, with the Hybrid Max delivering 362 horsepower. While not a performance vehicle, it provided quick acceleration and confident braking. The AWD system varied by powertrain, with the Hybrid Max offering full-time AWD for improved stability. The Grand Highlander excelled in urban environments, with light steering and a comfortable ride. Its Multi-Terrain Select system offered settings for various conditions, but its off-road capabilities were limited by all-season tires and large overhangs.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for shorter individuals due to limited headroom. The interior featured 10-way power-adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions on higher trims. Access to the third row was challenging due to the high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 325 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,460 litres with all seats folded.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander offered a more spacious interior, with the third row providing ample legroom even for taller passengers. The second row was highly adjustable, making it easy to install child seats and access the third row. The Grand Highlander excelled in cargo capacity, offering 586 litres behind the third row, expanding to 2,761 litres with all seats stowed. The power liftgate and ample storage solutions added to its practicality.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system from the Limited trim upwards. While the system offered advanced features through subscription services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The lack of a tuning knob was a minor annoyance, but the surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were valuable additions.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was responsive, though some menus were confusing. The Platinum Hybrid Max trim included a digital rearview camera mirror and a 360-degree camera system, enhancing visibility. A 10-inch head-up display provided essential information, and multiple USB-C ports and outlets ensured connectivity for all passengers.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driving aids, including adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking. However, the lane assist features were intrusive, leading to frequent false warnings. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings were unavailable.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with additional features like Proactive Driving Assist and traffic jam assist on the top trim. While Proactive Driving Assist was best turned off, the traffic jam assist was a valuable feature. The Grand Highlander received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and mostly top scores from the IIHS.