2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, attempted to maintain a modern appearance with updates in 2018, including a facelift that refreshed the headlights and grille. However, the subtle changes were often overshadowed by the vehicle's large silhouette. Inside, the Sequoia's design was reminiscent of the mid-2000s, with a massive, multi-tiered center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dashboard. The cabin offered ample space, though the front seats were bulky, limiting headroom for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof. The second-row seats, however, provided generous headroom and legroom, ensuring comfort for passengers. The Sequoia was available in several trims, including the SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, Nightshade Edition, TRD Pro, and Platinum, each offering various features and enhancements.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition presented a sleek, black-on-black aesthetic, eliminating most chrome from its exterior. Despite its modern appearance, the GX's design was reminiscent of its predecessors, with only the signature Lexus spindle grille and LED headlights distinguishing it from older models. Inside, the GX boasted high-quality materials and a quiet cabin, with a focus on comfort and refinement. The vehicle's tall and narrow design made it easy to maneuver, though the steering was notably slow and heavy. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with the Black Line Special Edition based on the Premium trim, offering unique styling elements and features.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, 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, offering a sense of confidence to drivers. However, the vehicle exhibited some body roll during cornering, though its wide stance helped maintain stability. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached up to 7,400 pounds, which was less than some competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. While not particularly potent, the engine provided a satisfying note and adequate performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The GX's six-speed automatic transmission was paired with a full-time 4WD system, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite its tall and narrow design, the GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and handling, both on and off-road. The GX's towing capacity was 6,500 pounds, slightly less than the Sequoia's. However, its fuel economy was a modest 16 mpg in combined driving, requiring premium gasoline.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia offered 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. This made it competitive with other full-size SUVs, though not class-leading. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, providing convenient access to the cargo area. Despite its age, the Sequoia's interior offered ample storage options, including deep door pockets and a large center console, though newer SUVs had improved space utilization.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position and clear visibility, with comfortable seating and quality materials throughout the cabin. However, the interior design featured some outdated switchgear, and the placement of controls was occasionally confusing. The GX's third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access, limiting its practicality. Cargo space was also limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded. The side-opening tailgate further complicated loading and unloading, especially in tight spaces.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with simple menus and large physical buttons. However, the technology felt dated compared to more modern systems, and the digital trip computer was small and basic.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous models. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation, along with a CD player and Lexus Enform connected services. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. However, the placement of stereo controls was awkward, and the system retained some outdated elements, such as the Remote Touch Interface touchpad.

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 front-and-rear parking sensors. However, the Sequoia's platform was dated, and it received only four out of five stars in the NHTSA's rollover test, with no further crash test ratings available.

The 2022 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems. The absence of these features may appeal to some drivers, but others may find it lacking in modern safety aids.