2022 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia, a continuation of its second generation, showcased a mature design that had remained largely unchanged since 2008. Its exterior maintained a classic appeal with a modestly sized grille and elegant wheel arches, avoiding the oversized features seen in many modern SUVs. The Sequoia's dimensions were substantial, standing 77 inches tall, 79.9 inches wide, and 205.1 inches long, with a 122-inch wheelbase. Inside, the Sequoia's age was more apparent, with a somewhat dated dashboard and a 7-inch touchscreen that paled in comparison to the larger screens found in newer models. However, the interior was well-constructed, with high-quality materials and a durable feel, making it suitable for families. The Nightshade Special Edition added a modern touch with darkened chrome and black-painted finishes, enhancing its visual appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus RX presented a modern and sporty design, especially following its 2020 facelift. Available in various trims, including the performance-oriented F Sport, the RX stood out with its aggressive styling and sharp character lines. The RX's exterior featured angular elements that were eye-catching yet tastefully restrained. The F Sport trim added unique features like 20-inch wheels and a distinctive front fascia, enhancing its athletic appearance. Inside, the RX offered a luxurious cabin with numerous color combinations and high-quality materials. However, the center stack felt a bit dated, and the F Sport seats were less comfortable than expected. Despite these drawbacks, the RX excelled in driving comfort and cabin quietness, making it a pleasant companion for long journeys.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine, delivering 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and offered a lockable Torsen limited-slip center differential and a two-speed transfer case in 4WD models. The Sequoia's truck-based construction provided a payload capacity of around 1,300 pounds and a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. However, its weight of 5,730 to 6,000 pounds contributed to its low fuel economy, with ratings of 13 mpg city/17 mpg highway/15 mpg combined for RWD models. Despite its heft, the Sequoia offered a smooth and stable ride, with excellent off-road capabilities, thanks to its robust construction and independent double-wishbone suspension.

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 output of 308 hp. All RX models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The RX hybrid was AWD only. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim added performance dampers and an adaptive variable suspension, but the driving experience remained largely unchanged between drive modes. The RX excelled in comfort and quietness, with a compliant ride and minimal road noise. Fuel economy for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway/23 mpg combined, while the RX 450h achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia prioritized passenger comfort, offering spacious seating across all three rows. It featured three-zone climate control, a power moonroof, and available heated and ventilated front seats. The Sequoia provided ample storage, with a large center console, glove compartment, and door pockets. Its cargo space was generous, with 18.9 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 66.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 120.1 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

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 had limited space, with only 7.45 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. With the third row down, cargo capacity increased to 23.03 cubic feet, and up to 58.48 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net, but the rear seats did not fold completely flat, and the load-in height was high.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen and a 4.5-inch TFT driver information screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with WiFi connectivity and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Sequoia Limited added navigation and a 12-speaker audio system, with an optional premium audio package. Despite its dated technology, the Sequoia featured LED exterior lighting and standard safety features like a rear backup camera and parking sonar.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were positioned atop the center stack, creating access issues. The RX offered voice commands and a touchpad, but the latter was frustrating to use. The RX included numerous tech features, such as six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App provided additional connectivity options, including remote engine start and service scheduling.

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS but offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. The Toyota Safety Sense P suite included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also featured a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Toyota's STAR safety system, which included stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes.

The 2022 Lexus RX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and a pre-collision system. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS when equipped with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.