2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Toyota Sienna

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly designed SUV body. Its traditional grille and front bumper gave it a distinct look, setting it apart from the Tundra's more unconventional design. 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 interior was available in a sophisticated cream white-over-black color scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro trim or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability. The Sequoia Capstone test vehicle, equipped with 4WD and additional features, had an MSRP of $81,365.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna aimed to redefine the minivan aesthetic, shedding its traditional image with a front-end design reminiscent of a Japanese bullet train. While most trims featured 18-inch wheels, the FWD XSE and Platinum trims boasted 20-inch wheels. The Sienna offered a range of trims, including the base LE, XLE, sporty XSE, Limited, and top-tier Platinum, along with a 25th Anniversary Special Edition. The XLE trim was expected to be popular among value-conscious buyers, offering features like LED fog lights, power-sliding doors, and a power liftgate. Inside, the Sienna impressed with its high-quality brown leather upholstery and wood-grain accents in the Platinum trim. It accommodated seven or eight passengers, with the latter option available in the LE and XLE trims. The eight-seater configuration allowed for three-across car seats in the middle row, secured with LATCH anchors.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a robust hybrid powertrain, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous V8, the new V6 offered increased 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 improved significantly, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. During testing, the Capstone 4WD model 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 contributed to a varied ride quality, and the steering was noted to be slow, requiring effort in tight maneuvers. The regenerative braking system, while typical for hybrids, felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two front-mounted electric motors and an additional rear-mounted motor for AWD trims, producing a combined 245 horsepower. While the power output was modest compared to competitors, the Sienna's chassis and steering impressed with nimbleness and ease of handling. The Sienna offered drive modes like EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport, but Normal mode was recommended for the best balance. The CVT transmission, while efficient, was not the most pleasant-sounding, and the Sienna's acceleration was less spirited than rivals like the Honda Odyssey. Despite this, the Sienna was enjoyable to drive, particularly in urban settings, thanks to its light steering and tight turning radius.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on highways, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked adjustability, impacting third-row space. The third-row seat, positioned above the battery pack, offered limited comfort 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 added versatility, but the overall cargo capacity was reduced compared to the previous model, with a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna boasted an array of interior storage solutions, including a spacious cubby below the center console and a long shelf across the dashboard. The Sienna's minivan platform maximized space, offering 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 75.2 cubic feet with the third row folded. Total cargo capacity reached 101 cubic feet, though the middle row couldn't be removed or folded into the floor. The second-row captain's chairs were highly functional, with extending ottomans and adjustable tracks for enhanced legroom. The Sienna's third-row seats accommodated adults comfortably, a rarity in three-row crossovers.

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 was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services included user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for navigation, though some quirks were noted during testing. The Capstone trim added a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's tech successfully assisted in safety scenarios, such as automatic rear braking when pedestrians were detected.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna utilized an older infotainment interface, offering core features like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system included physical buttons, which some users preferred for ease of use. However, the interface felt dated and required wired connections for smartphone integration. Despite its quirks, the Sienna's technology was reliable, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12-speaker JBL audio system providing satisfactory performance.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Sienna impressed with its standard safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, and the 2022 model, mechanically identical to the 2023 version, earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. While competitors offered additional features like intercom systems and rear-seat cameras, the Sienna focused on essential safety technologies.