2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, despite being in its second generation since 2014, continued to impress with its luxurious design and advanced features. The 2018 refresh introduced a dual-screen center console, a hallmark of Land Rover interiors, and the availability of a plug-in hybrid variant. The model offered a range of trims, from the base SE with leather upholstery and a dual-screen infotainment system, to the high-performance SVR Carbon Edition with carbon fiber accents and a powerful V8 engine. Each trim level added layers of luxury and performance, with features like quad-zone climate control, panoramic sunroofs, and high-end Meridian sound systems.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, was a testament to durability and space, though it showed its age since its last major redesign in 2007. The 2018 facelift brought minor updates to the headlights and grille, and the 2021 model introduced a new Nightshade Special Edition. Despite its dated interior design, the Sequoia offered a spacious cabin with a massive center console and deep in-door pockets. The trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 with a 7-inch touchscreen and power moonroof, to the off-road-ready TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum trim with heated-and-ventilated seats and a 9-inch touchscreen.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a variety of powertrains, starting with the base P360 mild-hybrid system, which combined a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt electrical system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HST model featured a more potent P400 version, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The P400e plug-in hybrid variant provided 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, while the diesel option offered 254 hp and 443 lb-ft. The HSE Dynamic and Autobiography trims boasted a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine with 518 hp, and the SVR models pushed this to 575 hp. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD, with a towing capacity of up to 7,716 pounds, except for the SVR, which could tow 6,613 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a standard 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It offered standard rear-wheel drive with an available 4WD option. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a soft suspension and strong brakes, providing a confident driving experience. It could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than some competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe, but still respectable for its class.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport provided a maximum of 63.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 31.7 cubic feet with the second row in use. An optional third row increased seating capacity to seven, though it reduced cargo space to 10.8 cubic feet. The first and second rows offered ample headroom and legroom, while the third row was best suited for children.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia excelled in interior space, offering nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, over 66 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an impressive 120 cubic feet with all rear seats down. It featured a power-retractable rear window for easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided plenty of storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a massive center console.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's interior was defined by its dual-screen center console, with the lower screen handling climate controls and vehicle settings, and the upper screen dedicated to infotainment. While the system had a learning curve and some bugs in earlier models, it offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The system's dials allowed for versatile control of various functions, though the overall experience could be more intuitive.

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 had a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. Despite being an older system, it was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a straightforward user experience.

The 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with standard driver assistance features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and parking sensors. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Additional features included a surround-view camera, traffic sign recognition, and a head-up display.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. Despite its age, the Sequoia offered a comprehensive list of safety features, though it lacked more advanced technologies like lane-keeping assist. It scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.