Starting at
Starting at
8,400 | Towing (lb) | 7,400 |
420 | Horsepower (hp) | 381 |
122.9 | Cargo (cb. ft.) | 120.1 |
There are many options out there for full-size SUVs, so making a decision can be complicated. If you’re looking at the 2021 GMC Yukon vs 2021 Toyota Sequoia, you’re likely wondering what sets these two apart. While their specs come off as similar in some respects, they’re actually very different overall. Despite falling into the same price range, the 2021 GMC Yukon dominates the Sequoia in towing capacity, horsepower, interior, and technology.
Don’t get us wrong; both models are great options for family-oriented SUV drivers. But, GMC has much more experience behind their large SUV model than Toyota does. For example, the Yukon has been around since 1991, whereas the Sequoia didn’t come into the picture until ten years later, in 2001. And you can tell that those ten extra years of dependability and innovation make a difference, as GMC comes out as the clear winner with their 2021 Yukon. We’re excited to show you why the new Yukon is the best model for you.
Space is a large factor in choosing a full-size SUV, but power is at the top of the list as well. You don’t want to purchase a model like this solely for its space, or you’d be looking into vans instead of SUVs. So, between the 2021 GMC Yukon and the 2021 Toyota Sequoia, which one offers the most power? Better yet, which one should you choose if you need to get some towing and hauling done?
First, let’s look at their towing capacities overall. Here, the 2021 Yukon clearly wins, with a max 8,400 pound towing capacity. The Sequoia falls exactly 1,000 pounds below that, with a max towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. In addition to the massive weight differences here, the Yukon also offers towing tech features such as Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, an In-Vehicle Trailering App, and an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller. Let’s look at the benefits of each trailer feature.
First, Hitch Guidance with Hitch View is essentially a backup camera for trailers. Not only does this technology help you hook up your trailer alone, but it also helps you safely back into parking spaces and down driveways with ease. Hitch View zooms the camera in on your hitch so that hooking up your trailer is easier than ever before. Even if you have a friend there with you to help, this technology still works better because you don’t have to listen for verbal cues or keep getting in and out of the vehicle.
Your In-Vehicle Trailering App is your one-stop location for all your important trailering specs. These include specs such as trailer tire pressure, the fuel economy you’re getting with your specific trailer, and much more. You’ll also get something called a “pre-departure checklist,” which is there to remind you to make sure your trailer is properly hooked up before you start driving. This app also lets you test out your trailer lights and set up specific profiles for each of your trailers. That way, you don’t have to readjust the settings every time you hook up a new trailer. Finally, your trailer brake controller is there to let you fully control the trailer brakes without affecting the Yukon’s brakes at all. This is done by adjusting a trailer brake knob within the vehicle cab.
The 2021 Toyota Sequoia is tow-capable, but it does not offer many towing assistance features. It does include a Tow/Haul mode, though, just like the Yukon. This mode helps your transmission’s lifespan by adjusting the vehicle’s shifting patterns to reduce wear and tear that comes with heavier items.
While the Sequoia does come with your classic four-wheel high and low options, the Yukon includes Sport, Normal, Off-Road, and Tow/Haul modes as well. The Yukon does all this while getting up to 16 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway with its standard V8 engine, while the Sequoia only gets 13 MPG in the city and 17 MPG on the highway. It’s safe to say that the Sequoia is still very tow-capable, but it’s easy to see that the Yukon dominates the performance department when we compare the two models.
You’re not likely to choose a full-size SUV if you don’t need room for family members. Otherwise, you’d likely choose a truck for your towing necessities. And when the family is on board, you want that extra safety assurance. So, let’s take a look at the safety features of the 2021 GMC Yukon and the 2021 Toyota Sequoia to see which one offers the most protection.
The 2021 GMC Yukon comes with several driver-assist features. First off, this model has the best camera setup in its class. You’ll get nine different camera views when you choose the Yukon, which includes side views, front and rear views, surround views, and even a full surround camera view. You’ll also get unique features such as Rear Pedestrian Alert. While many vehicles come with Front Pedestrian Alert and braking, the Yukon can detect when passengers are behind your vehicle while you’re in reverse as well.
Like any good, new model, the Yukon comes with Lane Change Alert and Lane Keep Assist, helping to ensure that you don’t drift into the wrong lane, sideswipe someone, or cut off another vehicle in traffic. It also includes other expected driver-assist features like Blind Spot Monitoring and Forward Collision Alert. However, what really makes this model stand out is GM’s Teen Driver Mode.
With Teen Driver Mode, you can send your new drivers out with peace of mind. This technology lets you set limits for speed and volume, you can adjust the driver’s curfew, and you can even track the vehicle’s location to make sure your teen is where they say they are. Further, if your young driver was to get lost and need your help, you can access their location with ease.
The 2021 Toyota Sequoia does include some of the same features as the Yukon, such as Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and a backup camera. Blind Spot Monitoring is great, especially for interstate driving, because it sends you an alert when a vehicle comes up beside you. The Sequoia even comes with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, which lets drivers know when a vehicle is approaching from behind in a parking lot.
However, the Sequoia does not offer multiple camera angles like the Yukon does. It also doesn’t come with rear or front pedestrian detection options. Overall, the 2021 GMC Yukon offers the most available safety features, especially for families.
When you purchase a large SUV, you want plenty of space. When you start comparing different models, you’ll see that while all large SUVs are spacious, some offer more space than others. This is true when we look at the 2021 GMC Yukon vs the 2021 Toyota Sequoia.
The Yukon offers best-in-class cargo space, with a massive 122.9 cubic feet rating. If you choose the larger Yukon XL, that goes up to an incredible 144.7 cubic feet. It’s also easier to load up with its hands-free power back liftgate and lower loading floor. The Yukon also offers a unique power sliding center console that can move back up to 10 inches to provide added front storage. Cargo space isn’t the only space the new Yukon offers, as now, the 2021 GMC Yukon offers nearly 35 inches of third-row legroom.
Now, being a back seat passenger doesn’t mean you miss out on front seat luxuries. In addition to the added legroom, passengers now get their own climate control and vents alongside available rear entertainment screens. These two rear media screens measure 12.6 inches, and they offer touchscreen capability so that your passengers can play games, share navigation points, and control music. The best part about this is that your passengers can actually connect external systems to the screen using an HDMI cord. So, if you’ve got gamers in your family, you’re in luck.
There are also several wireless charging stations available in the Yukon. You’ll get as many as eight USB ports, available wireless charging, two 110-volt chargers, and one 12-volt charger. This, in combination with the standard 10.2-inch central infotainment screen and the Yukon’s Wi-Fi hotspot, makes it the best large family SUV on the market.
The 2021 Toyota Sequoia, on the other hand, only offers up to 120 cubic feet of cargo space. Further, it includes a mere 7-inch central touchscreen, and the rear-seat entertainment system is a fold-down 9-inch display. The Sequoia does include a Wi-Fi hotspot option, but it only offers three USB charging ports. While this model does offer many similar interior features, when going up against the 2021 GMC Yukon, the Sequoia’s interior features pale in comparison.