2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Ford Bronco

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. This redesign gave the Sequoia a more commanding presence compared to its predecessor. The traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional 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 was a focal point in the Capstone's interior, which was available in a cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included the SR5, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Capstone trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. The TRD Pro trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities, while the SR5 and Limited trims could be equipped with a TRD Off-Road Package for added ruggedness. The Sequoia Capstone test vehicle featured 4WD, Wind Chill Pearl paint, and a rear air suspension, with an MSRP of $81,365.

The 2023 Ford Bronco was available in nine distinct trim levels, each showcasing a blend of retro-cool styling and modern engineering. Its blocky shape, wide horizontal grille, and round headlights made it instantly recognizable. The Base trim had a minimalist look with steel wheels, while the Raptor trim stood out with its wide stance, elevated height, and massive tires. The Heritage trim added nostalgic elements like a white grille, roof, and wheels, along with plaid seat upholstery. The Bronco's design was not just for show; functional features like cleats above the headlights and raised fins aided in cargo securing and obstacle navigation. Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with a distinctive dash, sealed switches, and waterproof materials, making it easy to clean after off-road adventures. The interior prioritized durability over luxury, with sturdy handholds and customizable features. While some creaking was noted over bumps, the Bronco was quieter than a comparable Jeep Wrangler.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the V8's rumble, the new V6 offered improved towing and payload capacities, with a maximum tow rating of 9,520 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. During testing, the Capstone 4WD averaged 17.8 mpg. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling based on the mode, but the ride quality was occasionally busy and jittery. The steering was slow, requiring effort in tight spaces, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Ford Bronco offered three engine choices: a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, a twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the Raptor with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. All engines came with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. The base four-cylinder engine was adequate for most driving scenarios, while the 2.7-liter V6 was better suited for the heavier four-door model. The Raptor's engine provided exhilarating power, though it was more than most drivers needed. The Bronco's ride quality was bouncier than a typical SUV but more stable than a Jeep Wrangler. It tracked well on highways and was quieter than a Wrangler. The Bronco's high-riding dimensions required careful handling on curvy roads, but it felt more confident than expected. Maneuvering the four-door model was aided by cameras, making it less stressful than anticipated.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable front seats, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The upper door panel shelf provided a convenient resting place for long trips. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The Sequoia Platinum trim and above featured a panoramic sunroof, impacting second-row headroom. Second-row captain's chairs offered comfort but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat was less comfortable than rivals, with limited thigh support and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but items could fall out without careful unloading. Folding the third-row seats increased capacity to 49 cubic feet, while folding the second row provided 86.9 cubic feet, less than the previous model and competitors.

The 2023 Ford Bronco's boxy design maximized interior space, with ample room in both the front and rear. The four-door model offered easier access to the rear seats compared to the two-door. Up front, storage options included netted door pockets and a rubberized tray for phones. Accessory rails on the dash accommodated cameras and GPS devices, with a USB jack for charging. The two-door Bronco provided 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 52.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The four-door offered 35.6 cubic feet, increasing to 77.6 cubic feet. However, the rear seats didn't fold flat, creating a step-up that hindered sliding longer items. The Bronco's removable fenders and doors added to its off-road appeal, with the Raptor's fenders being non-removable.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and a guest mode. The Drive Connect plan included an Intelligent Assistant for directions, though it occasionally misinterpreted commands. The system supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing, but a bug affected phone call functionality. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. A surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were standard on higher trims. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented collisions.

The 2023 Ford Bronco utilized technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. drive modes optimized engine and suspension settings for various terrains, aiding novices in off-road driving. Experienced drivers could manually select features like transfer case gearing and sway-bar disconnects. Camera views provided visibility in tight spots, with predictive lines aiding navigation. The Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharp turns by braking the inside rear wheel. The Bronco's infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Ford's SYNC 4. A wireless charging pad was optional, and most Broncos had an eight-inch touchscreen, with a 12-inch display available.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking were also standard. While crash test results were unavailable, the Tundra's high IIHS rating suggested good safety performance for the Sequoia.

The 2023 Ford Bronco received partial NHTSA ratings, with four stars for frontal crash protection and three stars for rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the four-door Bronco "Good" ratings in most crashworthiness tests, with "Acceptable" for head restraints and seats. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, trailer-sway assist, and Trail Turn Assist. The Mid package added blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package included front parking sensors and a 360-degree camera system, while the Luxe package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.