2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Genesis GV80

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly sculpted SUV body. Its design was a significant departure from the previous generation, offering a more commanding presence. The Sequoia's traditional grille and front bumper distinguished it from the Tundra's more unconventional look. Inside, the Sequoia shared many 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 dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior was available in a cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme. Despite its luxurious appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 exuded sophistication and grace with its quad-lamp headlights and bold grille. This midsize SUV was stately, measuring over 16 feet in length. The Prestige trim featured 22-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its elegant appearance. The rear design echoed the quad-lamp look with four-part taillamps above the dual exhaust. The interior continued the dark green theme with quilted leather seats, complemented by metal and matte wood trim. The center console featured three large dials for infotainment, transmission, and drive modes. The 14.5-inch infotainment screen, though slightly awkwardly placed, added to the luxurious feel. The interior was spacious and luxurious, making it a comfortable place to spend time.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, 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 rumble of the previous 5.7-liter V8, the new V6 offered improved towing and payload capabilities. The Sequoia's maximum tow rating increased to 9,520 pounds, and its payload capacity rose to 1,730 pounds. 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. However, the suspension could be busy and jittery in Normal mode, and the steering was slow, requiring effort in tight spaces. The regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times, especially in urban driving.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered all-wheel drive with a choice of a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a turbo 3.5-liter V6. The larger engine produced 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While not particularly quick, the GV80 excelled at highway driving, with smooth power delivery and shifts. The electronically controlled suspension scanned the road for roughness, enhancing ride comfort. Active noise cancellation contributed to a quiet and smooth freeway commute. However, the GV80 was not as athletic or nimble as some competitors, and its acceleration was slower than some rivals.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads at highway speeds, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone automatic climate control system. The wide, flat, padded upper door panel shelf provided a comfortable resting place for the driver's arm. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised by the hybrid powertrain, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seats increased cargo capacity to 49 cubic feet, and folding the second-row seats provided 86.9 cubic feet. However, this was significantly less than the previous generation and its competitors.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 offered a luxurious interior with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front and rear seats. The Ergo Motion driver's seat featured inflatable pockets to reduce fatigue. Nappa leather seats added to the sumptuous feel. While a third row was available, legroom was limited to 30 inches, making it suitable for children. The GV80 featured Genesis puddle lamps, a proximity key, and a digital key option. The tri-zone climate control system ensured comfort for all passengers, and the optional 21-speaker stereo system delighted audiophiles. The GV80 boasted one of the largest cargo spaces in its class, with 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 84 cubic feet. Towing capacity was a respectable 6,000 pounds with trailer brakes.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen in the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, glare on the display was an issue, especially in the Capstone trim. The system allowed for user accounts and included an Intelligent Assistant for voice commands. The Sequoia also featured a 10-inch head-up display, a surround-view camera system, and a digital rearview mirror. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented accidents.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch 3D digital gauge cluster. The head-up display projected information into the driver's field of view. While the infotainment screen was slightly out of reach, the dial control was cumbersome. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though not wirelessly. The GV80 featured remote smart parking assist, allowing the car to park itself without the driver inside. This feature was particularly useful for tight parking spaces.

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 features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. While crash test ratings were not available, the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Genesis GV80 was equipped with advanced driver aids, including forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The GV80 featured a video feed of the blind spot in the digital gauge cluster, providing a clear view for the driver. Highway Drive Assist used cameras, radar, and navigation to provide hands-on/eyes-up driving assistance. The NHTSA awarded the GV80 a full five-star safety rating, and the IIHS rated it Good for crashworthiness and Superior for front crash prevention.