2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2024 Toyota Sequoia

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was available in six trim levels, offering a range of options from the budget-friendly RAV4 LE to the more luxurious RAV4 Limited. The Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims stood out with their distinctive two-part face design, introduced in 2019. The Adventure trim, which we tested, featured a more aggressive grille with a centrally positioned Toyota badge, blacked-out wheels, and a faux skid plate. Despite its rugged appearance, it was more of a style statement than a true off-road performer. Inside, the Adventure trim added orange accents, including a stripe on the seats and contrast stitching, enhancing the otherwise basic interior. The frameless rearview mirror added a touch of sophistication, but for a more premium feel, the Toyota Venza was a better option. The RAV4 offered a variety of seating options, from fabric seats in the LE and XLE trims to synthetic leather in the XLE Premium, with heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats available in higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and design cues with the Tundra pickup, featuring hexagonal grilles, strong fender creases, and a muscular stance. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model in Celestial Silver giving off a "cop car" vibe, while the Solar Octane orange and Lunar Rock gray options added a more playful touch. Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra and other Toyota models, with a blocky, geometric dashboard layout and physical controls for volume and climate. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered fabric, SofTex, or leather seating surfaces. All trims featured at least eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof was standard across the lineup. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with a shallow covered compartment on the center console and a roomy cubby beneath.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came standard with front-wheel drive, except for the Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims, which featured all-wheel drive. The RAV4 offered a single engine choice for its gas-powered models: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the transmission was preferable to a CVT, it didn't enhance acceleration, making the RAV4's performance more "unobjectionable" than "exciting." The Adventure trim, with its 19-inch wheels and all-season tires, was not as off-road capable as the TRD Off-Road trim, which featured 18-inch wheels with Falken All-Terrain tires and a TRD-tuned suspension.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was offered exclusively as a hybrid, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, which combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor. This setup delivered 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over its V8 predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with four-wheel drive. The TRD Pro trim was available only with 4WD, featuring a part-time system with 4Hi, 4Lo, and 2WD options. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate for its class. The TRD Off-Road package, available on select trims, added all-terrain tires, a skid plate, and off-road suspension components. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, with towing-related upgrades available.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 was designed to seat five passengers. With the moonroof, it offered 37.7 inches of headroom in the front row and 39.5 inches in the back, providing more rear headroom than the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Legroom measured 41 inches in the front and 37.8 inches in the second row, comparable to the CR-V but less than both the CR-V and Forester in the back. The RAV4's back seat was narrower than its competitors. The front passenger enjoyed convenient storage options, including a shelf above the glove compartment and large door pockets. The RAV4 provided 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone featured automatic power-deploying running boards, making it easier for shorter individuals to enter the vehicle. The Sequoia offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both the second and third rows folded. Behind the second row, it provided 49 cubic feet, and behind the third row, it ranged from 11.5 to 22.3 cubic feet, depending on the seat position. The third-row seats did not create a flat load floor when folded due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was 39.2 inches in the front, 37.5-38.4 inches in the middle, and 35.6 inches in the back. Legroom ranged from 28.1 to 33.7 inches in the third row, 39.2 inches in the second row, and 41.2 inches in the front. Second-row captain's chairs were available in higher trims, offering wide but flat seating.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 introduced a new infotainment system with an 8.0-inch touchscreen as standard, while Limited and TRD Off-Road trims featured a 10.5-inch touchscreen. The system supported over-the-air updates and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Adventure trim we tested had an upgraded multimedia system with a 10.5-inch screen and an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system. A 7-inch driver-information display was standard, with a 12.3-inch version available on the Limited trim.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone came equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible through an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on other trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch driver-information display across all trims and a standard Panoramic View monitor. A 10-inch color head-up display was standard on Capstone and available on Platinum. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on Limited and standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 came with standard safety features, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam LED headlights, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also available. The RAV4 was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The 2023 RAV4 earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite as standard, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with Trailer Merge Warning were also standard. The Tow Technology Package, available on select trims, added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The 2024 Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.