2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition was a striking vehicle, especially in its Black Onyx color. This model eliminated almost all chrome from its exterior, giving it a sleek, dark appearance that was both modern and aggressive. However, despite its contemporary styling, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its predecessors from two decades ago. Inside, the cabin was crafted with the high-quality materials and refinement that Lexus was known for, offering a quiet and comfortable ride. The GX's interior, though similar in theme to earlier models, provided a sense of luxury with its smooth finishes and attention to detail.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold and modern look, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its redesigned exterior gave it a commanding presence on the road, with a traditional grille and front bumper that distinguished it from its pickup counterpart. Inside, the Sequoia shared design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches in the Capstone trim. The cabin was equipped with a massive 14-inch infotainment system and a two-tone color scheme, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia's interior was spacious and comfortable, with thoughtful features like a wide, padded door panel shelf for long trips.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. Despite its hefty curb weight of 5,126 pounds and a high drag coefficient of 0.35, the GX managed a 7.8-second sprint to 60 mph. However, its fuel economy was a downside, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved its ride quality, making it more stable and secure, though the steering was slow and heavy, and the brake pedal was touchy.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, featured a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor/generator. This setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and its payload capacity improved to 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency was also enhanced, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg for 4WD models. The Sequoia offered multiple driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the ride and handling to their preferences. However, the steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat, providing excellent visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver in various environments, though the steering required extra effort. The interior featured comfortable seats and physical controls, though some switchgear was outdated. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and triple-zone climate control. However, the rear seat access was challenging, and the third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. The GX's side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading, with limited cargo capacity of 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a quiet cabin with comfortable leather seats, a JBL sound system, and triple-zone climate control. Power-deploying running boards aided entry, though they could be a nuisance for taller individuals. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat was mounted high, reducing comfort, but offered more room than some competitors. The Sequoia's cargo space was compromised by its hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row and 86.9 cubic feet with all seats folded. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the high load floor made loading heavy items challenging.

The 2022 Lexus GX featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant improvement over previous models. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation, along with a CD player and a WiFi hotspot. The system's dual-screen view and excellent voice recognition technology were highlights, though the placement of stereo controls was awkward. The GX also offered Intuitive Parking Assist and optional surround-view cameras, but lacked advanced technology compared to competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia boasted a new Toyota Audio Multimedia system with a 14-inch touchscreen in most trims. It offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, user accounts, and an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands. The system allowed simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, though some bugs were noted during testing. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing convenience and safety. The Sequoia's technology package was comprehensive, though glare on the display was an issue.

The 2022 Lexus GX came with Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured 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. No crash-test ratings were available for the GX.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia offered a comprehensive suite of safety features as standard, including Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This package included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. The Sequoia also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While no crash-test ratings were available for the Sequoia, the Tundra on which it was based received high ratings from the IIHS.