2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Ford Explorer

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle design updates from 2018. The Nightshade Special Edition added a touch of modernity, but the overall design still reflected its 2007 origins. Inside, the Sequoia's cabin was spacious but felt dated, with a multi-tiered center dash reminiscent of mid-2000s designs. The 7-inch touchscreen appeared small against the expansive dashboard, and while the front seats were bulky, they offered comfort and support. The second-row seats provided ample headroom and legroom, enhancing passenger comfort.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Explorer presented a more contemporary and athletic appearance, thanks to its rear-drive platform, long hood, and rakish roofline. The King Ranch trim, with its exclusive Del Rio leather seating and King Ranch branding, added a touch of luxury. However, the cabin exhibited a mix of quality materials and some that felt less premium for its price point. The Explorer's third-row seat was best suited for children due to limited legroom and accessibility, but the front and second-row seats offered exceptional comfort, especially with features like massaging front seats and heated second-row captain’s chairs.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration, even for an SUV weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were akin to a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes, though it exhibited some body roll in corners. Its towing capacity reached up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Ford Explorer offered three powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, allowed for a towing capacity of 5,300 pounds. The Explorer also offered a hybrid drivetrain with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, generating 318 horsepower and 322 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. For those seeking more power, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine was available, producing 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, with a towing capacity of 5,600 pounds. The Explorer's ride was robust and capable, with the King Ranch trim offering a satisfying driving experience both on and off-road.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. Its power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. Despite its large size, the Sequoia's front-row space could have been better utilized, but it offered ample storage options with deep door pockets and a massive center console.

The 2022 Ford Explorer, particularly in the King Ranch trim, provided comfort for families of four, with the option to carry five with a second-row bench seat. The third-row seat was less accommodating for adults due to limited legroom. The King Ranch trim included features like triple-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable heated steering wheel, and massaging front seats. However, the Explorer's cabin lacked practical storage solutions, with limited pockets and cubbies. Cargo space behind the third row measured 18.2 cubic feet, expanding to 87.8 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with simple menu navigation and large hard buttons. Despite its dated technology, the Sequoia's infotainment system offered modern smartphone connectivity.

The 2022 Ford Explorer featured two versions of the Sync 3 infotainment system, with either an 8-inch or 10.1-inch touchscreen. The King Ranch trim included a comprehensive suite of technology, such as FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 14-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. However, the Sync 3 system showed its age, particularly in voice recognition capabilities, and would benefit from an upgrade to Sync 4 technology.

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. However, it lacked more advanced tech like lane-keeping assist and scored four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test.

The 2022 Ford Explorer earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with standard Ford Co-Pilot360 features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Explorer's safety systems operated smoothly, though the lane-centering assist system occasionally disengaged on curvy roads.