2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Cadillac Escalade

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly sculpted SUV body. Its design was a significant departure from its predecessor, offering a more commanding presence. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more aggressive look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches in the Capstone trim, such as leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior was available in a cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a towering figure, nearly six-and-a-half feet tall and up to 19 feet long. It was designed for show, with a bold presence that made it a favorite among pop musicians and large families. The Escalade's athletic and trim appearance was achieved through clever design elements like thin LED lights and darkened chrome bits in the Sport Platinum trim. The interior was rich, with a 38-inch curved screen across the dashboard and various wood trim options. While the front row exuded luxury, the second and third rows borrowed elements from cheaper GM vehicles, which was disappointing for a vehicle of its price. The Escalade's spaciousness and design made it a standout in the luxury SUV market.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a hybrid powertrain that delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the Sequoia to tow up to 9,520 pounds and carry a payload of 1,730 pounds. The new Sequoia was more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, achieving up to 22 mpg with rear-wheel drive. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. However, the Sequoia's steering was slow, and its regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade featured a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, allowing it to tow up to 8,200 pounds. The Escalade-V variant offered a supercharged V8 with 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque, providing impressive acceleration. The Escalade also offered a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with 277 horsepower and better fuel economy. The Escalade's 4WD system was more rudimentary than some competitors, but its magnetic dampers and air suspension provided a smooth ride. The Escalade's steering was well-tuned, making it more maneuverable than many large SUVs.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. However, the Sequoia's interior space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. The third-row seats were less comfortable than competitors, and the Sequoia's overall cargo capacity was smaller than its rivals.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade boasted a spacious interior with 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 73 cubic feet behind the second row, and 121 cubic feet with both rows down. The Escalade ESV offered even more space, making it a leader in passenger and cargo capacity. The Escalade's controls were user-friendly, and features like a front console refrigerator and power-retractable side steps added convenience. The air suspension made loading and unloading cargo easier, and the tailgate's separate glass window was a practical touch.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but glare on the display was an issue. The Sequoia offered connected services with an Intelligent Assistant, though it had some quirks. A 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system were also available.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade was a tech powerhouse, featuring a span of OLED screens across the dash with sharp clarity. The Escalade's Super Cruise system was a standout, offering hands-free highway driving with eye-tracking cameras for safety. The Escalade also included night vision with pedestrian detection, a 36-speaker AKG audio system, and massaging front seats. The rear-seat entertainment system could stream apps like Hulu, and the LED headlights were exceptionally bright.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. The Sequoia also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform-mate, the Tundra, received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade earned four out of five stars from the NHTSA, with lower ratings for front-passenger protection and rollover resistance. The Escalade included standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking and a Safety Alert seat. Optional features included reverse emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and Super Cruise.