One key element of the Toyota Sequoia’s redesign for the 2023 model year is the new Capstone trim, which first debuted on the SUV’s platform sibling, the redesigned Tundra pickup truck. The Capstone sits atop the Sequoia lineup and includes premium, trim-exclusive features. While it’s not quite on the level of Lexus, Toyota’s premium brand, the Capstone does serve as a nice foil for another mainstream brand’s take on premium: Chevrolet’s High Country trim.
Conveniently, both a new Sequoia Capstone and its Chevy rival, the 2022 Tahoe SUV, were present at the 2022 Chicago Auto Show, with the Tahoe in High Country garb.
It gives us a chance to see how the two stack up inside, though a full comparison will have to wait until we’re able to drive the just-unveiled Sequoia. Keeping in mind that the Sequoia Capstone at the auto show is a prototype and some specifics may change by the time it hits dealerships, I compared how the two stack up.
First Row
For sheer comfort, I have to give a slight nod to the Chevrolet thanks to its slightly narrower center console area that enables more knee and thigh width. In other respects, the Sequoia is the place to be: Both SUVs have a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel (standard on all levels of the Sequoia, and on the Tahoe’s LT trim and above), but the Sequoia’s 14-inch touchscreen display dwarfs the Tahoe’s 10.2-inch unit.
Both SUVs also use a great deal of physical controls for climate, audio and other tasks, something we’re always thankful to find. I find the Sequoia’s layout a bit busier and possibly more confusing; on the bright side, it has a lever-style gear selector, which I prefer over the Tahoe’s push-button selector that’s high on the dashboard.
Second Row
Comfort here is also a push. Both SUVs provide ample legroom for second-row passengers, and both examples at the show had panoramic moonroofs that slightly encroached on my headroom. Both offer heated captain’s chairs, though the Sequoia’s are also ventilated. The real differentiating factor here is technology: The Tahoe has four total USB ports for second-row passengers (two USB-A, two USB-C) and an optional rear entertainment system. The Sequoia has only two ports and no entertainment system.
An additional factor is Toyota’s choice to have a storage console with cupholders between the Capstone’s captain’s chairs; it’s convenient for the second-row passengers but makes third-row access between the two seats more difficult. It is removable, at least, but if you have items stored there, that’s probably a pain.
Materials quality for both SUVs dips from the first row to the second, but not more noticeably in one model than the other.
Third Row
In their previous generations, the third rows were vastly different — the old Sequoia could fit adults, while the old Tahoe was a place best left for children or adults you didn’t particularly like. The latest models are much more similar. With the Tahoe’s switch to an independent rear suspension, the third row is now manageable for adults, with modest knee clearance but a relatively high seating height. The new Sequoia still fits adults, but it feels slightly smaller than its predecessor, with better knee clearance than the Tahoe but a higher knee position thanks to a seat that’s lower to the floor. Ultimately, it’s a wash for space — but Chevrolet again wins on the tech front, with USB-C ports on each side of the third row. The Sequoia has none.
Cargo
We’ll have to put the Sequoia’s cargo area through Cars.com’s independent assessment of volume for an accurate comparison, but it’s worth noting that, while Toyota offers a convenient storage shelf, its flat load floor sits considerably higher than the bottom of its cargo opening, potentially making larger items more difficult to load.
Both SUVs have power-folding third rows, though the Sequoia’s can also slide 6 inches for improved storage capacity.
Overall
Without any sort of driving comparison, I think the Tahoe High Country gets the slight nod here with its more tech-friendly interior. For the first time in a while, though, the Sequoia isn’t far behind.
Related Video:
Keyword: 2023 Toyota Sequoia vs. 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe: Comparing the Interiors