2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Ford Explorer was a testament to Ford's consistent design philosophy, offering a family resemblance across its SUV lineup. With its sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages, the Explorer stood out among other brands' SUVs. The vehicle's exterior varied with trim levels, featuring different grille designs and chrome accents. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with the base model offering cloth upholstery. The dashboard was clean and user-friendly, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large knobs for audio and climate controls. The Explorer's interior space was practical, with a rotary gearshift freeing up storage space. The XLT trim was the most popular, offering enhanced features like a power front passenger seat and nicer finishes, while higher trims provided leather upholstery.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a commanding presence with its large silhouette. The vehicle's design updates in 2018, including new headlights and grille, were subtle but aimed to keep it modern. Inside, the Sequoia's massive center dash design was reminiscent of the mid-2000s, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dash. The cabin offered ample space, particularly in the second row, with comfortable and supportive seats. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, each offering various features and packages. The Nightshade Special Edition added unique styling elements, while the TRD Pro was tailored for off-road use. The Sequoia's interior was practical, with deep door pockets and a massive center console, though newer SUVs offered better space utilization.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds and featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperformed competitors like the Kia Telluride's V6. All Explorer trims were equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, delivering 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented Explorer ST offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it suitable for towing moderate loads.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission routed power through standard rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive. Despite its weight of up to 6,000 pounds, the Sequoia offered stout acceleration. The vehicle's driving dynamics were truck-like, with a soft suspension and strong brakes. The Sequoia's towing capacity was 7,400 pounds, which was less than competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe but still more capable than most SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, with captain's chairs in higher trims reducing capacity to six. The Explorer provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive within its segment. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, and 81 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was less than some competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia's cabin was one of its main selling points, offering nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded. With all rear seats folded, the Sequoia provided 120 cubic feet of cargo space, which was competitive with other full-size SUVs. The Sequoia featured a power-retractable rear window, a practical feature for accessing the cargo area. The interior offered ample storage with deep door pockets and a large center console, though newer SUVs offered better space utilization.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims offered a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a Bang & Olufsen audio system with up to 14 speakers. The Explorer provided multiple USB ports and power outlets, with a wireless charging pad available from the Limited trim up.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with large hard buttons for easy navigation. The Sequoia's digital trip computer was small but functional. Despite its dated technology, the Sequoia offered modern smartphone connectivity and simplicity.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests. The Explorer offered the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sequoia lacked some advanced features like lane-keeping assist but offered a comprehensive list of standard safety features. It scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.