2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis' first SUV, was a fresh design that wasn't burdened by a long legacy of design language. This allowed it to innovate while still incorporating signature styling cues from the brand's sedans. The GV80 featured an elegant two-box design with a long hood, short front overhang, and a distinctive grille with a diamond mesh and the Genesis flying "G" badge. The SUV's design was further accentuated by Quad Lamp LED headlights and taillights, large wheel arches, and trapezoidal tailpipes. Inside, the GV80 boasted a sleek and uncluttered dashboard, with a focus on horizontal elements to enhance spaciousness. The interior was filled with authentic materials like real wood, metal, and leather, creating a luxurious atmosphere.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, introduced in 2007, showed its age despite a facelift in 2018. The Sequoia's design updates, including new headlights and grille, were subtle and easily lost in its large silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's multi-tiered center dash design felt dated, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dash. Despite its size, the front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, though the second-row seats offered ample space. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, each offering various features and styling touches, but the overall design remained rooted in the mid-2000s.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The V6 models came standard with all-wheel drive, while the four-cylinder models had rear-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GV80's suspension system included independent multi-link suspension and, on 3.5T models, an electronically-controlled suspension with road preview. The GV80's fuel economy varied, with the 2.5T achieving up to 23 mpg combined and the 3.5T AWD rated at 20 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive with low range. Despite its weight, the Sequoia offered strong acceleration and a truck-like driving experience, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached up to 7,400 pounds, though it lagged behind competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in this regard.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a circular multimedia controller with dual control capabilities. The HVAC control panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The GV80's second row was spacious and comfortable, with available power seats and window shades. A third row was standard only on the 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, offering a power-fold function for increased passenger capacity.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and multiple cupholders. Despite its age, the Sequoia provided ample storage options, though newer SUVs had improved space utilization.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and over-the-air updates. The system allowed for user-configurable split-screen displays and cloud profiles for personalized settings. Android users could utilize a digital key function, while the GV80 offered three years of complimentary Genesis Connected Services. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims, along with a Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround audio system with 21 speakers.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model included a larger 9-inch screen, though it still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. While the digital trip computer was small, it was easy to use, offering a straightforward experience despite the dated technology.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Genesis aimed for top safety ratings. The GV80 came equipped with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of advanced safety features such as blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and forward collision-avoidance assist. The GV80 also offered adaptive cruise control with machine learning and highway-driving assist, along with Remote Smart Parking Assist for automated parking.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were also standard. However, the Sequoia lacked more advanced features like lane-keeping assist. The Sequoia scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test but had not been rated in other crash tests.