2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Kia Seltos

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 distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches of leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, and while it exuded luxury, 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 or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, featuring updated headlights, grille designs, and a connecting light strip between the taillights. These subtle changes gave the Seltos a refreshed appearance without a significant price increase. The test model showcased the new "Pluton Blue" paint, adding to its sharp look. Inside, the Seltos offered new interior colors, with the test model featuring a standard black interior. A standout feature was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, combining a digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The Seltos came in various trims, each offering a range of features, from the base LX with 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen to the top-tier SX with 18-inch alloy wheels, a Bose premium stereo, and an optional sunroof package.

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. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and its payload capacity rose to 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg for 4WD and 22 mpg for RWD. 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 driving mode, though the ride quality could be busy and jittery in Normal mode. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). The X-Line and SX trims came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbo engine provided noticeable acceleration, especially in Sport mode, despite some turbo lag at lower speeds. The Seltos handled various road surfaces well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll. The brakes initially felt touchy but settled down during the drive. With 7.3 inches of ground clearance, the Seltos was capable of light off-road adventures.

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 power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller passengers might find them inconvenient. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked adjustability, impacting third-row space. The third-row seat was less comfortable due to its high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet by sliding the seat forward. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than its predecessor and rivals.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 26.6 cubic feet with them in use. The SX trim featured a hands-free power liftgate. The Seltos provided ample headroom and legroom, even for taller occupants, with an upright seating position for good visibility. The front seating area included decently sized cupholders and in-door cubbies, while the SX trim added a removable cargo cover.

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 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though glare was an issue in the Capstone trim. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, though it occasionally misinterpreted requests. The Capstone trim also included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented accidents.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered an 8-inch touchscreen on the base LX trim, while other trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The infotainment system featured a logical layout with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SX trim included an eight-speaker Bose premium stereo system and Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access. The Seltos retained physical controls for volume and climate settings, providing a user-friendly experience.

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, adaptive cruise control, and more. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's Tundra platform received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered standard driver assistance features such as forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and driver attention warning. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, smart cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. The SX trim included advanced features like highway driving assist and junction-turning function for forward collision warning.