Toyota’s full-size Sequoia enters its third-generation.
Toyota
Toyota’s full-size, three-row SUV enters its third technology this week with the debut of the 2023 Sequoia. Based on the identical body-on-frame platform because the 2022 Toyota Tundra and Land Cruiser, the brand new Sequoia hits the highway with a daring new look, hybrid energy and a brand new, luxurious Capstone trim stage on the prime of the lineup.
Bold new look
The broad strokes and particulars of the Sequoia’s new look are acquainted from the brand new Tundra, from the overall form of the grille to the T-shaped headlamps with their built-in intakes. Personally, I believe the Sequoia’s fascia seems to be significantly better with a extra conservative grille therapy that avoids the weather of the Tundra’s design that I discover most upsetting — the way in which the pickup’s grille flows over the entrance bumper and the awkward silver handlebar ‘stache it creates for higher specs.
Overall, I’m not recoiling from the Sequoia in the identical approach I initially did upon assembly the Tundra, and I’m really digging the squared-off profile and powerful shoulder particulars created by the entrance and, notably, the rear fender arches with their deep, dramatic undercuts. The tail finish is a bit bland; the brand new horizontal tail lights look good sufficient, however it appears like Toyota’s designers did not actually know what to do with such a big canvas and my first act as an proprietor can be to debadge the “S E Q U O I A” that stretches awkwardly throughout the liftgate.
For Limited or higher trim ranges, that liftgate options hands-free energy opening and divulges a power-folding third row with sliding adjustment and a brand new adjustable cargo shelf system. The Sequoia is on the market in each seven- and six-seat configurations, relying on whether or not consumers select the second row bench or captain’s chairs. Toyota’s announcement does not embody particulars for passenger or cargo capability, however we’ll replace this house when the numbers are printed.
Standard i-Force Max Hybrid
The Sequoia comes commonplace with Toyota’s new i-Force Max Hybrid powertrain, which we have seen beforehand within the Tundra pickup. This setup sandwiches an electrical motor into the bell housing between a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and its 10-speed computerized transmission. All in all, Toyota estimates a system peak of 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque — 56 ponies and 182 lb-ft greater than the present technology’s 5.7-liter V8 — which makes its approach through a two-speed switch case to both the rear wheels or an out there 4WDemand part-time 4WD system. The hybrid powerplant elevates the Sequoia’s towing capability to 9,000 kilos, however must also boast an enormous gas economic system enchancment over the earlier technology. Final miles-per-gallon estimates have not been said, however it should not be too laborious to beat immediately’s 15 mpg mixed.
Toyota’s hybrid i-Force Max powertrain is commonplace gear for all grades.
Toyota
Drivers will be capable to customise the Sequoia’s efficiency with Eco, Normal, Sport and Tow/Haul settings for the brand new Drive Mode Select system, adjusting the electrical motor’s habits. When outfitted with both the Load-Leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension choices, Comfort and Sport Plus suspension settings additionally unlock. An optionally available Tow Tech Package can be out there, rolling within the automaker’s Trailer Backup Guide and Straight Path Assist options.
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Big-screen tech
The Sequoia’s large dashboard includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, however is dominated by an appropriately large 14-inch show that is commonplace on Limited and up trims or as an optionally available improve for the bottom SR5 mannequin’s commonplace 8-inch display. Either approach you go, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are additionally commonplace, as is Toyota’s new Intelligent Assistant that allows you to give voice instructions by saying, “Hey, Toyota.” The new tech additionally includes a 4G information connection (through subscription) that powers a Wi-Fi hotspot, provides over-the-air updates for its cloud-based navigation with Google point-of-interest information and allows native Apple Music and Amazon Music streaming.
The optionally available 14-inch Toyota Multimedia Audio System is 4G-connected and completely large.
Toyota
On the security facet, all 2023 Sequoia fashions will come commonplace with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 driver support suite, which implies dynamic radar cruise management, lane tracing help, computerized excessive beams and a sophisticated precollision braking system with pedestrian and bike owner detection, in addition to detection of oncoming visitors throughout left-hand turns. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and parking pace computerized braking options spherical out the Sequioa’s security suite.
The most luxurious Sequoia but
New Sequoia consumers can have 5 grades to select from, together with the bottom SR5, the extra feature-rich Limited and extra luxurious Platinum fashions. At the highest of the road is the brand new Capstone trim, which Toyota calls probably the most luxurious Sequoia to this point. It’s nigh absolutely loaded and outfitted with chrome accents, commonplace 22-inch chrome wheels, energy working boards, a extra luxurious semianiline leather-trimmed inside with a black-and-white theme and open-pore American Walnut wooden trim. Even the glass on the Capstone mannequin is exclusive, with acoustic panes within the entrance doorways to additional quiet highway and wind noise.
The rear finish is probably the Sequoia’s weakest aesthetic angle.
Toyota
TRD Sport, Off-Road and Pro
The hybrid-only technique jibes with Toyota’s extra family-friendly, road-focused choices just like the hybrid-only Venza and Sienna. That stated, the Sequoia ought to nonetheless be loads succesful when it comes time to depart the overwhelmed path.
SR5 fashions may be upgraded with a TRD Sport bundle, swapping from 18s to 20-inch matte black TRD wheels and Bilstein monotube dampers with TRD springs. Aluminum pedals and a pink TRD begin button add a little bit of sporty bling to the cockpit.
For extra trail-ready efficiency, a TRD Off-Road bundle is on the market to SR5 and Limited 4×4 fashions. Checking this field provides a locking rear differential, 18-inch alloy wheels, Bilstein/TRD monotube dampers and comes and a pink entrance axle driveshaft, as a result of a bit of extra bling by no means damage anyone. Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control add a lot wanted management and sure-footedness on the path, whereas a Multi-Terrain Monitor is added to assist drivers exactly navigate obstacles.
The new Sequoia is on the market with two TRD fashion and efficiency packages and a full TRD Pro trim stage.
Toyota
The most “adventure-minded” Sequoia providing is the TRD Pro, which isn’t only a bundle, however a complete trim stage unto itself. The Pro beefs up with TRD-tuned Fox shocks, a quarter-inch TRD aluminum entrance skid plate and distinctive 18-inch black TRD alloy wheels with elevated offset for a wider stance. TRD Pro additionally comes commonplace with a roof rack, a Toyota heritage grille with marker lights and an embedded gentle bar and, just like the Off-Road package, additionally includes a lockable rear differential and Toyota’s varied path management and help techniques.
Summer 2022 availability
It’s about time Toyota obtained round to updating the Sequoia. The present technology has been round since 2007 with solely minor updates, and in these 15 years, the competitors from Ford, Chevy and now even Jeep has gotten a complete lot harder. The all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia steps again into the fray, arriving at dealerships this Summer. Pricing has not been introduced. The present $51,525 SR5 to $67,575 Platinum vary is an effective jumping-off level for estimates, with the brand new Capstone grade doubtless stretching the higher limits of that envelope.
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