2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was redesigned with subtlety in mind. The RX 350h Luxury model, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels, looked nearly identical to the standard RX 350, lacking any overt hybrid indicators. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. Despite its popularity, the RX maintained a somewhat unbalanced appearance, with a front-heavy design and a visually shortened rear end. Inside, the RX embraced minimalism, featuring a modern infotainment system and luxurious materials like Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo wood in the RX 350h, while the RX 500h offered a sportier, all-black interior.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra, showcasing a robust design with hexagonal grilles and muscular stances. The Capstone model, in Celestial Silver, appeared somewhat dated, but a change in color could dramatically alter its look. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky dashboard design, with physical controls for climate and audio. The Capstone trim featured semi-aniline leather, while other trims offered a range of upholstery options. The Sequoia's interior was spacious, though the third-row seating was less comfortable due to the hybrid powertrain's battery placement.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two main hybrid options. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving an estimated 36 mpg combined. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but with a lower fuel economy of 27 mpg. The RX 500h featured advanced suspension and steering systems, enhancing its driving dynamics, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia exclusively used the iForce MAX hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor for 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. This marked a significant power increase over its predecessor. The Sequoia achieved 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The TRD Pro model offered off-road capabilities with a part-time 4WD system and additional features like Crawl Control. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, with various towing aids available.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with ten-way power-adjustable front seats and premium leather in the RX 350h. The RX 500h offered sportier seating with eight-way adjustments. The hybrid's battery placement slightly raised the rear seat, affecting headroom but improving leg support. Cargo space increased to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat, matching the standard RX 350.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered up to 86.9 cubic feet of cargo space with seats folded. The third-row seats, positioned above the battery pack, reduced headroom and comfort. Second-row captain’s chairs were available on higher trims, though they lacked bolstering. The Sequoia's interior space was generous, but it lagged behind some competitors in legroom.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. It featured a cloud-based navigation system and digital voice assistant. The system had some usability issues, such as limited screen views and reflections. The available head-up display included touch-sensing control pads, which could be problematic with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most trims featured a 14-inch touchscreen, while the driver-information display was a 12.3-inch full-color screen. The Panoramic View monitor was standard, aiding in maneuvering. The Sequoia offered a 14-speaker JBL audio system on higher trims.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid included Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features had usability issues, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, with standard safety and driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. The Tow Technology Package added aids for towing. The Sequoia had not been rated by safety organizations, but its Tundra sibling received high marks.