2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle updates from 2018, such as the refreshed headlights and grille. The introduction of the Nightshade Special Edition in 2021 added a touch of modernity, but the overall design still reflected its 2007 origins. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin was spacious, though the front seats felt bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. The second-row seats, however, offered ample space and comfort. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum, each offering a variety of features and packages to suit different preferences.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox presented a more contemporary look with its updated grille, LED headlights, and sleeker design elements. The Equinox embraced its car-based crossover identity, offering a balance between ruggedness and car-like aesthetics. Inside, the dashboard featured a creative design with a central touchscreen and air vents, providing a cohesive look. The Equinox offered decent headroom and a tall seating position, though front legroom was somewhat limited. The interior controls were well-placed, and the cargo space, while not class-leading, was practical for everyday use. The RS model added a sporty touch with black exterior trim and unique interior accents.

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, appealing to those who appreciated a robust driving experience. However, its towing capacity of 7,400 pounds lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. While it offered more torque than many rivals, its horsepower was lower. The Equinox's engine excelled in city driving, providing ample torque for quick starts, but felt less responsive at higher speeds. The six-speed automatic transmission's shifts were somewhat rough, and the Equinox's handling was not particularly sporty. Despite this, it offered a comfortable ride on various road surfaces.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered ample storage options, including deep door pockets and a large center console.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five with decent headroom and a tall seating position. However, front legroom was somewhat limited, and the lack of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered 29.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 63.9 cubic feet with them folded. While not class-leading, the cargo space was practical for everyday use. The interior controls were well-placed, and the climate control system was easy to use.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. Our test model included a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the expansive dash. The digital trip computer was straightforward, though not as advanced as modern digital instrument panels.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox offered a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Higher trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. The MyLink system was responsive and easy to use, with large menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless smartphone connectivity was a significant advantage, and the Equinox provided ample USB ports and power outlets.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was 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 more advanced tech like lane-keeping assist and scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests, with a "Marginal" rating in the updated side crash test. It earned a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention in vehicle-to-vehicle situations and an "Advanced" rating for vehicle-to-pedestrian scenarios. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy’s Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system.