2021 Ford Expedition vs 2022 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a welcome sight for a group of six weary travelers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport. After a week in a Dodge Grand Caravan, the plush and spacious Expedition promised comfort and luxury. However, the SUV's inability to accommodate all the luggage was a notable drawback. Despite its luxurious Platinum trim, which included features like Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, and a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, the Expedition's cargo space fell short. The power-deploying running boards and leather-lined cabin added to its appeal, but the lack of space meant one passenger had to carry a suitcase on their lap during the ride home. The Expedition's bold presence and intricate design elements, such as the chrome grille and 22-inch wheels, made it a striking vehicle, but the experience highlighted the practicality of minivans for carrying both passengers and luggage.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia, despite its aging design, maintained a timeless appeal with its modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches. The Sequoia's dimensions, including a 77-inch height and 205.1-inch length, gave it a commanding presence. Inside, the Sequoia's interior showed its age, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen that felt outdated compared to modern SUVs. However, the Sequoia's interior was built to last, with high-quality materials and tight seams. The Nightshade Special Edition model, with its darkened chrome and black-painted finish, brought the Sequoia's appearance up to date. Despite its dated technology, the Sequoia's robust construction and ample ground clearance made it a capable off-roader, while its spacious interior and thoughtful storage solutions catered to families and adventurers alike.

The 2021 Ford Expedition was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivered 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque in most trims, while the Platinum trim received a boost to 400 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. The Expedition's towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and it featured Ford's Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology for easier trailer maneuvering. The SUV's acceleration was impressive, even with a full load, and the engine's note was pleasant, though not as resonant as a V8. The Expedition's ride quality was affected by the Platinum's 22-inch wheels, but its four-wheel independent suspension kept it stable on the road. The FX4 Off-Road Package, available on XLT and Limited models, enhanced the Expedition's off-road capabilities, though the Platinum trim did not include this option. The Expedition's fuel economy was rated at 19 mpg combined by the EPA, but it averaged 17.1 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia featured a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck-based construction contributed to its 1,300-pound payload capacity and 7,400-pound towing capacity. However, its weight, ranging from 5,730 to 6,000 pounds, resulted in lower fuel economy ratings of 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined for RWD models, and 14 mpg combined for 4WD models. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent highway performance and sure-footed handling on curvy roads. Its body-on-frame construction and independent double-wishbone suspension made it a competent off-roader, especially in the TRD Pro model. The Sequoia's 38.1-foot turning circle and excellent sightlines made it a practical choice for suburban driving, though its height required caution in low-clearance areas.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for all passengers, including adults in the third row. The power-deploying running boards made entry easy, and the independent rear suspension ensured a comfortable ride. However, the regular-length Expedition's cargo space was limited, with only 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with all seats down. The Expedition MAX offered more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with all seats down. Despite its generous cargo capacity, the Expedition's liftover height was high, making loading heavy items challenging.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, with roomy seating in all three rows and three-zone climate control. The standard one-touch tilt/slide power moonroof added to the cabin's airy feel. The Sequoia's center console, glove compartment, and door pockets provided ample storage, while rear passengers enjoyed cup holders and power access. The cargo compartment featured a 12-volt outlet, and the Sequoia offered 18.9 cubic feet of space behind the third row. Power-folding or manual folding of the third row expanded cargo space to 66.6 cubic feet, and folding both the second and third rows provided 120.1 cubic feet of space, making the Sequoia a versatile choice for families and adventurers.

The 2021 Ford Expedition's Sync 3 infotainment system, while user-friendly, showed its age with an 8-inch touchscreen that felt small by modern standards. The system offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Amazon Alexa compatibility and enhanced voice recognition were also included. The test vehicle featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging, but lacked the available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, which offered DVD playback, gaming inputs, and streaming capabilities.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a clunky operating system. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility were standard, along with WiFi connectivity and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, while a premium audio and convenience package offered 14 JBL speakers, a subwoofer, and an amplifier. Despite its dated technology, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting, a rear backup camera, and front and rear parking sonar. Upper trims included a power liftgate with a power window, enhancing convenience.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA, though its rollover-resistance rating was three stars for RWD models and four stars for 4WD models. The Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Limited trims and above offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a semi-autonomous parking assistance system, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. The Expedition's lane-keeping technology was helpful on narrow freeways, though it lacked advanced lane-centering assistance.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it featured the Toyota Safety Sense P suite, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was also standard. The Sequoia's STAR safety system included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart-stop technology. A full complement of airbags, LATCH connectors, crumple zones, side-impact door beams, and energy-dissipating interior trim were standard, along with trailer sway-control, parking-assist sonar, child-protector rear door locks, and power window lockouts.