2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Genesis GV80 presented a sophisticated and graceful exterior with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille, embodying a stately presence at over 16 feet long. The Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance, especially with the matte Brunswick Green paint. The rear design mirrored the front with four-part taillamps above dual exhausts, and while the hands-free liftgate was boxy, it contributed to the SUV's overall elegance. Inside, the dark green quilted leather seats complemented the metal and matte wood trim, with a dash split by thin air vents. The center console was marked by three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes, and the two-spoke steering wheel added a unique touch. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, though slightly awkwardly placed, was a minor flaw in an otherwise spacious and luxurious interior.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform 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 in Celestial Silver appearing somewhat dated, while the Solar Octane orange and Lunar Rock gray offered more vibrant options. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dash design, 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 across all trims, and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof standard or optional depending on the trim.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was available exclusively with all-wheel drive, offering a choice between a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, or a turbo 3.5-liter V6 with 375 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the GV80 wasn't particularly quick, taking about five and a half seconds to reach sixty, it excelled in highway driving with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension, combined with active noise cancellation, provided a quiet and comfortable ride.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was offered exclusively in a hybrid format, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, a significant increase over its predecessor. The Sequoia's fuel economy improved to 20 mpg combined with four-wheel drive. The TRD Pro trim was available only with 4WD, while other trims offered 4WD as an option. The 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and the Sequoia's on-road handling was adequate. The TRD Off-Road package added adventure-ready features, and the Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a luxurious interior with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard. The tester featured ventilated front and rear seats, an Ergo Motion driver’s seat, and sumptuous Nappa leather upholstery. A third row was available, though legroom was limited to 30 inches. The GV80 boasted a tri-zone climate control system, a 21-speaker stereo system, and a panoramic glass roof. Cargo space was generous, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 84 cubic feet with the seats folded. The GV80's towing capacity was 6,000 pounds.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone trim included automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter individuals. The Sequoia offered up to 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. The third-row seats were positioned above the hybrid powertrain’s battery pack, affecting headroom and legroom. The second-row captain’s chairs in higher trims were wide but lacked bolstering. The Sequoia's interior space was competitive, though it lagged behind some rivals in legroom.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, accompanied by a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster and a head-up display. The infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, and the dial control was cumbersome. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, though not wirelessly. The GV80 included remote smart parking assist, allowing the vehicle to maneuver in and out of parking spaces without the driver inside.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia Capstone trim was equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, accessible through a 14-inch touchscreen. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. The Sequoia featured a full-color 12.3-inch driver-information display and a Panoramic View monitor. A 10-inch color head-up display was standard on Capstone and available on Platinum. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver’s aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The GV80 featured a video feed of the car’s blind spot in the digital gauge cluster and Highway Drive Assist for approved highways. The GV80 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Good rating for crashworthiness from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia included the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety features as standard across all trims. This included a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring with Trailer Merge Warning. The Tow Technology Package added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The Sequoia had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.