2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Subaru Outback

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 traditional grille and front bumper gave it a distinct look, setting it apart from the Tundra's more unconventional design. 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 interior's two-tone color scheme added a touch of elegance. However, 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 Subaru Outback received a facelift, featuring a redesigned front end with new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray cladding. The aggressive appearance was further accentuated by a simulated skid plate, fog lights, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim. The Onyx Edition offered a more cohesive look with black wheels and trim. The Outback came in six trims, with the Onyx Edition now available with both the base and turbocharged powertrains. Prices ranged from $28,395 to $39,845 for the standard engine and $38,445 to $42,295 for the turbocharged XT models. The Outback's interior, especially in the Touring trim, was praised for its upscale feel, with Java Brown leather and thoughtful design elements. Despite some hard plastics, the cabin maintained a premium look. The Outback's practicality was evident in its generous cargo space and ease of access, making it a versatile choice for various adventures.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a powerful hybrid powertrain, featuring 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 setup delivered an impressive 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and its payload capacity improved to 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency also saw a boost, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg for 4WD and 22 mpg for RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience. However, the suspension's communication of road impacts and the steering's slow response were noted as areas for improvement. The regenerative braking system, while effective, felt unresponsive and heavy at times.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a horizontally opposed engine design, known for its low center of gravity and characteristic grumble. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 176 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the CVT performed well at lower speeds, the engine struggled with passing and climbing power. The Outback's towing capacity was 3,500 pounds, but it was advised to be cautious with that much weight. Fuel efficiency was slightly disappointing, with an average of 25.6 mpg compared to the EPA's 28 mpg estimate. The turbocharged XT models offered a more powerful 260 hp engine, providing better acceleration and performance. The Outback's suspension tuning was praised for its balance between firmness and comfort, making it suitable for various driving conditions. The Active Torque Split AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced the Outback's off-road capabilities, while its compact size and excellent visibility made it easy to maneuver in urban settings.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable and quiet cabin with features like soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them unnecessary. The Sequoia's second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked adjustability, impacting third-row space. 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. The adjustable cargo shelf helped maximize space, but the overall cargo capacity was smaller than previous models and competitors.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack, flat door sills, and practical storage solutions. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with power-adjustable seats, premium Nappa leather, and heated and ventilated front seats. The Outback's cabin provided ample legroom and storage options, making it suitable for long journeys. Cargo space measured 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Outback's ease of entry and exit, combined with its high ground clearance, made it a practical choice for various adventures. However, there was room for improvement in terms of additional storage space within the cabin.

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. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for navigation. However, the system had some glitches, such as issues with phone pairing and contact access. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system, enhancing visibility and safety. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented collisions.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, came with a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Physical controls were limited, with most functions embedded in the touchscreen. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with subscription-based Starlink connected services. While the system's usability improved, the voice recognition system was lacking. The Outback included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, but a surround-view camera was not available. The infotainment system's graphics and colorful icons were not universally appealing, but the wireless smartphone connectivity was a welcome addition.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included features like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. 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 systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system's beeping could be irritating. While crash test ratings were not available, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight technology, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring and Automatic Emergency Steering. The Outback's safety systems were effective, though the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems felt artificial. The rear automatic braking system had compatibility issues with certain driveways. The Outback received top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test.