Compare the2024 Toyota SequoiaVS 2023 Lexus GX

The Sequoia has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sequoia has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Sequoia and GX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Sequoia has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The GX’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Sequoia and the GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors and available four-wheel drive.

The Toyota Sequoia weighs 428 to 1059 pounds more than the Lexus GX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sequoia for 1 year and 15000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the GX (2/25000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sequoia’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Sequoia’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The battery on the Sequoia is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Sequoia’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The GX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lexus is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Lexus is ranked second.

The Sequoia’s 3.4 turbo V6 hybrid produces 136 more horsepower (437 vs. 301) and 254 lbs.-ft. more torque (583 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Sequoia is faster than the Lexus GX:

On the EPA test cycle the Sequoia gets better mileage than the GX:

Regenerative brakes improve the Sequoia’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Sequoia’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

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

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Toyota Sequoia, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

For better stopping power the Sequoia’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

For better traction, the Sequoia TRD Pro’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (285/65R18 vs. 265/60R18).

The Sequoia Capstone’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Sequoia Capstone has standard 22-inch wheels. The GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Sequoia has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sequoia’s wheelbase is 12.2 inches longer than on the GX (122 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sequoia is 6.5 inches wider in the front and 6.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GX.

The Sequoia Capstone 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Sequoia’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the GX’s (40.2 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Sequoia has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (8.6 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Sequoia to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Sequoia TRD Pro’s minimum ground clearance is 1 inch higher than on the GX (9.1 vs. 8.1 inches).

The front grille of the Sequoia uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The Sequoia has 1.2 inches more front headroom, 6.1 inches more front hip room, 9.6 inches more front shoulder room, 5.1 inches more rear legroom, 5.6 inches more rear hip room, 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room, .4 inches more third row headroom, 4.4 inches more third row legroom, 7.8 inches more third row hip room and 8.1 inches more third row shoulder room than the GX.

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

The Sequoia’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sequoia’s power cargo door can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GX doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening cargo door.

The Sequoia’s minimum standard towing capacity is much higher than the GX’s (9120 vs. 6500 pounds).

The Sequoia has a much higher standard payload capacity than the GX (1555 vs. 1295 lbs.).

The Sequoia has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the GX (1730 vs. 1295 lbs.).

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 GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Sequoia (except SR5/Limited/TRD Pro) offers an available heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The GX doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Sequoia’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The Sequoia’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Sequoia to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The GX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Sequoia’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Sequoia Limited/TRD Pro/Platinum/Capstone has standard front air conditioned seats and the Sequoia Platinum/Capstone also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The GX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Sequoia (except SR5) offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sequoia first among large suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The GX isn’t in the top three in its category.