2022 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a stalwart in the SUV market, continued its second generation into its 14th year without substantial changes. Its exterior design adhered to the principle that "good taste never goes out of style," featuring a modestly sized grille, elegant wheel arches, and straight lines that gave it a commanding presence. Despite its mature design, the Sequoia's interior felt dated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen that seemed out of place in a modern vehicle. However, the interior was built with typical Toyota quality, ensuring durability and comfort for families. The Nightshade Special Edition model added a contemporary touch with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, enhancing its visual appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid marked a significant departure from its predecessors with a more assertive and truck-like design. It was longer and wider, giving it a muscular stance, and featured modern LED taillights with three L shapes for a bold look. The Sport Touring trim, with its deep Canyon River Blue color, black roof rails, and 19-inch wheels, exuded a sporty vibe. Inside, the CR-V Hybrid followed the design direction of the 2022 Civic and 2023 HR-V, offering a premium feel with high-quality materials and attractive contrast stitching. The honeycomb grille surrounding the climate control vents added a touch of elegance to the cabin.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided a reliable and durable performance. The Sequoia's truck roots contributed to its impressive payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its weight of 5,730 to 6,000 pounds resulted in less-than-stellar fuel economy, with ratings of 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for RWD models. Despite its heft, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities thanks to its body-on-frame construction and ample ground clearance.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a new hybrid powertrain combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor hybrid-electric system, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. This made it the most powerful CR-V to date, with a top speed of 115 mph. The CR-V Hybrid offered four drive modes, including a new Snow mode, and an updated Real Time AWD system for improved traction. The "B" shifter position allowed for increased regenerative braking, enhancing fuel efficiency. The CR-V Hybrid's FWD model achieved impressive fuel economy ratings of 43 mpg city, 36 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort with spacious seating across all three rows and three-zone climate control. A power moonroof and available heated and ventilated front seats added to the comfort. The Sequoia offered ample storage, with a center console, glove compartment, and door pockets. Its cargo space was versatile, with 18.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and a massive 120.1 cubic feet with both the second and third rows down.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid benefited from its larger exterior, resulting in increased interior volume. It offered 36.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 76.5 cubic feet with them folded. The Sport Touring model featured a hands-free power tailgate, and wide-opening rear doors facilitated easy access. Rear seat legroom increased to 41 inches, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The CR-V Hybrid's interior boasted thoughtful storage solutions, including a cubby for smartphones and eight cupholders, while the console provided best-in-class storage.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's technology felt outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. However, it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, WiFi connectivity, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Limited trim added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, while a premium audio package enhanced the sound experience. Despite its technological shortcomings, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and a rear backup camera.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid catered to tech-savvy consumers with a standard 7-inch touchscreen and a 9-inch display for the Sport Touring trim. It included physical buttons for essential functions, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The Sport Touring trim offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system. Honda's smart navigation system optimized fuel efficiency based on the route, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite included pre-collision systems, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The STAR safety system provided stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. The Sequoia also featured a full complement of airbags, LATCH connectors, and trailer sway-control.

The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in safety, with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies as standard. It included improved collision mitigation, road-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assist systems. New features for 2023 included traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and low-speed braking control. The CR-V Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS and five stars from NHTSA, thanks to its new airbags, stiffer structure, and enhanced visibility.