2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Buick Envista

The 2024 Buick Envista, while sharing its platform with the Chevy Trax, took a distinct styling path. Its sloping roofline gave it a "crossover coupe" appearance, reminiscent of more upscale models like the BMW X4 and X6. Although a more traditional roofline might have enhanced rear visibility, the design was deemed acceptable. The Envista's front-end styling, inspired by the Buick Wildcat EV concept, featured a split lighting design with thin daytime running lights above and real headlights positioned vertically beside the grille. This sleek design was a first for Buick, setting the Envista apart from models like the Envision and Encore GX, which received similar styling as part of mid-cycle refreshes. The ST grade boasted black exterior trim and 18-inch wheels, while the top Avenir trim featured bright exterior trim and standard 19-inch wheels. Inside, the Envista's cabin, though similar to the Trax, offered a more streamlined look with softer materials, albeit with a somewhat artificial texture. The interior was a step up from the Trax, but still aligned with entry-level expectations.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and several design cues with the Tundra pickup, including hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Sequoia's appearance varied significantly with exterior color choices. The Capstone model, with its chrome accents and Celestial Silver paint, appeared somewhat dated, while a switch to Solar Octane orange and black accents transformed it into a more rugged "Tonka truck" look. Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra and other Toyota models, featuring a blocky, geometric dashboard layout with physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim offered semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims had fabric or SofTex seating. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable front seats across the lineup and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof standard on higher trims. The Sequoia's interior design and features made it a comfortable and versatile choice for families and adventurers alike.

The 2024 Buick Envista was powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This powertrain, shared with the Trax, delivered a surprisingly refined performance, offering smooth power delivery akin to larger engines. Unlike its predecessor, the Buick Encore, the Envista did not offer all-wheel drive, distinguishing it from the Encore GX. The Envista featured a torsion-beam rear suspension on base models, while models with 19-inch wheels received a Buick-exclusive Watts Link rear suspension for improved ride quality. The front suspension was a MacPherson strut setup with Buick-specific tuning for a quieter ride. During testing, the Envista handled bumps well but felt slightly unsettled on imperfect roads. Despite this, the Envista provided a more premium feel compared to the Trax, with quieter acceleration and a comfortable ride.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available as a hybrid, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, delivering 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over its V8 predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with four-wheel drive. The TRD Pro trim featured a part-time 4WD system with off-road enhancements, while other trims offered 4WD as an option. The Sequoia's 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, providing adequate on-road handling. The TRD Off-Road package added off-road features like all-terrain tires and Bilstein shocks. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, with towing-related upgrades available. Overall, the Sequoia's hybrid powertrain and off-road capabilities made it a powerful and versatile choice for those seeking adventure.

The 2024 Buick Envista was 14.2 inches longer than the outgoing Buick Encore, with a 5.7-inch wheelbase stretch. This increase in size contributed to a more fashion-forward design and improved interior space. Rear-seat legroom grew by three inches, and shoulder room increased by about two inches in both rows, creating a more spacious feel. However, the coupe-like roofline resulted in slightly reduced headroom, particularly for second-row passengers. The seats were comfortable for the price point, and the car-like design provided good outward visibility. The Envista offered 20.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 42 cubic feet with them folded, less than the Trax and other competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. Behind the second row, there were 49 cubic feet, and behind the third row, it ranged from 11.5 to 22.3 cubic feet, depending on seat position. The second-row seats were easy to move for access to the third row, but folding the third-row seats did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was reduced in the rear, and legroom varied across rows. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering. Overall, the Sequoia offered ample space and versatility for families and adventurers.

The 2024 Buick Envista came standard with an 11-inch touchscreen and 8-inch digital instrument cluster, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The user interface was similar to the Trax, with easy-to-use controls and retained buttons for climate and audio. However, the center stack's tilt toward the driver made controls less accessible for passengers. While the Envista lacked some optional tech features, it offered a competitive amount of standard features for its price range.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the Capstone trim, was equipped with a 14-inch touchscreen for all but the base SR5 trim, which had an 8-inch screen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system was functional, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch driver-information display and a Panoramic View monitor as standard. A 10-inch color head-up display was available on higher trims, and the JBL Premium Audio system was standard on upper trims. The Sequoia's technology offerings provided convenience and ease of use for drivers and passengers.

The 2024 Buick Envista's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert. The safety equipment was similar to the Chevy Trax and typical for its price range.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and Trailer Merge Warning were also standard. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The Sequoia's safety features were comprehensive and designed to enhance driver confidence.