2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was characterized by its modernist and reductive design, which translated to a clean and simple aesthetic. This approach might not have appealed to those seeking a flashy luxury SUV, as Land Rover offered limited options for making the Range Rover Sport stand out, such as a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels. The test vehicle, finished in Eiger Gray with silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, complemented by aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-tech and luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport was available in SE P360, SE Dynamic P400, and Autobiography P440e specifications, with the SE Dynamic P400 test vehicle priced at $98,420, including destination charges. Notable design features included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and surface LED technology taillights, contributing to its excellent aerodynamics.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform and design cues with the Tundra pickup, featuring hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, and strong fender creases. The Sequoia's appearance varied significantly with exterior color choices. The Capstone model, adorned with chrome brightwork and presented in Celestial Silver, appeared somewhat dated, reminiscent of a "cop car." However, with a vibrant color like Solar Octane orange and black accents, it transformed into a "Tonka truck" look. Inside, the Sequoia closely resembled the Tundra and other Toyota vehicles, with a blocky, geometric dashboard layout and physical controls for volume and climate. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered fabric, SofTex, or leather seating surfaces. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, with power-adjustable front seats and a power-tilt and -slide moonroof standard on higher trims.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, producing 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in the SE Dynamic model. The SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, delivering 434 hp and 406 lb-ft with an estimated 51 miles of electric range. The Range Rover Sport's 395-hp inline-six provided ample power, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds. It had an eight-speed automatic transmission, Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds. The SUV's fuel efficiency was commendable, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg combined, and it averaged 22.3 mpg during testing. The Range Rover Sport featured a new vehicle architecture with a 35-percent increase in torsional stiffness, adaptive damping air suspension, and various driving modes for improved handling. However, it struggled to match the agility of sport-tuned SUVs from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz on twisty roads. Off-road, the Range Rover Sport excelled with its advanced suspension, 11.1 inches of ground clearance, and impressive approach, breakover, and departure angles.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively offered in a hybrid format, utilizing the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbo V6 engine and an electric motor. This setup produced 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 was equipped with a part-time 4WD system, skid plate, and off-road features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. The Sequoia's 10-speed automatic transmission operated smoothly, and its 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 enhancements. The Sequoia's maximum towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, with towing-related upgrades available. However, the power-extending trailer tow mirrors posed visibility challenges for shorter drivers.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport retained its Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel with a low dashboard and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, benefiting shorter individuals. The front seats were comfortable, with 20-way power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat, though improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with hard front seatback panels and narrow door openings. The back seat provided excellent support but had a reclined angle. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Storage within the cabin was decent, with various compartments and a full-size spare under the cargo floor.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured automatic power-deploying running boards, aiding entry for shorter individuals. It offered a maximum of 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with both second- and third-row seats folded. The third-row seats could be folded at the push of a button but did not create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. This affected rear-seat headroom and legroom, making it less comfortable for taller passengers. The second-row captain's chairs, available on higher trims, were wide but lacked bolstering. The Sequoia's interior dimensions placed it behind some rivals in terms of legroom, but it offered competitive space in the front row.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. It included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, the Pivi Pro infotainment system was often confusing and frustrating to use, with difficulties in finding and accessing features. The native digital assistant struggled with voice commands, failing to provide accurate directions. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and Active Noise Cancellation, enhancing the driving experience. A wireless smartphone charging pad was included but challenging to access.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia's Capstone trim boasted a 14-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness, offering ease of use. The Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch driver-information display and a Panoramic View monitor, aiding visibility. 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 Limited and standard on higher trims, providing a premium audio experience.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist allowed the SUV to park itself while the driver directed it via a smartphone app. However, the adaptive cruise control and steering assist systems were not as smooth or reliable as expected, particularly on freeway curves with inconsistent lane markings.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety features as standard across all trims. This included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. The Sequoia's blind-spot monitoring system was enhanced with Trailer Merge Warning, extending the monitored area when towing. The Tow Technology Package, available on select trims, added a digital rearview mirror and trailer backup guide. The Sequoia had not been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but the similar Toyota Tundra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation.