Compare the2022 Toyota SequoiaVS 2021 Audi Q7

The Toyota Sequoia has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q7 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Sequoia’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Sequoia and the Q7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available four-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sequoia weighs 648 to 1201 pounds more than the Audi Q7. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Sequoia 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the Q7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sequoia for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q7.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Sequoia’s reliability 49 points higher than the Q7.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia third among large suvs in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Q7 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota 19th in initial quality. With 48 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Audi is ranked 14th.

The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 133 more horsepower (381 vs. 248) and 128 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 273) than the Q7 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sequoia’s 5.7 DOHC V8 produces 46 more horsepower (381 vs. 335) and 32 lbs.-ft. more torque (401 vs. 369) than the Q7 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Sequoia uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Q7 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Sequoia has 6.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q7 45 TFSI’s standard fuel tank (26.4 vs. 19.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Sequoia has 3.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q7 55 TFSI’s standard fuel tank (26.4 vs. 22.5 gallons).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Sequoia higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi Q7 (3 to 5). This means the Sequoia produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q7 every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Sequoia has larger tires than the Q7 (275/65R18 vs. 255/55R19).

The Sequoia has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Q7; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the Q7 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The Sequoia offers an optional automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 4.1 inches longer than on the Q7 (122 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 1.8 inches wider in the front and 2.5 inches wider in the rear than on the Q7.

For better maneuverability, the Sequoia’s turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the Q7’s (38.1 feet vs. 41 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a 1.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q7 (10 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Sequoia’s minimum ground clearance is .3 inch higher than on the Q7 w/Air Suspension (10 vs. 9.7 inches).

The Sequoia has standard seating for 8 passengers; the Q7 can only carry 7.

The Sequoia has .8 inches more front legroom, 6.9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.1 inches more rear legroom, 7.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 6.1 inches more third row legroom and 16.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Q7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Sequoia’s middle and third row seats recline. The Q7’s third row seats don’t recline.

The Sequoia’s cargo area provides more volume than the Q7.

The Sequoia’s cargo area is larger than the Q7’s in almost every dimension:

The Sequoia’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Q7’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q7’s (7100 vs. 4400 pounds).

The Sequoia’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Q7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Sequoia has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Sequoia Limited/Nightshade offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Sequoia is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sequoia is less expensive to operate than the Q7 because it costs $264 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Sequoia than the Q7, including $671 less for a muffler, $92 less for front brake pads, $92 less for a starter, $470 less for fuel injection, $352 less for front struts, $81 less for a timing belt/chain and $369 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Sequoia, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Audi Q7 isn't recommended.