2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, attempted to maintain a modern appearance with updates in 2018, including a facelift that refreshed the headlights and grille. However, the subtle changes were often overshadowed by the vehicle's large silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's design was reminiscent of the mid-2000s, with a massive, multi-tiered center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dashboard. The cabin offered ample space, but the front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. The second-row seats, however, provided generous headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort for passengers. The Sequoia was available in several trims, including the SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and Platinum, each offering various features and enhancements.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson presented a fresh design on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. with two rows of seating and expanded cargo space. The Tucson's exterior featured a parametric grille with integrated LED lighting, creating a distinctive look. The side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, while the rear showcased LED taillights. The Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim, and offered high-end features like premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, the Tucson's cabin was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats and available leather-trimmed options. The interior design emphasized spaciousness with horizontal lines and an uncluttered aesthetic, providing ample room for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD) configurations. Despite its hefty weight of up to 6,000 pounds, the Sequoia offered stout acceleration and a driving experience akin to a pickup truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes. However, its towing capacity of 7,400 pounds lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine with a combined output of 226 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The ICE engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid used a six-speed. The Tucson Hybrid stood out with its power and efficiency, outperforming rivals like the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Tucson also offered all-wheel drive (AWD) as standard on the hybrid and optional on ICE models, providing reliable performance in various driving conditions. The Tucson Hybrid achieved impressive fuel economy, with up to 38 mpg combined, making it a more efficient choice than the ICE models.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats down, it offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space, rivaling competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. The Sequoia featured a power-retractable rear window, a unique and practical feature for accessing the cargo area. Despite its generous interior space, the Sequoia's front-row design felt dated, with deep in-door pockets and a massive center console providing ample storage.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, as a compact SUV, offered a well-appointed interior comparable to rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims, along with lumbar support and heated front seats. The Tucson's new platform allowed for increased passenger and cargo space, with a 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area that was competitive within its segment. The rear seats offered a 60-40 split-folding bench, and a dual-level cargo floor was available on ICE models. The Tucson's cabin provided ample space for a family of four, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model included a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the expansive dash. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a straightforward interface.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered a robust set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen was available, though it required plugging in devices for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was part of a sleek head unit with integrated climate and media controls, though it lacked physical buttons, making it challenging to use while driving. The Tucson also featured a fully digital instrument cluster on higher trims, enhancing the modern feel of the cabin.

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 front-and-rear parking sensors. However, it lacked more advanced technologies like lane-keeping assist. The Sequoia scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test but had not been rated in other crash tests.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, with standard forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and more. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai's comprehensive safety offerings were comparable to those in luxury SUVs. The Tucson also came with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and complimentary maintenance for three years.