2021 Lexus RX vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Lexus RX showcased a modern design aesthetic that was emblematic of the brand's styling. It featured a large grille, angular headlamps, and a shapely body with a floating roof. Inside, the RX offered sumptuous seating with perforated leather upholstery, although the center console design was considered bland and somewhat dated. The RX was available in five variants, including the performance-focused RX F Sport and the extended-body RXL models with a third row of seating. Standard features included 18-inch aluminum wheels, LED lighting, and rear privacy glass, with options for larger wheels and additional exterior upgrades. The interior was well-appointed, even in the base model, with options for luxury features like semi-aniline leather upholstery and heated seats.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large cabin and standard V8 power. The Sequoia's design was somewhat dated, with a massive, multi-tiered center dash reminiscent of the mid-2000s. The 2021 model introduced a new Nightshade Special Edition, but the overall design remained largely unchanged since its 2018 facelift. The Sequoia offered a spacious interior with ample headroom and legroom, particularly in the second row, and comfortable, supportive seats. It was available in several trims, including the off-road-oriented TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum trim. The Sequoia's interior featured deep in-door pockets, a massive center console, and plenty of storage options, though newer SUVs offered better space utilization.

The 2021 Lexus RX was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The RX Hybrid models combined a V6 engine with three electric motors, producing 308 horsepower. The RX offered a comfortable and dynamic driving experience, with tuning adjustments to the suspension and handling systems enhancing its performance. The RX F Sport model added features like adaptive variable suspension and sport seats for a more spirited drive. The RX achieved a top speed of 124 mph and accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.7 to 7.9 seconds, depending on the drivetrain.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Sequoia's engine provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. It offered a truck-like driving experience with a soft suspension and strong brakes, though it exhibited some body roll in corners. The Sequoia could tow up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than some competitors but still respectable for its class.

The 2021 Lexus RX offered a functional interior with seating for five in the two-row models and six or seven in the three-row RXL variants. Front and second-row seats provided ample space, while the third row was tight. Cargo space was limited compared to traditional SUVs, with 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The three-row RX offered 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 58.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. A power liftgate was standard, with a hands-free option available.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and over 66 cubic feet with it folded. With all rear seats folded, it offered 120 cubic feet of cargo space. The Sequoia featured a power-retractable rear window for easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could be better utilized, the Sequoia provided ample storage options, including deep in-door pockets and a massive center console.

The 2021 Lexus RX came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, and smartphone connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system. The infotainment system, while functional, was not the most user-friendly, and the Remote Touch controller took up valuable console space.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. Our test model had a larger 9-inch screen, which still felt small on the large dash. The Sequoia's infotainment system was easy to use, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was small but functional, offering a straightforward user experience.

The 2021 Lexus RX received the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation, with Good marks on crashworthiness tests. The NHTSA rated the RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h with four out of five stars overall. Standard safety features included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, and the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite, which offered a range of driver-assist technologies. However, the RX lacked the advanced hands-off piloting features found in some competitors.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. While the Sequoia lacked more advanced safety tech, it provided a comprehensive set of standard features. The NHTSA rated the Sequoia with four out of five stars in the rollover test, but it had not been rated in other crash tests.