2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Volvo XC90

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 matter of personal taste, but it certainly stood out more than its predecessor. The Sequoia's interior shared much 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 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 TRD Off-Road Package added features like 18-inch TRD wheels and off-road suspension to the SR5 and Limited trims. The Sequoia Capstone test vehicle featured 4WD, Wind Chill Pearl paint, and a rear air suspension, with an MSRP of $81,365.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 marked a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs, presenting a purposeful yet understated appearance. Its front end was solid and assertive, with a grille that was bold without being flashy. The "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, and the XC90's dimensions retained a rectilinear shape without resembling the toasters of old. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels with low-profile Pirelli Scorpion all-season tires, adding drama to its otherwise stoic demeanor. The Platinum Gray paint had brown undertones, providing richness and depth. Inside, the XC90's design was elegant, with a two-tone leather steering wheel, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and Nappa leather upholstery. The interior exuded a clean and minimalist feel, with wood deco inlays adding a touch of nature. The XC90's cabin had few physical controls, contributing to its minimalist aesthetic.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with 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 hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the rumble of the previous 5.7-liter V8, 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 on a mountainous route. The Sequoia's driving modes included Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling traits based on the driving mode. However, the Sequoia's ride quality could be busy and jittery in Normal mode, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight maneuvers. The regenerative braking system felt unresponsive and heavy, leading to inconsistent braking behavior.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 powertrains. The B5 engine featured a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, tested in the review, combined a supercharger, turbo, and mild-hybrid tech to deliver 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. While the mild-hybrid setup didn't provide full-hybrid benefits, it improved fuel efficiency and smoothed operation. The XC90's driving experience was enjoyable, with quick acceleration and a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission. The SUV handled corners well, and road and wind noise were minimal. The XC90's brakes inspired confidence with a solid pedal feel. Unlike many SUVs, the XC90 didn't focus on off-road capabilities, offering simplicity in its driving dynamics. During testing, the XC90 navigated a New Hampshire snowstorm with ease, though dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

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. The wide, flat upper door panel shelf provided a convenient resting place for the driver's arm. 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 were comfortable but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, mounted 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 helped maximize space, but the Sequoia's overall cargo capacity was smaller than its rivals.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior exuded Scandinavian minimalism, though it lacked cubby space for smaller items. The center console bin was small, and the USB port for phone charging was inconveniently located. The second row was comfortable and spacious, but adjusting the seats was challenging. The XC90 offered a standard second-row bench seat for seven-passenger seating, with an option for captain's chairs at an additional cost. Accessing the third row was difficult with the bench seat in place. Cargo space was competitive, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. The XC90's maximum cargo capacity of 65.5 cubic feet fell short of some competitors. Despite its smaller size, the XC90 drove like a smaller car, offering a pleasant driving experience.

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 allowed for user accounts and a guest mode. The Drive Connect plan included an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands, though it occasionally provided incomplete results. The system supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, but there were occasional glitches. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display, though it was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. The Sequoia's safety tech included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented accidents.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's tech offering featured a 9-inch vertically positioned touchscreen running Google OS, with Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The system's natural-language recognition was impressive, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design lacked physical buttons for essential functions, requiring screen interaction for tasks like adjusting the heated steering wheel. While these issues might fade with familiarity, they could be challenging during a test drive.

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 safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping could be irritating. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's Tundra platform received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The XC90's advanced driver safety tech included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, which maintained distance from the car ahead and provided gentle lane corrections. These safety features were standard on the XC90, reinforcing Volvo's reputation for safety.