2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Toyota Sequoia

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 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 dominated the dashboard, and the Capstone's interior was available in a cream white-over-black two-tone color scheme. Despite its upscale appearance, some interior materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner retained its classic, albeit outdated, design. Last redesigned in 2010, the 4Runner's boxy shape remained suitable for its off-road capabilities. The flared fenders and rugged grille added to its brawny appearance, while the TRD Pro model featured skid plates and all-terrain tires for a more serious off-road demeanor. Inside, the 4Runner's old-school styling and technology were evident, with an analog instrument panel and an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. The interior had a mix of hard plastics and cushioned panels, with grained seat upholstery resembling leather. While the 4Runner's design evoked nostalgia, it lacked the modern touches found in competitors like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with a 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 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+, 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, affecting braking consistency.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner featured a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. While its power figures were competitive, the transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel economy compared to rivals like the Bronco and Wrangler. The TRD Pro model came standard with 4WD and a two-speed transfer case, making it capable off-road. On pavement, the 4Runner felt sluggish, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration. The engine noise was pronounced, and the sportier exhaust added to the auditory experience. The soft suspension resulted in body roll during cornering and a floaty ride over highway undulations. However, the 4Runner's off-road prowess shone through, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhancing its capabilities.

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 climate control system. The power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, though taller individuals might find them cumbersome. The second-row captain's chairs provided comfort but lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat, positioned above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo capacity 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 increased capacity to 49 cubic feet, while folding the second row offered 86.9 cubic feet. The Sequoia's cargo space was smaller than its predecessor and competitors, impacting its overall utility.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior design felt dated, but its layout was user-friendly, with large climate-control dials and sturdy handles for off-road stability. The front seats provided ample space, though the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second-row offered generous legroom, but headroom was limited due to the elevated bench height. The 4Runner's cargo capacity reached 47.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats stowed. The optional sliding deck reduced capacity but added convenience. The 4Runner's flat load floor made it practical for various uses, and the sliding glass rear window provided easy access to gear. However, the lack of remote seat releases and a powered liftgate were notable omissions.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an eight-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. However, the system had occasional glitches, and the head-up display was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses. The Sequoia included a surround-view camera system and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing visibility and safety.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL audio system, though road noise often obscured its quality. The 4Runner's terrain controls were located in the headliner console, requiring familiarity with the owner's manual. Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select enhanced off-road capabilities, while the braking and locking differentials improved traction on uneven surfaces.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including 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 parking sensors with automatic braking. While crash test ratings were unavailable, the Sequoia's platform shared with the Tundra, which received high ratings from the IIHS.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, and five stars for side impacts. However, it scored three stars in rollover evaluations. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. The 4Runner included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. The TRD Pro and Limited trims offered a surround-view camera system, with the Limited adding parking sensors.