2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Dodge Durango

The 2023 Dodge Durango, entering its 12th model year without a redesign, maintained a familiar yet attractive appearance. It eschewed the faux ruggedness of some competitors, opting for clean, car-like styling with slim grilles and forward-leaning headlights. The rear featured Dodge's signature "racetrack" taillights, adding a distinctive touch. The SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat models had subtle unique styling features, such as a Viper-like hood and unique wheels, but retained a similar shape to the standard models. The Blacktop Package and Hemi Orange appearance package offered additional customization options, while new color additions like Frostbite and Night Moves expanded the palette. Inside, the Durango's interior was pleasant, with materials matching the price points of lower trims. The Citadel trim added luxury with Nappa leather and heated seats, while the SRT Hellcat model featured bold red leather upholstery.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and design cues with the Tundra pickup, featuring hexagonal grilles, strong fender creases, and a muscular stance. The exterior color significantly influenced its appearance, with the Capstone model showcasing chrome brightwork in Celestial Silver, giving it a somewhat dated look. However, a switch to Solar Octane orange and black accents transformed it into a more playful "Tonka truck" aesthetic. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dash layout, with physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered fabric, SofTex, or leather seating. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable front seats and a standard power-tilt and -slide moonroof, enhancing comfort and customization.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a range of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower (295 hp with dual exhaust) and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine was standard on the SXT, GT, and Citadel trims, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T and optional on the Citadel, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, providing a classic V8 rumble. The SRT 392 model featured a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat took performance to another level with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, generating 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Despite its size, the Durango Hellcat offered exhilarating acceleration, with minimal wind and tire noise at highway speeds, thanks to adaptive-damping suspension and Pirelli P Zero tires.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, surpassing its V8 predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved significantly, achieving 20 mpg combined with four-wheel drive (4WD). The TRD Pro trim featured a part-time 4WD system with a skid plate, while other trims offered 4WD as an option. The 10-speed automatic transmission provided smooth operation, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate for its class. The TRD Off-Road package, available on select trims, added all-terrain tires, a skid plate, and off-road suspension, enhancing adventure-readiness. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, with towing-related upgrades available for added convenience.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench standard on SXT, GT, and R/T models. The Citadel, SRT 392, and SRT Hellcat models featured second-row captain's chairs, providing a more luxurious feel. Interior space was competitive with other midsize SUVs, with headroom and legroom comparable to rivals like the Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander. However, the Durango's cargo space was less generous, offering 17.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, 43.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.1 cubic feet behind the first row. Small-item storage was ample, with a large wireless charging pad and USB ports. The Durango's towing capacity ranged from 6,200 pounds for V6 models to 8,700 pounds for V8 models, but it lacked off-road capability.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured automatic power-deploying running boards on the Capstone and Platinum trims, aiding entry for shorter passengers. The Sequoia offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. Behind the second row, it provided 49 cubic feet, and behind the third row, it ranged from 11.5 to 22.3 cubic feet, depending on seat position. The third-row seats folded easily at the push of a button, but the load floor was not flat due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was slightly reduced, with 39.2 inches up front, 37.5-38.4 inches in the middle, and 35.6 inches in the back. Legroom varied, with 28.1 to 33.7 inches in the third row, 39.2 inches in the second row, and 41.2 inches in the first row. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, offering comfort but lacking bolstering.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models received a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. Both screens utilized the Uconnect infotainment system, with the larger screen offering the current Uconnect 5 version. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with added personality in the form of Easter Eggs for SRT models. The Performance Pages app, available on SRT models, provided performance information such as timers and g-force meters. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available with the Premium Package on the SRT Hellcat model.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality, with a user-friendly interface. The driver-information display was a full-color 12.3-inch screen, standard across all trims. The Panoramic View monitor was also standard, aiding visibility in a large vehicle. A 10-inch color head-up display was standard on Capstone and available on Platinum trims. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was available on the Limited trim and standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it "Good" marks in moderate front overlap and side tests, but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a four-star overall safety rating, with five stars in the side crash test and four stars in the frontal crash test. RWD models received four stars in the rollover test, while AWD models received three stars. Standard driver-assist features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, but other features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control were limited to higher trims.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety and driver-assistance features as standard. This included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. The Tow Technology Package, available on select trims, added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The 2024 Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar 2024 Toyota Tundra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation.