How does Toyota’s latest Sequoia compare to the competition?
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a new beginning for the automaker’s flagship three-row SUV, which has been on the market for over a decade before undergoing a complete makeover. The Sequoia’s V-8 has been replaced by a turbocharged, hybridized V-6 that promises higher economy and synthetic engine noises (nearly V-8-like) piped into the upgraded cabin to compensate for the loss.
How do the Sequoia’s new aesthetics, engine, and platform stand up in the highly competitive full-size, three-row SUV sector now that we’ve driven and tested it? On paper, it competes with four rivals: the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe, the 2022 Ford Expedition, the 2023 Nissan Armada, and the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer.
Styling and Platforms
The previous-generation Toyota Sequoia wasn’t hideous, but it was a safe design that remained boring for 14 years. The enormous front grille and sculpted headlamps of the 2023 Sequoia scream “heavy-duty truck,” which is suitable given that it is built on the Toyota TNGA-F platform, also utilized by the Toyota Tundra pickup. Even though this updated platform switches from an independent rear suspension to a live rear axle, it nevertheless manages to give a better ride quality than before.
Toyota’s competitors have done a considerably better job of keeping their rigs fresh by introducing new full-size SUV designs more than once every 14 years. The Chevy Tahoe is a fantastic example, and it was completely redesigned for 2021. Its façade avoids the cliché of simulating a “rugged” appearance with an excess of plastic covering. The SUV, on the other hand, has a considerably slimmer design with practically every panel color matched. A new accessory grille may visually differentiate between trims. Because the ’23 Tahoe is built on GM’s T1 platform, it sports an independent rear suspension and greater chassis stiffness over the preceding K2 platform.
Because the differential housing is attached to the chassis rather than the live axle, it has a lower load floor.
Following that comes the 2022 Ford Expedition, which is one of the comparison’s longest-running nameplates. The 2022 model is based on the same Ford T3 chassis that the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator have been using for several years. Despite its size, the Expedition’s handling is so sophisticated that it seems like driving a car-based crossover. We also like how smooth and quiet the ride is.
The 2023 Nissan Armada hasn’t altered much on the outside since its 2021 makeover—a facelift that brought the Armada’s look closer to that of its Infiniti cousin. In truth, the 2023 Armada is an Infiniti QX80 with a different front fascia. On the road, we discovered that the Armada’s handling and ride quality leaned primarily toward comfort—which, depending on the use case, might be good or terrible. In any case, Nissan’s Y62 chassis may be decommissioned as any platform that cannot be modified for the automaker’s new EV-oriented strategy.
Despite Jeep’s insistence that the 2023 Wagoneer is a new brand (Wagoneer! ), most people will link it with the Jeep SUV brand. It appears on the Jeep website, is offered in Jeep dealerships, and even has a Jeep-like style and the brand’s famous seven-slat grille. The Wagoneer’s performance may not be world-class, but it makes up for it in other ways. The Wagoneer has excellent handling, ride quality, and steering feel thanks to a new Ram-based body-on-frame chassis and completely independent suspension. It becomes even better if purchasers choose the air suspension option. It’s a large, comfy family vehicle that drives like one.
Engine Performance and Fuel Economy
Almost every SUV in our comparison has somewhere around 400 horsepower under the hood, but they all get there in various ways. The most powerful SUV here is the 2023 Toyota Sequoia, which has 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque from a hybridized 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 combined with an electric motor. As one might expect, the hybrid V-6 is substantially more fuel-efficient than the V-8 it replaced. In fact, the new engine achieves higher city fuel efficiency than the V-8 on the interstate.
Despite this, the smaller engine does not leave the Sequoia feeling underpowered. The electric motor appears to fill any torque deficit that might otherwise exist. Aaron Gold, a senior editor, described the V-8 engine as if it had an unseen force propelling the vehicle forward as if there was something more to it.
The basic variant of the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe features a 355-hp 5.3-liter V-8 engine. With a maximum towing capability of 8,400 pounds, we consider the basic engine to be “competent,” albeit fuel efficiency isn’t exceptional out of the box. The standard V-8 only gets 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the interstate. Those wishing to save money on gas can opt for the V-6 turbodiesel engine, although they will lose some towing capacity. Aside from fuel economy, the smooth 10-speed gearbox is a standout feature.
The only other SUV in our comparison with a turbocharged V-6 is the 2022 Ford Expedition. However, unlike the Sequoia, the Expedition lacks an electric motor and depends only on a boost for extra power, putting it below the Sequoia in terms of fuel efficiency. Nonetheless, it outperforms every other SUV on our list in terms of miles per gallon while producing a reasonable 380 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque and an amazing 9,300-pound towing capacity. If that isn’t enough power, the top Expedition model has 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque.
The 2023 Nissan Armada’s powertrain is let down by an out-of-date engine. In this comparison, it has the second-largest engine displacement yet the lowest fuel efficiency. With a city fuel economy of only 14 miles per gallon, the Nissan Armada would be a pretty expensive daily commuting vehicle. The Armada, on the other hand, has a respectable 8,500-pound towing capability.
The 5.7-liter V-8 “eTorque” engine featured in the 2023 Wagoneer is a little sluggish in getting the full-size SUV to 60 mph, and it’s not a really spectacular motor in general. On the plus side, the 5.7-liter has a 10,000-pound towing capability, and the Wagoneer Series II can be upgraded to a new twin-turbo 3.0-liter “Hurricane” inline-6. It provides much better performance, accelerating the three-row SUV to 60 mph in 2.0 seconds less time than the thirstier 5.7-liter V-8.
