2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Chevrolet Trax

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax, a continuation of the model introduced in 2015, maintained its 2017 design updates into 2021. The Premier trim was discontinued, leaving the LS and LT trims. The LS trim featured 16-inch aluminum wheels, remote keyless entry, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The LT trim added features like heated mirrors, roof rails, and upgraded seating. Various styling packages and driver assistance options were available for the LT trim, enhancing its appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, a second-generation model since 2008, received a facelift in 2018 and introduced a Nightshade Special Edition in 2021. Despite its age, the Sequoia's design updates were subtle, and its interior reflected its mid-2000s origins. The Sequoia offered trims like SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, and Platinum, each with unique features. The Nightshade edition added black accents, while the TRD Pro focused on off-road capabilities. The Platinum trim offered luxury features like heated seats and a larger touchscreen.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax was powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 138 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. It was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive. While adequate for city driving, the engine struggled at highway speeds and was noisy. The Trax had a firm ride, which could be harsh over rough roads, but its tight turning radius made it maneuverable in urban settings.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration despite the Sequoia's weight. The Sequoia's driving dynamics resembled a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, though it lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in towing capacity.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax offered decent headroom and legroom in both rows, though rear seats lacked support for long journeys. It featured multiple storage trays and low cupholder placement for convenience. The Trax provided 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 48.4 cubic feet with seats folded. The front passenger seat could fold flat for larger items, but there was no option for a power liftgate.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to over 120 cubic feet with all seats folded. Its power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could be better utilized, the Sequoia offered ample storage with deep door pockets and a large center console. It also featured multiple cupholders and a removable panel for additional space.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax came with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. It included two USB ports and an available WiFi hotspot, offering a user-friendly interface with vivid graphics and hard buttons for easy navigation.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The infotainment system was straightforward, with easy menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was simple but functional, offering a refreshing simplicity despite its dated appearance.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax received a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA but lacked advanced safety features. It came standard with airbags and a backup camera, with optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection available in the LT Convenience Package. However, it missed out on features like forward-collision avoidance and lane-departure warning, which were standard in many rivals.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. While it lacked advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia offered a comprehensive list of safety features. However, it scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA rollover test and lacked further crash test ratings.