Toyota Sequoia vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a standout in Toyota's lineup of crossovers and SUVs, positioned between the Highlander and the Sequoia. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the RAV4 and Camry, distinguishing itself from the truck-based Sequoia. Despite its large size, the Grand Highlander was not a body-on-frame vehicle, which limited its towing capacity to 5,000 pounds. Its design was more conservative and blocky, reminiscent of the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride, with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights that echoed the rugged 4Runner. Inside, the Grand Highlander offered three trims—XLE, Limited, and Platinum—with options for Softex synthetic leather or real leather upholstery. The interior was spacious and well-built, featuring a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated front seats, and a large center console. The second-row captain’s chairs and third-row access were highlights, making it a comfortable choice for road trips.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, particularly in the 1794 Edition, was a full-size SUV that drew attention with its Lunar Rock paint and black TRD off-road wheels. Built on the same platform as the Tundra, it offered a rugged appearance with Saddle Tan leather upholstery and American walnut wood trim. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and typical Toyota-grade plastic, which detracted from its premium feel. The Sequoia's cabin was spacious, with 10-way power-adjustable front seats and heated, ventilated captain’s chairs in the second row. However, the third row was less accommodating, with limited headroom and cargo space. The Sequoia's design and features were aimed at those seeking a robust, off-road-capable vehicle, but its interior and ride quality left room for improvement.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, starting with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. A 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option provided 245 combined net horsepower, while the top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain delivered 362 combined net horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Highlander was available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, with the Hybrid Max exclusively in AWD. While not a sports car, the Hybrid Max offered impressive acceleration with a zero-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was expected to be popular with its standard turbo gas engine, which accounted for 85% of sales. Despite its size, the Grand Highlander maintained decent road manners, though it was less maneuverable than its smaller counterpart. The brakes were solid, and the steering, while numb, was adequate for most driving situations. The vehicle featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for AWD models.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came standard with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor and a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup produced 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, with a part-time four-wheel-drive system standard on the 1794 Edition. The Sequoia was powerful, offering quick acceleration and a robust engine note, but its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging only 16.2 mpg in testing. The Sequoia's towing capacity was impressive at 9,010 pounds, supported by a Tow Tech Package and optional self-leveling rear air suspension. However, the vehicle's packaging and driving dynamics were compromised by the rear-mounted battery pack and solid rear axle, leading to a jittery ride and excessive body motion. The Sequoia's off-road capabilities were limited by its low ground clearance and front air dam, though the TRD Off-Road Package added some rugged features. The steering was light and fluid, but the brakes were less satisfactory, with poor initial bite and fade issues during heavy braking.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was notably larger than its primary rivals, measuring 201.4 inches in length with a 116.1-inch wheelbase. This size translated to ample storage space, with a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet. Even with all seats in place, it offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space, making it a practical choice for families. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with good visibility and plenty of room in all three rows. The third row was particularly accommodating, even for adults, making the Grand Highlander a versatile option for those needing extra space without sacrificing comfort.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia, while a full-size SUV, offered less interior space compared to some rivals. It could seat up to eight people, but the third row was best suited for shorter passengers due to limited headroom and a high floor. The 1794 Edition featured comfortable front seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, as well as heated and ventilated captain’s chairs in the second row. However, the third row was less accessible and comfortable, with limited cargo space of just 11.5 cubic feet when all seats were in use. Folding the third row increased cargo capacity to 49 cubic feet, but the maximum volume of 86.9 cubic feet was still less than competitors. The Sequoia's design and features were more suited to those prioritizing towing and off-road capabilities over interior space.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a significant improvement over previous Toyota interfaces. It included features like dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An intelligent assistant was available through a connected-services subscription, allowing voice commands for various functions. The Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing good sound quality. While the tech offerings were advanced, they required careful consideration of subscription options to maximize their usefulness.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered five connected services plans with trial subscriptions, including Wi-Fi Connect and Drive Connect for cloud-based navigation and voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 14-speaker JBL premium sound system. The Sequoia's tech was comprehensive, but many features depended on active subscriptions. The lack of a tuning knob was a minor inconvenience, but the surround-view camera system and digital rearview mirror were valuable additions.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems. It included features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was also standard, offering four following-distance settings. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the Grand Highlander was well-equipped with safety features.

The 2025 Toyota Sequoia came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. While the safety tech was comprehensive, the lane assist features could be intrusive, leading to false warnings and a less satisfying driving experience. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.