Cargo Space and Dimensions
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia is officially the smallest SUV in our comparison, which might be useful in city parking conditions. It is more than six inches shorter in length than the huge 2023 Wagoneer and the thinnest in the bunch at 79.6 inches. The 2023 Nissan Armada is somewhat longer, wider, and taller than the Sequoia. The Wagoneer is by far the largest of the giants, at 214.7 inches long and 123 inches wide, and that’s only the beginning; there’s a long wheelbase Wagoneer L trim that dwarfs all of the SUVs here.
The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe appears to be in the sweet spot in all dimensions and even has a shorter wheelbase than the Sequoia, albeit it, like the Jeep, is available in an extended version, albeit under the Suburban moniker rather than Tahoe.
When it comes to passenger space, the figures are a bit startling. Despite having the greatest external dimensions, the 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe actually outperforms it in front-row legroom, headroom, and shoulder space. However, the Wagoneer outperforms the competition in the second and third rows. When it comes to passenger capacity, the 2023 Sequoia is a mixed bag, with less headroom in the first and second rows than the other contenders but greater The Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada have less row shoulder room than
The Sequoia also offers somewhat more first-row legroom than the Wagoneer, likely its main competition. Toyota’s entry falls short in third-row legroom and headroom when compared to the other SUVs, but it once again outperforms the Expedition and Armada in third-row shoulder space.
According to the data we have, the Wagoneer has the highest passenger volume in cubic feet, at 179.2.
The Ford Expedition comes in second, while the Tahoe comes in third. However, we believe it is safe to say that if passenger room and comfort are important to you, the Tahoe and Wagoneer are your best options. Despite our opinion that the Armada is rather comfortable, it has the smallest passenger capacity in our comparison.
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia has a completely redesigned interior that comes fully equipped from the start. Front heated seats, three-zone temperature control, and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless charging Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard features. Buyers that select the top-tier Capstone trim will certainly receive extra amenities, like a bigger 14-inch infotainment screen—an option for the SR5. The polygonal design that runs throughout the Sequoia’s interior creates a contemporary and rather tough attitude, yet the overall material quality is only OK.
Buyers of the Chevrolet Tahoe will have to pay a bit extra if they want their SUV to be as well-equipped as the Sequoia. The Tahoe does include an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto—but heated seats aren’t available until you upgrade to the more pricey LT level. In fact, the LT comes preloaded with a slew of useful functions. We only wish the basic LS received a couple more of those extras. Because the base enables additional wireless audio functions, we would have wanted to see wireless smartphone charging included as standard.
The Ford does not skimp on basic interior comforts. The standard model of the device comes equipped with a 12.0-inch touchscreen that runs on SYNC 4 software. SYNC has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, as well as a slew of additional capabilities. A 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capable of supporting up to ten devices is available on board to keep passengers connected, but there will be a cost after the first three months of use. Unfortunately, heated seats are not available on the lowest model, but there is a 10-way power adjustable driver seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The inside of the 2023 Nissan Armada has a few “good to have” standard amenities that are well appreciated, such as a power tilt and telescopic steering column, an 8-way power adjustable passenger seat, and a 10-way power driver seat. The Armada, like the Expedition, has a 12.0-inch infotainment display with smartphone compatibility. However, only Apple CarPlay is wireless, but Android phones appear to require to be plugged in for Android Auto functions to work. That irritates individuals who prefer Android phones over iOS devices.
As you might expect, the 2023 Jeep Wagoneer features the best-equipped cabin of all the vehicles in the study. Standard features include heated front seats, a 10-speaker stereo system, Capri leather upholstery, a 10.1-inch infotainment screen, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. There are various luxury choices available for those with the cash, but even in base trim, the Wagoneer does not fall short. The Wagoneer is the way to go if you want as much luxury and technology out of the box as possible.
Pricing and Benefits
We’ve spent a lot of time talking about horsepower, torque, and interior dimensions, but the most essential figure for any of these SUVs is the one with the “$” in front of it on the window sticker. Do the characteristics provided by each of these automobiles correspond to their respective MSRPs? All of the competitors, however, come with a rather comprehensive set of features out of the box. They all have infotainment systems centered on large touchscreens. The majority of current driver aid systems, including blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic recognition, and parking cameras, are also standard across the board.
Which model offers the best value in terms of fuel economy, passenger room, and standard equipment versus price? Obviously, the 2023 Wagoneer offers the most (literally), but it also has one of the highest prices. The 2023 Toyota Sequoia has the highest price, but the difference between it and the Wagoneer is less than $1,000. If luxury is a priority, the Wagoneer may be a better purchase than the Toyota.
However, while having the biggest price tag, the Toyota Sequoia also offers the best fuel economy because of its hybrid drivetrain. When factoring money saved at the pump, the fuel economy might gradually increase its worth.
What about overall worth? The 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe and the 2022 Ford Expedition look to be almost equal in value based on horsepower, economy, passenger space, cargo space, and features. However, with the Expedition’s superior horsepower, towing capacity, spaciousness, and fuel efficiency, it edges out the Tahoe as the greatest deal for consumers searching for a full-size SUV that has it all. The Tahoe doesn’t appear to gain its stride until you upgrade to the LT trim. Even yet, the Tahoe does not offer the Super Cruise option until you upgrade to the Premier trim.
On paper, where does this leave the Toyota Sequoia? Despite being more expensive and smaller than its main competitors, it has a superb engine, attractive appearance, and interior usefulness. If you don’t want to spend more than $55,000 on a full-size SUV for family transportation, you might be better off looking at the Tahoe or Expedition.