2021 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, despite its age, maintained a robust presence with its large silhouette and subtle updates from its 2018 facelift. The Nightshade Special Edition added a touch of modernity, but the overall design still reflected its mid-2000s origins. Inside, the Sequoia offered a spacious cabin with comfortable, albeit bulky, seats. The front seats were somewhat cramped for taller drivers, especially with the optional sunroof, but the second row provided ample headroom and legroom. The Sequoia's trims ranged from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-focused TRD Pro and the luxurious Platinum, each offering a variety of features and packages to suit different preferences.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX presented a modern and sporty design, with sharp character lines and angular features that gave it an aggressive stance among its midsize luxury crossover competitors. The RX's exterior was complemented by a range of paint options, including the striking Grecian Water for F Sport models. Inside, the RX continued its luxury appeal with a variety of color combinations and materials, although the F Sport trim added a sporty touch with specific badging and Scored Aluminum accents. Despite its stylish interior, the RX's center stack felt dated, and the seats, particularly in the F Sport, lacked the expected comfort and adjustability.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a standard 5.7-liter V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, provided strong acceleration, even for a vehicle weighing up to 6,000 pounds. The Sequoia's driving dynamics were reminiscent of a truck, with a soft suspension and powerful brakes, which some drivers appreciated. However, its towing capacity of 7,400 pounds fell short compared to competitors like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with electric motors for a total of 308 horsepower. All RX models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and hesitant acceleration. The F Sport trim offered additional performance features, but the differences between drive modes were minimal. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long drives. Fuel efficiency was a strong point for the RX, especially the hybrid model, which achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasted a spacious cabin with nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 120 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. This made it one of the more capacious options in its class, though it fell slightly short of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition. The Sequoia's power-retractable rear window was a unique feature, offering convenient access to the cargo area. While the front-row space could have been better utilized, the Sequoia provided ample storage options with deep door pockets and a large center console.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its standard two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. The three-row L models, however, were cramped, with limited cargo space of just 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row. The RX's cargo area expanded to 58.48 cubic feet with both rear rows folded, but the seats did not fold completely flat. Despite these limitations, the RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. Our test model's 9-inch screen felt small on the large dash, but the system was user-friendly with simple menus and large hard buttons. The digital trip computer was basic but functional, reflecting the Sequoia's overall straightforward approach to technology.

In the 2022 Lexus RX, the standard infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was ergonomically challenging, with a lip obstructing access to some icons. The touchpad interface was particularly frustrating, making it difficult to navigate the system. However, the RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, smartphone integration, wireless charging, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options, such as remote engine start and vehicle settings.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional standard features were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Despite its comprehensive safety features, the Sequoia's older platform resulted in a four-star rollover rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, offering adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, and a pre-collision system with cyclist and pedestrian detection. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a head-up display. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, though it missed the "plus" designation due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with a five-star rating in side crash tests.