2027 Chevrolet Bolt vs 2026 Toyota Sequoia

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia presented a robust and imposing design, reminiscent of its Tundra pickup sibling. Its tall and wide stance, coupled with blocky features, gave it a commanding presence on the road. The front showcased a large black grille, more contained than the Tundra's, while the sides featured a distinctive shoulder line and pronounced haunches over the wheels. The TRD Pro model emphasized its off-road capabilities with all-terrain tires and black wheel flares, except for the Capstone trim, which opted for body-colored flares. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin continued the chunky theme with large dials and a utilitarian feel, especially in the TRD Pro variant. The interior offered a mix of synthetic leather with camouflage patterns and red stitching, though the quality was deemed merely acceptable for its price range. Buyers could choose between cloth upholstery in the base SR5 trim or real leather in higher trims, with the Platinum and Capstone adding contrast stitching for a touch of luxury.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained its familiar look, with subtle styling changes that made it resemble a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The front end featured a thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo, and the previous grille insert was integrated into the bumper. The Bolt's tall and narrow design prioritized utility and interior space, offering an econobox-like footprint. The RS model added gloss black exterior trim for a slight visual enhancement. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more significant makeover, with a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was relocated to the steering column, freeing up center console space. The cabin was dominated by hard plastic surfaces, reinforcing its budget feel, though padded elbow touchpoints provided some comfort. The RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, while the rear seating area featured hard plastics and lacked padding for door armrests.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia transitioned from a V8 to a hybrid powertrain, known as i-Force Max, featuring a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. An electric motor added 48 hp and 184 lb-ft, drawing power from a 1.87-kWh battery pack. The Sequoia's performance was robust, with a 0-60 mph time of about six seconds, and it maintained a V8-like growl. It could tow up to 9,520 pounds, aided by a haul mode and optional Tow Tech package. However, the large towing mirrors were cumbersome and obstructed views. Handling was typical for a body-on-frame SUV, with noticeable body lean and slow steering. The TRD Pro model featured an off-road-tuned suspension with Fox coil-overs and all-terrain tires, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt introduced a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and reliance on rare earth minerals. A motor from the Chevy Equinox EV provided 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, achieving 0-60 mph in the low seven-second range. While not the fastest by EV standards, the Bolt's acceleration was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs. One-pedal driving was available, with adjustable brake regeneration levels. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and road noise was more noticeable due to the absence of an internal combustion engine. The Bolt's low center of gravity contributed to its agility on curvy roads. It offered an EPA-estimated range of 262 miles on a full charge, with a Tesla-derived NACS charge port and increased charging speed of 150 kW.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia, a full-size SUV, accommodated seven or eight passengers. The first row featured eight-way power seat adjustments and two-way power lumbar adjustments, though the seats were too flat for long-trip comfort. Headroom and legroom were ample, with heated front seats standard and ventilation available on most trims. The Platinum and Capstone trims added ventilated second-row seats. Second-row comfort was commendable, especially with captain’s chairs, and the Sequoia's width allowed for three across in the second and third rows. The third row offered enough space for adults up to six feet tall, but low seat bottoms compromised thigh support. Cargo space was limited, with 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 86.9 cubic feet with seats folded. The cargo floor was not flat, but a cargo shelf helped even it out.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants. Taller drivers might have wished for more telescoping extension from the steering wheel. The rear seats were also upright, providing plenty of headroom and adequate thigh support. The flat floor reduced the penalty for center-seat passengers. The Bolt's cargo capacity was 16.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor for additional storage. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, and release latches were easily accessible. While there was no frunk, the Bolt provided ample storage for personal items, including a large bin with movable dividers, a big floor tray, and a deep center armrest bin.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 14-inch touchscreen available. The instrument cluster displayed trip information, fuel economy, and more, while the touchscreen offered shortcuts to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and vehicle settings. Other standard tech features included satellite radio, an eight-speaker audio system, Wi-Fi Connect, Remote Connect, and Safety Connect. Higher trims offered a head-up display, a 120-volt outlet, a wireless phone charger, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system. Climate controls and drive mode selectors were conveniently located on the center console.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, but Bluetooth pairing allowed access to personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. It also offered navigation with charging station suggestions and vehicle-to-load charging capability for backup power.

The 2026 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional standard features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia received mixed crash-test results from the IIHS, with a top Good score in some tests and a Marginal score in others. The safety systems performed well during testing, but the wide tow mirrors posed challenges in tight spots.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt had not yet been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on its platform. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and a safety alert seat. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and traffic-sign recognition. GM's Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system was available for an additional cost, making the Bolt one of the few budget EVs with such advanced technology.