2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat plain exterior, offered a practical and functional design. Its Cascade Green Silica paint was reminiscent of many Foresters from the past, giving it a classic Subaru look. The Forester came in various trims, with the Touring trim being the most visually appealing due to its 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim. The interior of the Forester Touring featured Saddle Brown leather, exposed stitching, and metallic accents, maintaining a traditional Subaru design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. While the interior was busy with a mix of materials and controls, it was user-friendly and easy to clean, emphasizing functionality over aesthetics.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared design elements with the Tundra pickup, featuring hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Capstone model, with its Celestial Silver paint, had a more subdued appearance, but a change in color could dramatically alter its look. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard design, with physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered a range of seating materials. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable front seats and a standard power-tilt and -slide moonroof, providing a comfortable and customizable driving experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked a traditional automatic. The Forester's SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness, and most trims included an X-Mode off-road traction management system. The Forester Touring, tested in challenging weather conditions, demonstrated its capability on flooded roads and muddy trails, inspiring confidence in its all-weather performance. Despite its adequate power, the Forester's engine was louder than desired, but its excellent driving dynamics, including light steering and effective brakes, made for an enjoyable ride. However, the Forester's fuel economy fell short of expectations, and a turbocharged or hybrid option would have been welcome.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, exclusively available as a hybrid, featured the iForce MAX powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim offered off-road capabilities with a part-time 4WD system, while the TRD Off-Road package added features like all-terrain tires and Bilstein shocks. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, with various towing-related upgrades available. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth operation, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate for its class.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering features like a panoramic sunroof, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats in the Premium trim. Higher trims added leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester's excellent outward visibility and easy entry and exit made it user-friendly. However, the panoramic sunroof's lack of tinting could lead to excessive solar heating, and the rear seats lacked comfort for taller passengers. The Forester's cargo space was practical, with 26.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.1 cubic feet with them folded, providing ample room for storage.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both rear rows folded. The second-row seats were easy to move for access to the third row, but the third-row seats did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid battery pack. The Sequoia's interior dimensions were competitive, with ample legroom in the first and second rows. Second-row captain's chairs were available in higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering. The Sequoia's automatic power-deploying running boards made entry easier, though they required some adjustment to avoid shin bumps.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation and other functions.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessed through an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system prioritized functionality over flashiness, and the driver-information display was a 12.3-inch full-color screen. The Sequoia included a Panoramic View monitor and a 10-inch head-up display on higher trims. The JBL Premium Audio system was available on the Limited trim and standard on higher trims, providing a high-quality audio experience.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system with updated software and cameras for improved performance. Models with blind-spot monitoring included Automatic Emergency Steering, and higher trims offered Rear Automatic Braking. The Forester's DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System was exclusive to the Touring trim. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, though it received lower scores in some new tests.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, with features like a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Sequoia also had blind-spot monitoring with Trailer Merge Warning and front and rear parking sensors. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.