2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, continued to offer a robust and imposing presence. Introduced in 2007 and refreshed in 2018, the Sequoia received minimal updates for 2021, including a new Nightshade Special Edition. Its exterior design, with subtle updates to the grille and headlights, struggled to modernize its large silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin reflected its mid-2000s origins, with a multi-tiered center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dashboard. Despite its size, the front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort for passengers. The Sequoia was available in various trims, including SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and Platinum, each offering a range of features from basic amenities to off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid, introduced with a two-motor hybrid powertrain in 2020, maintained its freshened look with updated styling and improved interior storage. For 2021, the CR-V Hybrid retained its sophisticated design, with unique "Hybrid" badges and blue Honda logos. Inside, it featured distinct trim and instrumentation to display battery status and power distribution. The CR-V Hybrid was available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, all equipped with standard all-wheel drive. The Touring trim, tested with Platinum White Pearl paint, showcased a luxurious interior with ivory leather and a two-tone contrast. Despite the presence of fake wood trim, the CR-V Hybrid offered a comfortable and spacious cabin, with supportive front seats and remarkable rear seat room. Cargo space was slightly reduced due to the battery pack, but the CR-V Hybrid remained practical for everyday use.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 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, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics resembled those of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. While it exhibited some body roll in corners, its wide stance helped maintain stability. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached up to 7,400 pounds, falling short of competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system, combining a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with an electric assist motor, producing a total of 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. The CR-V Hybrid offered three driving modes—EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive—automatically selecting the most suitable one. It also provided driver-selected modes: Econ, Sport, and EV. The CR-V Hybrid's added weight from the battery pack improved weight distribution and maintained 8.2 inches of ground clearance. While it delivered a smooth and enjoyable driving experience, the CR-V Hybrid's fuel economy fell short of expectations, achieving 33.7 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 38 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its power-retractable rear window added convenience for accessing items without fully opening the hatch. Despite its age, the Sequoia offered ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a massive center console.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in passenger comfort and cargo utility. The front seats provided hours of comfort, with 12-way power adjustment for the driver. The rear seat room was impressive, offering ample space for adults. Interior storage was generous, although the Touring trim's wireless smartphone charger occupied significant console space. The CR-V Hybrid's cargo space measured 33.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 68.7 cubic feet with the seats folded, slightly less than the standard CR-V due to the battery pack.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Despite its dated technology, the system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but functional.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid's infotainment system, redesigned in 2017, appeared modern but performed sluggishly. The 7-inch touchscreen lacked a tuning knob, and the voice-recognition technology struggled with natural commands. The system supported wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the navigation map was cluttered. The Touring trim offered a nine-speaker premium audio system, dual quick-charging ports for the rear seat, and wireless smartphone charging, though the latter felt like an afterthought.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. However, it lacked advanced tech like lane-keeping assist and scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.

The 2021 Honda CR-V Hybrid included Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and Road Departure Mitigation. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The CR-V Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.