2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2024 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia presented a bold and commanding presence, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. Its redesigned exterior featured a traditional grille and front bumper, distinguishing it from the Tundra's more aggressive look. Inside, the Sequoia shared an industrial theme with the Tundra, highlighted by leather, wood, and metallic finishes in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, and the Capstone's two-tone color scheme added a touch of luxury. However, some interior 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 trim or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 offered a refined and practical design, with a subdued and earthy exterior paint palette. The SUV featured various wheel designs, with most versions showcasing a Bright theme with chrome and polished metal accents. Inside, the XC90's interior design was dated but rich in materials, especially in the Ultimate trim. Volvo's wool-blend upholstery and ventilated Nappa leather options added a touch of luxury, while the Orrefors crystal shift knob and natural wood trim enhanced the cabin's elegance. The XC90 allowed buyers to mix and match paint, wheels, and upholstery to suit their preferences. The Recharge T8 model, in particular, offered a blend of performance and efficiency, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain providing 32 miles of electric-only range.

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. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and its payload capacity improved to 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency also saw an improvement, 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, load-leveling rear air suspension contributed to the Sequoia's ride and handling characteristics, although 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 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 combined an 18.8-kilowatt-hour battery and a 107-kilowatt electric motor with a supercharged and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The SUV offered 32 miles of electric-only driving and averaged 27 mpg in hybrid mode. Recharging the battery was convenient, with options for standard household outlets or faster 240-volt outlets. The XC90 featured multiple driving modes, including Pure, Power, Hybrid, Constant AWD, and Off-Road, with up to 9.9 inches of ground clearance. The XC90's performance was lively, with a quick 0-60 mph time of five seconds, but its handling was more suited to luxury than performance. The ride quality was firm on irregular pavement, and the cabin wasn't as quiet as expected for a luxury SUV. The steering lacked sharpness and communication, and the brakes showed signs of fading during prolonged use.

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, while the panoramic glass sunroof added a touch of luxury. However, the second-row captain's chairs didn't slide, limiting third-row legroom. The third-row seat was mounted above the battery pack, resulting in a high floor and low roof, making it less comfortable than competitors. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than its predecessor and rivals.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 offered a well-equipped interior with power-adjustable and heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a four-zone climate control system. The panoramic glass roof added natural light, and higher trims included features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats with massage, and an integrated booster child seat. The front seats provided comfort, but the climate control system struggled to cool the cabin in hot weather. The XC90 accommodated seven passengers, with a comfortable second-row bench seat and a more accommodating third row than expected. Cargo space was adequate, with up to 65.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 85.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

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, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but glare on the display was an issue. The Intelligent Assistant responded to voice commands, but there were occasional glitches. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The Sequoia's parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented accidents.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 boasted a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, offering Google Maps, Google Play, and Google Assistant. Apple CarPlay and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard, with optional Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins audio systems. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the digital voice assistant was generally effective. The XC90 also featured a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera.

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 systems were effective, though the lane-departure warning system was occasionally irritating. Crash test ratings were unavailable, but the Tundra, on which the Sequoia is based, received high marks from the IIHS.

The 2024 Volvo XC90 was synonymous with safety, earning a five-star rating from the NHTSA in most assessments and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS in 2023. However, its advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) were not as innovative as some competitors. The XC90 included Pilot Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, but it struggled with certain road conditions. The SUV also featured a large-animal detection system and a notification system for distracted drivers. Despite some limitations, the XC90's safety features worked smoothly overall.