Jump LinksEveryone knows that if you want the reliability, capability, and no-nonsense ethos of Toyota with a bit of luxury sprinkled in, you get a Lexus. Ever since they entered the US market in 1989, they've challenged the big German and American luxury carmakers at their own game and numerous times have come out on top. But if you're in the market for a big SUV, would you be content with the Toyota Sequoia and its top trims, or should you step up to the Lexus LX?While $30,000 is no small amount of money between the most expensive Toyota and the cheapest Lexus, it's practically the same car underneath. You might feel there's no point in choosing the luxury option. But there are real differences between these cars, so let's take a closer look at how Lexus can charge the price of a Miata on top of the Toyota. Most Of That Money Is Found Inside 2025 Lexus LX It might actually come as a surprise that the Lexus has less space inside with its massive starting price, but that's not what you're paying for. Still, passenger space isn't too far off, with 36.6 inches of legroom in the rear seats and 33.1 inches in the rearmost bench. There's also more customization here: with the Ultra Luxury trim, you get only two rear seats cocooned in creature comforts. That includes massaging rear seats, special wood trim, and reclining seats that can be adjusted to 48 degrees."Compared to its predecessor, the current-generation Sequoia feels like a spaceship inside, albeit a rugged one. Aside from a lack of split-screen functionality, Toyota's new infotainment system is mostly flawless, featuring wireless smartphone mirroring and excellent built-in voice command. There are tons of storage areas around the cabin, meaning there is always a spot for everyone's phones and other devices."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz2024 Toyota Sequoia Interior The Toyota is especially large, with 86.9 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which is nothing to scoff at. Corners have obviously been cut compared to the Lexus to lower the starting price, though you do get standard heated seats, an acoustic windshield, and an eight-speaker audio system. The LX offers ventilation in the front row, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-speaker system as standard, but the top version of the Sequoia gets a digital mirror, which the Lexus doesn't offer at its base price.What about if you just maxed out the Sequoia, though, and went with the Capstone trim? Well, you get a 14-speaker setup, heated and ventilated rear seats, and captain's chairs in the rear. It might not have the premium features like massaging, but it's definitely enough for 99% of people. What you don't get with the Capstone is a premium interior layout. The sweeping dashboard on the Lexus is much more upmarket, and if you mix in some wood trim, you'd instantly know which is more expensive. Same Platform, Different Capabilities Lexus LX 4th GenLet's compare the top-trim Toyota Sequoia's powertrain to the base Lexus LX's, since there's a big difference here. They both have the same powertrains available, but you're paying extra for the hybrid in both vehicles. That helps massively with power and torque, and a little with fuel efficiency. The Toyota's hybrid system gives it an extra 100 lb-ft of torque, which you'll notice immediately when you have your whole family on board, compared to the Lexus."In our opinion, the powertrain is the number one reason to choose the Sequoia over its rivals. This V6 engine is smooth, and the stop-start system is seamless thanks to the hybrid system. You can easily tell when the engine kicks off - not because it's rough, but because the Sequoia transitions from near silence to slightly obnoxious rather frequently. It's odd, but not difficult to get used to. As for the 10-speed automatic transmission, it's pretty much perfect: smooth and quick to shift."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz2025 Toyota SequoiaA hybrid powertrain also gives the Toyota an extra 1,000 pounds of towing capacity, bringing it to 8,980 lbs, and since it's the top trim, it has trailer backup assist as standard. The Lexus doesn't offer that system at all, so we'd lean towards the Toyota if you're planning on hauling cargo often. What the hybrid system doesn't do is improve fuel mileage much, which is one of the main reasons people choose an electrified powertrain in the first place. A single MPG extra is all you get combined, but an extra 50 miles of range is definitely welcome on the Toyota. Which One Does Better Off-Road? 2024 Toyota Sequoia TRD ProIt's no secret that American customers love a car that's ready to take on the trails, and while both the Lexus LX and the Toyota Sequoia have dedicated off-road trims, their top and base trims still have a lot going for them in this department. The Lexus, for example, has variable suspension height, which is a paid option on the Toyota Sequoia Capstone. The body-on-frame construction of both will help when maximum articulation is needed.The Toyota has slightly more ground clearance at 8.6 inches (the Lexus only has 8), but its premium rival boasts slightly better crawl angles at around 22 degrees approach and 21 degrees departure. The Toyota gets 15- and 20-degree angles. Only the off-road versions of the Toyota get multi-terrain select, whereas the Lexus gets it as standard, even on the base model. If you need ultimate grip through a center-locking differential, only the Lexus offers it. Pricing And Verdict: They Still Live In Different Segments 2026 Lexus LX F Sport HandlingEven if you spec the Sequoia all the way up to Capstone, the Lexus still offers small quality-of-life features that you wouldn't find on the Toyota. That mainly includes features that help you get through rough terrain, such as multi-terrain select and a variable-height suspension. While these features are available on the Sequoia TRD, the most off-road-focused trim, the base Lexus also gets them as standard.That extra $30,000 isn't just locked into extra features; it can also help bring some of the money back down the line. Lexus has one of the strongest resale values of any luxury car brand, as it combines that trademark Toyota reliability with long-lasting build quality. The Sequoia is one of the standout Toyota models in this case, though, and you won't lose out by not going for the premium option.Brand snobbery does exist, though, so the Lexus is always the right option if you need others around you to know your worth. The Capstone may have all the features you might need, but the modern design of a Lexus SUV is still hard to beat — and it'll probably age better than the current Sequoia.Sources: Toyota, Lexus
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