2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV maintained a subtle exterior, with no gratuitous styling changes to distinguish it from its non-hybrid counterparts. The charging port was cleverly integrated into the grille, making it nearly invisible unless pointed out. This approach aligned with Land Rover's understanding that design is a crucial factor for buyers, avoiding unnecessary details that might detract from the vehicle's appeal. The test model, priced at $93,200 with options, featured striking Firenze Red paint, a black roof, and 21-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its already impressive presence. Inside, the cabin was adorned with high-quality materials, reflecting the vehicle's premium price tag, although some features did not function as expected.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, offered a spacious and practical interior. Introduced in 2007, the Sequoia received a facelift in 2018, with minor updates for 2021, including the Nightshade Special Edition. The interior design felt dated, with a massive center dash and a standard 7-inch touchscreen that appeared small against the expansive dashboard. However, the Sequoia excelled in cabin space, providing ample headroom and legroom, especially in the second row. The vehicle's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the range-topping Platinum, each offering various features and options to suit different preferences.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 141-hp electric motor, producing a total of 398 horsepower and 472 pound-feet of torque. Despite Land Rover's claim of a 31-mile all-electric range, the test vehicle struggled to maintain EV mode, possibly due to climate control usage or hilly terrain. The SUV averaged 25.5 mpg over a 60-mile loop, a modest improvement over previous models. The Range Rover Sport PHEV offered quick acceleration and a comfortable ride, thanks to its adaptive air suspension and various driving modes. However, the regenerative brakes were grabby, and the EV mode proved frustrating due to charging issues.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia featured a robust 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Sequoia provided strong acceleration, although its fuel economy lagged behind competitors. The SUV's driving dynamics resembled a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes. Despite some body roll, the Sequoia handled corners well, and its towing capacity reached 7,400 pounds, though it fell short of class leaders like the Ford Expedition. Overall, the Sequoia offered a confident driving experience, appealing to those who appreciated its truck-like characteristics.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV faced challenges with cargo space due to the battery placement beneath the raised cargo floor, reducing the available space to 27.5 cubic feet. The interior comfortably accommodated five passengers, with excellent front-seat comfort and a tall riding position for rear-seat passengers. The test vehicle featured a panoramic glass roof and 4-zone automatic climate control, enhancing the cabin experience. However, practical storage was limited, and the narrow armrests proved uncomfortable.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin, with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and up to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The power-retractable rear window was a standout feature, allowing easy access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia offered deep in-door pockets and a massive center console for storage. The vehicle's design may have felt dated, but it provided ample space for passengers and cargo alike.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport's InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system was complex and occasionally frustrating to use. Despite spending time setting up the system, the lack of haptic feedback and unexpected behavior from the touchscreen led to occasional confusion. While the vehicle offered a clean and modern interior aesthetic, technophobes might find the technology overwhelming.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The test model's larger 9-inch screen still felt small on the large dash, but the system was easy to use, with simple menu navigation and hard buttons for convenience. While the Sequoia's technology was dated, its simplicity was refreshing and user-friendly.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included advanced driver-assistance systems, but the technology could be distracting. The optional Driver Assist Package's steering-assist system was aggressive, and the lane-keeping assist system worked too abruptly, leading to a decision to disable these features. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, but the vehicle's weight provided some reassurance in a collision.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, offering features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. While lacking more advanced tech like lane-keeping assist, the Sequoia provided a generous list of standard safety features. However, its older platform resulted in a four-star NHTSA rollover rating, with no further crash test ratings available.