2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 INFINITI QX60

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its attempts to stay modern, showed its age with a design that dated back to 2007. The 2018 facelift brought minor updates to the headlights and grille, but these changes were subtle against the vehicle's large silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's design felt 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 front seats, though bulky, left tall drivers feeling cramped, especially with the optional sunroof. However, the second-row seats offered ample headroom and legroom, providing comfort and support throughout the cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a complete redesign, marking the start of its second generation. The exterior featured a striking new look with a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes, giving it a concept-car appearance. The interior felt wide and open, with quilted leather upholstery and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The QX60's craftsmanship and build quality were evident, with intuitive controls and a high level of comfort for passengers in all three rows. The Autograph trim level added luxurious touches, such as a contrasting black roof and a smart rearview mirror, enhancing the overall premium feel of the vehicle.

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, 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 that of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. However, it exhibited some body roll in corners, despite its wide stance. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The new nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous CVT, offering a superior driving experience with clean and crisp shifts. The QX60's suspension, with MacPherson struts in the front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, provided a smooth and serene ride. While not designed for aggressive cornering, the QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets. Its towing capacity reached up to 6,000 pounds with the optional towing package, making it a versatile choice for families.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up 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. Despite its generous interior space, the Sequoia's front-row design felt outdated, with deep in-door pockets and a massive center console providing ample storage.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 offered a luxurious and versatile interior, with storage throughout the cabin and charging ports for all passengers. The second-row seats, which could slide fore and aft, provided easy access to the roomy third row. The QX60's cargo space measured 14.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 75.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The shift-by-wire technology allowed for additional storage space beneath the center console, enhancing convenience for drivers and passengers alike.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. While the system was easy to use, it felt dated compared to modern offerings. The digital trip computer was small, but its simplicity was appreciated.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 impressed with its 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity. The vehicle included a WiFi hotspot, multiple USB charge points, and a wireless charging pad on higher trims. The Autograph trim featured a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror, enhancing safety and convenience. The QX60's audio system ranged from a nine-speaker setup in base models to a 17-speaker Bose Performance series in higher trims.

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 technologies like lane-keeping assist and scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came with a comprehensive array of safety features, including multiple airbags, forward emergency braking, predictive forward-collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The ProPilot Assist system was standard on all trims except Pure, offering advanced driver assistance. Optional features included blind-spot intervention, lane-departure warning, and an around-view monitor camera system. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the previous generation received high marks, suggesting similar performance for the 2022 model.