2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, combining the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra pickup with a newly designed SUV body. This redesign gave the Sequoia a more commanding presence compared to its predecessor. The traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches in the Capstone trim, such as leather, wood, and metallic finishes. The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system was a focal point of the interior, though some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 drew stylistic inspiration from the G70 compact luxury sedan, particularly above the belt-line. Its design featured split-bar headlights and a chrome line that suggested a coupe-like SUV without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to luxury, with high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish. The design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that seamlessly rose from the dash. The GV70's infotainment system included a full touchscreen, rotary dial, and button controls, offering a user-friendly experience. The gas-powered GV70 was available in two trims, while the Electrified GV70 offered two additional trims. The base 2.5T trim came well-equipped, and higher trims added features like genuine leather upholstery, ambient lighting, and advanced driver-assistance features. The GV70 Electrified Prestige trim impressed with its luxurious interior and advanced technology.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. While it lacked the V8's rumble, the new V6 offered improved towing and payload capacities, with a maximum tow rating of 9,520 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. The Sequoia's fuel efficiency also improved, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg with 4WD and 22 mpg with RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling traits, though the ride quality could be busy and jittery in certain modes. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered two gas-powered engine options: a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70 Electrified featured a 77.4-kWh battery pack powering two electric motors, producing a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric GV70 had a range of 236 miles and supported DC fast charging. The GV70's handling was well-rounded, offering a blend of comfort and sporty performance. The Electrified version leaned slightly more towards comfort but still provided confident handling. The GV70's driving experience was smooth and refined, with a focus on luxury and performance.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The wide, flat upper door panel shelf provided a convenient resting place for long drives. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs were comfortable but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was mounted above the battery pack, resulting in a high floor and limited comfort. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The adjustable cargo shelf offered some flexibility, but overall cargo capacity was reduced compared to the previous model.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with the seats in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70 featured a hands-free power liftgate and well-designed storage solutions, including large cupholders and a center console tray. Front-seat occupants enjoyed comfortable seating positions, while rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring front-row adjustments for comfort. The rear bench could recline, enhancing passenger comfort.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for navigation. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. However, the system had some quirks, such as glare on the display and occasional issues with Bluetooth pairing.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menus. The GV70 also featured a rotary dial for control, though its proximity to the rotary shifter could cause confusion. The GV70 included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Additional features like ambient lighting and a digital instrument panel were available.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which 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. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The Sequoia's adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist made highway driving easier, though the lane-departure warning system could be irritating. Crash test ratings were not available at the time of review, but the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2.5T's Advance Package added a blind-spot camera system, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.