Toyota’s full-size Sequoia enters its third-generation.
Toyota
Toyota’s full-size, three-row SUV enters its 0.33 era this week with the debut of the 2023 Sequoia. In line with the similar body-on-frame platform because the 2022 Toyota Tundra and Land Cruiser, the brand new Sequoia hits the street with a daring new glance, hybrid chronic and a brand new, sumptuous Capstone trim stage on the best of the lineup.
Daring new glance
The wide strokes and main points of the Sequoia’s new glance are acquainted from the brand new Tundra, from the overall form of the grille to the T-shaped headlamps with their built-in intakes. For my part, I believe the Sequoia’s fascia appears a lot better with a extra conservative grille remedy that avoids the weather of the Tundra’s design that I in finding maximum scary — the way in which the pickup’s grille flows over the entrance bumper and the awkward silver handlebar ‘stache it creates for higher specifications.
Total, I am not recoiling from the Sequoia in the similar approach I first of all did upon assembly the Tundra, and I am if truth be told digging the squared-off profile and robust shoulder main points created by way of the entrance and, specifically, the rear fender arches with their deep, dramatic undercuts. The tail finish is somewhat bland; the brand new horizontal tail lighting glance great sufficient, nevertheless it appears like Toyota’s designers did not truly know what to do with this sort of massive canvas and my first act as an proprietor can be to debadge the “S E Q U O I A” that stretches awkwardly around the liftgate.
For Restricted or higher trim ranges, that liftgate options hands-free chronic opening and divulges a power-folding 0.33 row with sliding adjustment and a brand new adjustable shipment shelf machine. The Sequoia is to be had in each seven- and six-seat configurations, relying on whether or not consumers make a choice the second one row bench or captain’s chairs. Toyota’s announcement does not come with main points for passenger or shipment capability, however we will replace this area when the numbers are revealed.
Usual i-Drive Max Hybrid
The Sequoia comes same old with Toyota’s new i-Drive Max Hybrid powertrain, which we have now observed up to now within the Tundra pickup. This setup sandwiches an electrical motor into the bell housing between a three.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and its 10-speed computerized transmission. All in all, Toyota estimates a machine height of 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque — 56 ponies and 182 lb-ft greater than the present era’s 5.7-liter V8 — which makes its approach by means of a two-speed switch case to both the rear wheels or an to be had 4WDemand part-time 4 wheel drive machine. The hybrid powerplant elevates the Sequoia’s towing capability to 9,000 kilos, however will have to additionally boast an enormous gasoline financial system development over the former era. Ultimate miles-per-gallon estimates have not been mentioned, nevertheless it should not be too laborious to overcome as of late’s 15 mpg mixed.
Toyota’s hybrid i-Drive Max powertrain is same old apparatus for all grades.
Toyota
Drivers will have the ability to customise the Sequoia’s efficiency with Eco, Commonplace, Game and Tow/Haul settings for the brand new Force Mode Choose machine, adjusting the electrical motor’s habits. When supplied with both the Load-Leveling Rear Peak Regulate Air Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension choices, Convenience and Game Plus suspension settings additionally liberate. An not obligatory Tow Tech Bundle may be to be had, rolling within the automaker’s Trailer Backup Information and Immediately Trail Lend a hand options.
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2023 Toyota Sequoia debuts twin-turbo hybrid V6, bold…
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Big-screen tech
The Sequoia’s massive dashboard features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, but is dominated by an appropriately massive 14-inch display that’s standard on Limited and up trims or as an optional upgrade for the base SR5 model’s standard 8-inch screen. Either way you go, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard, as is Toyota’s new Intelligent Assistant that lets you give voice commands by saying, “Hey, Toyota.” The new tech also features a 4G data connection (via subscription) that powers a Wi-Fi hotspot, gives over-the-air updates for its cloud-based navigation with Google point-of-interest data and enables native Apple Music and Amazon Music streaming.
The optional 14-inch Toyota Multimedia Audio System is 4G-connected and absolutely massive.
Toyota
On the safety side, all 2023 Sequoia models will come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 driver aid suite, which means dynamic radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams and an advanced precollision braking system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as detection of oncoming traffic during left-hand turns. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and parking speed automatic braking features round out the Sequioa’s safety suite.
The most luxurious Sequoia yet
New Sequoia shoppers will have five grades to choose from, including the base SR5, the more feature-rich Limited and more luxurious Platinum models. At the top of the line is the new Capstone trim, which Toyota calls the most luxurious Sequoia to date. It’s nigh fully loaded and outfitted with chrome accents, standard 22-inch chrome wheels, power running boards, a more luxurious semianiline leather-trimmed interior with a black-and-white theme and open-pore American Walnut wood trim. Even the glass on the Capstone model is unique, with acoustic panes in the front doors to further quiet road and wind noise.
The rear end is perhaps the Sequoia’s weakest aesthetic angle.
Toyota
TRD Sport, Off-Road and Pro
The hybrid-only strategy jibes with Toyota’s more family-friendly, road-focused offerings like the hybrid-only Venza and Sienna. That said, the Sequoia should still be plenty capable when it comes time to leave the beaten path.
SR5 models can be upgraded with a TRD Sport package, swapping from 18s to 20-inch matte black TRD wheels and Bilstein monotube dampers with TRD springs. Aluminum pedals and a red TRD start button add a bit of sporty bling to the cockpit.
For more trail-ready performance, a TRD Off-Road package is available to SR5 and Limited 4×4 models. Checking this box adds a locking rear differential, 18-inch alloy wheels, Bilstein/TRD monotube dampers and springs and a red front axle driveshaft, because a little more bling never hurt anybody. Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control add much needed control and sure-footedness on the trail, while a Multi-Terrain Monitor is added to help drivers precisely navigate obstacles.
The new Sequoia is available with two TRD style and performance packages and a full TRD Pro trim level.
Toyota
The most “adventure-minded” Sequoia offering is the TRD Pro, which is not just a package, but a whole trim level unto itself. The Pro beefs up with TRD-tuned Fox shocks, a quarter-inch TRD aluminum front skid plate and unique 18-inch black TRD alloy wheels with increased offset for a wider stance. TRD Pro also comes standard with a roof rack, a Toyota heritage grille with marker lights and an embedded light bar and, like the Off-Road kit, also features a lockable rear differential and Toyota’s various trail control and assist systems.
Summer 2022 availability
It’s about time Toyota got around to updating the Sequoia. The current generation has been around since 2007 with only minor updates, and in those 15 years, the competition from Ford, Chevy and now even Jeep has gotten a whole lot tougher. The all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia steps back into the fray, arriving at dealerships this Summer. Pricing has not been announced. The current $51,525 SR5 to $67,575 Platinum range is a good jumping-off point for estimates, with the new Capstone grade likely stretching the upper limits of that envelope.
