2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Nissan Pathfinder

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its attempts to stay modern with a 2018 facelift, still showed its age. The subtle updates to the headlights and grille were 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 front seats, although 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. The Sequoia was available in several trims, including the SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and Platinum, each offering various features and packages to enhance the driving experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder embraced a new era of design, drawing inspiration from the Rogue and Armada. The updated V-motion grille, LED headlights, and slim daytime running lights contributed to a robust aesthetic. The Pathfinder's design changes aimed to position it as a more capable and rugged vehicle. It was offered in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum, each featuring body-color door handles, chrome badging, and a chrome grille. The Pathfinder's interior was designed with flexibility in mind, offering features like wide-opening doors, optional second-row captain's chairs, and the ability to accommodate up to five car seats. The Pathfinder's interior was more upscale than its competitors, with thoughtful innovations like the EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seat technology and a removable second-row center console.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 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. The Sequoia's acceleration was robust, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. However, the six-speed transmission, while providing a sense of power, was less efficient in terms of fuel economy compared to modern transmissions. The Sequoia drove like a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes, offering a confident driving experience. It had a towing capacity of up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than some competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 284 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth gear transitions. The Pathfinder was available in front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, with various drive and terrain modes. The Pathfinder's fuel economy was competitive, with FWD models achieving 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Pathfinder's suspension provided a stable ride, and its steering was responsive, making it easy to maneuver. With a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, the Pathfinder was equipped with features like trailer sway control technology for stable towing.

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 folded, it offered an impressive 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. Despite its spaciousness, the Sequoia's front-row space could have been better utilized, but it still offered deep in-door pockets and a massive center console for storage.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder focused on interior comfort and flexibility. It featured improved insulation and acoustic laminated glass for a quieter ride. The Pathfinder's design allowed for easy loading and unloading, with features like wide-opening doors and the ability to fit three car seats across the second-row bench. The EZ Flex Latch and Glide second-row seat technology provided easy access to the third row. The Pathfinder offered 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 80.5 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The Pathfinder's interior was designed for comfort, with features like heated and ventilated seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and ample storage space.

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. However, the digital trip computer felt small compared to modern fully-digital instrument panels.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder was equipped with a wealth of technology, including a six-speaker audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Siri Eyes Free, Google Assistant Voice Recognition, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and more. Upper trim levels offered additional features like a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless charging pad, and a 13-speaker Bose Premium Audio system. The Pathfinder Platinum featured a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument panel and head-up display, providing a modern and connected driving experience.

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

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high-beam assist, and rear automatic braking. It also included a driver alertness monitor, rear door alert, and forward-collision warning. Upper trim levels featured a surround-view monitor, and the Pathfinder Platinum had 11 airbags.