Toyota Sequoia vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition was a nod to the heritage of its assembly plant's location, offering a unique blend of ruggedness and luxury. It featured machined-finish 20-inch wheels, Saddle Tan leather upholstery, and American walnut wood trim, setting it apart from other trims like the SR5, Limited, and TRD Pro. Despite its hefty price tag, the interior quality was a mix of premium and standard materials, with some elements like the TRD accents feeling out of place. The exterior, especially in Lunar Rock paint with TRD off-road wheels, turned heads, but the interior's plastic components detracted from its luxury appeal.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander focused on practicality and space. Its exterior design was boxy and functional, with trims offering different wheel sizes and styling elements. The interior was spacious, especially in the third row, which offered more legroom than the standard Highlander. The cabin was practical, with features like a storage shelf in the dash and ample cupholders. The Grand Highlander prioritized comfort and utility, making it a suitable choice for families needing space and functionality.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. It featured a part-time 4WD system and various driving modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and Tow/Haul. Despite its muscular performance, the Sequoia's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging only 16.2 mpg in real-world testing. It excelled in towing, with a capacity of 9,010 pounds, but its solid rear axle and battery placement compromised interior space and ride quality. The TRD Off-Road Package added off-road capabilities, but the low ground clearance limited its potential.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 265 horsepower and a Hybrid Max option with 362 horsepower. The Hybrid Max featured full-time AWD, enhancing stability and agility. While not a performance vehicle, it provided quick acceleration and confident braking. The Multi-Terrain Select system offered various settings for different terrains, but the Grand Highlander was more suited for on-road use. Its towing capacity reached up to 5,000 pounds with the gas or Hybrid Max powertrains, making it versatile for family adventures.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best for shorter individuals due to limited headroom. The front seats offered comfort with power adjustments, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Accessing the third row was challenging due to the high floor and low roof. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Sequoia's interior was practical but lacked the spaciousness of some rivals.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander excelled in interior space, offering a roomy third row with over five inches more legroom than the standard Highlander. It featured three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel in upper trims. The cabin was designed for convenience, with ample storage options and cupholders throughout. Cargo capacity was impressive, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to nearly 98 cubic feet with all seats stowed. The Grand Highlander provided a comfortable and versatile environment for passengers and cargo alike.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered various connected services plans, with features like cloud-based navigation and remote engine starting requiring subscriptions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but the lack of a tuning knob was frustrating. The Intelligent Assistant voice recognition system had limitations, and the surround-view camera system was helpful for parking.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system was responsive, though some menus were confusing. A digital gauge cluster allowed customization, and the digital rearview camera mirror provided a clear view of the rear. The 360-degree camera system was excellent, offering a see-through bird’s-eye view. The head-up display showed essential information, and the cabin was equipped with multiple USB-C ports and outlets for convenience.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and more. However, the lane assist features were often intrusive, causing false warnings. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings were unavailable from the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2026 Toyota Grand Highlander featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Traffic jam assist was available on top trims, easing the stress of heavy traffic. Proactive Driving Assist was less effective, and the system's intervention was minimal. The Grand Highlander received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and mostly top scores from the IIHS, except for headlights and the small overlap front crash test.