2025 Toyota Sequoia vs 2026 Lexus GX

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition was a nod to its Texas roots, named after the year the ranch was established where the assembly plant now stands. This model built upon the Sequoia Platinum with distinctive features like machined-finish 20-inch wheels, Saddle Tan leather upholstery, and American walnut wood trim. Despite its hefty price tag, the interior quality was a mix of luxury and standard Toyota-grade materials, which left some room for improvement. The exterior, with its Lunar Rock paint and TRD off-road wheels, turned heads, but the interior's plastic elements and mismatched TRD accents detracted from its premium aspirations.

In contrast, the 2026 Lexus GX offered a rugged yet refined appearance, especially in the Overtrail trim. This model featured gray wheel arch cladding, simulated skid plates, and all-terrain tires, giving it a robust off-road-ready look. Inside, the GX combined utility with quality, featuring tan artificial leather and olive-green simulated suede trim. The cabin was technologically advanced, with digital driver and infotainment displays, though it leaned more towards practicality than luxury. The GX's design, with its iconic Lexus grille and LED headlights, provided a sense of style and capability, making it stand out on the road.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with an i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. This setup provided muscular performance, though it fell short in fuel efficiency, averaging only 16.2 mpg in real-world testing. The Sequoia's towing capacity was impressive at 9,010 pounds, but its solid rear axle and battery placement compromised interior space and driving dynamics. Off-road capabilities were limited by a low ground clearance and an air dam that hindered approach angles, though the TRD Off-Road Package added some rugged features.

The 2026 Lexus GX 550, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, delivered 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It featured a full-time 4WD system and a locking center differential, enhancing its off-road prowess. The Overtrail trim added an electronic locking rear differential, adaptive suspension, and all-terrain tires, making it adept at tackling challenging terrains. On-road, the GX offered a smooth ride, though its fuel economy was modest at 16.8 mpg. The GX's acceleration was brisk, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds, but its weight and drag coefficient affected efficiency.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia accommodated up to eight passengers, though the third row was best suited for shorter individuals due to limited headroom. The 1794 Edition featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. However, the high floor and low roof made accessing the third row awkward. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 86.9 cubic feet with seats folded, which was less than some rivals.

The 2026 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail offered a spacious interior, though it lacked a third-row seat, providing 45.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. The front seats were comfortable, with power adjustments and ventilation, while the second-row bench seat accommodated three passengers. Storage space was adequate, though not exceptional, and the high load height made accessing the cargo area challenging. The GX's utilitarian design prioritized functionality, with features like rock sliders and a protruding bumper for added utility.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered various connected services plans, with trial subscriptions ranging from one to ten years. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though some features required active subscriptions. The surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were helpful additions, though the lack of a tuning knob was a minor inconvenience.

The 2026 Lexus GX boasted a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Lexus Interface was user-friendly, though the daytime mode's low contrast was a drawback. The system included complimentary trial subscriptions to connected services, with features like cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the GX offered a panoramic-view monitor and multi-terrain monitor for enhanced visibility.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. While the safety tech was comprehensive, the lane assist features could be intrusive. At the time of publication, crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2026 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The PDA system provided subtle braking and steering inputs, though it could be uncomfortable. Crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of writing.