Vehicle Type: The 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a full-size three-row SUV capable of seating up to 8 passengers.
Price Range: The 2023 Toyota Sequoia has a starting MSRP of $58,300. With the current Sequoia destination fee of $1,495, that would bring the base starting price to $59,795. Even though the most luxurious and well-appointed Sequoia Capstone is the range-topping trim level, the Sequoia TRD Pro initially costs more because of its additional off-road equipment. TRD Pro models will cost $78,395 with the destination fee and no additional options added.
Powertrain: The new 2023 Sequoia will only feature one powertrain.
It will come standard with Toyota’s iForce MAX hybrid setup that is currently optional in the Toyota Tundra pickup truck.
It features a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine and one electric motor that puts 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque to the wheels via a ten-speed automatic transmission.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, but four-wheel-drive will be available. Four-wheel drive will be standard on the off-road-focused TRD Pro trim.
What’s New for 2022?
The Toyota Sequoia has been completely redesigned for the 2023 model year. Of course, the most striking distinction between the outgoing model and the new Sequoia is the styling. It is much boxier and trucklike than its predecessor. The interior has been redesigned too, and it is now much more modern and upscale, a must in today’s market.
The other huge change from the outgoing Sequoia is its new powerplant. Gone is the gas-guzzling 5.7-liter V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. It produced 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. Those are healthy numbers, but the new twin-turbo V6 engine produces 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque with the help of an electric motor.
More standard tech features and additional optional features are also being added to the lineup to modernize the large SUV. A huge 14-inch infotainment screen now comes on most trims with improved infotainment software as well. Heated and ventilated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and a head-up display are some additional features that add nice touches to bring the Sequoia up to speed with the stiff competition.
What’s Good?
- The newly refined powertrain is strong and more fuel-efficient than before
- The Sequoia now feels properly modern and refined with its use of better cabin materials and updated styling inside and out
- A wide range of trims from the luxury-focused Capstone to the off-road-ready TRD Pro offers a little something for everyone
What’s Bad?
- Despite its size, the third row can feel cramped
- The rear seat does not fold flat to make the most room possible for larger cargo
- The new Sequoia does not feel as crisp to drive as rivals like the Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon
Would we buy one? Maybe. Toyota’s improvements to the Sequoia have modernized it enough to legitimately be in contention with the best full-size SUVs on the market, but its price point positions it between its traditional rivals and more truly luxurious offerings. Plus, some rivals offer more usable space inside.
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Overview:
The 2023 model year Sequoia marks the start of its third generation of production. It is built on the same platform as the new-for-2022 Toyota Tundra, Lexus LX600, and Land Cruiser - no longer being sold in the United States. Despite its modernized quality and styling, the Sequoia remains a traditional body-on-frame SUV and still utilizes a solid rear axle. Most of the largest SUVs still utilize body-on-frame construction, so this is not out of place for the class.
The Toyota Sequoia competes with other full-size SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon, Nissan Armada, Ford Expedition, and Jeep Wagoneer. With a rather significant bump in price from the outgoing model, the Sequoia now occupies a unique space in the segment as one of the priciest non-luxury SUVs one can buy - at least, initially.
Tried and true Sequoia lovers might be disappointed that the traditional V8 engine of yesteryear is now gone, but they may also be surprised at the improved specs and feel of the new hybrid powertrain. The Sequoia’s truck-ness has not been lost, but it has been refined and transformed into a much more user-friendly and family-friendly vehicle. Vehicles like the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, and GMC Yukon are formidable rivals, but Toyota has just made the choice between its large SUV and theirs just a little tougher.
The new Sequoia has not yet hit showrooms, but it should be available come the second half of 2022.
Overall Score: 3.75/5 stars
Safety Features: 4/5 stars
At the time of this writing, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash-tested the 2023 Toyota Sequoia. Despite this, the Sequoia is slated to receive a host of standard safety features, all of which will be standard on all trim levels.
Forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam headlights, and rear cross-traffic alert will be standard on all Sequoia models.
Although this list is quite comprehensive for the class, we cannot yet award a higher safety rating for the Sequoia since crash test results are not yet available.
Value: 3/5 stars
With a realistic starting price of over $60,000, the Sequoia will be one of the most expensive offerings in the class. Only the Jeep Wagoneer approaches the Sequoia’s starting MSRP, but there is much to love about that vehicle. It has more passenger and cargo space, it still comes with a V8 engine, it gets good fuel economy for the class, and it can tow more.
With the exception of the Nissan Armada, most competitors’ top-of-the-line models more closely align with the Tundra’s high-end trim levels. The 2022 Ford Expedition’s top trim levels currently match Sequoia’s projected TRD Pro and luxury-oriented Capstone trim levels with a starting MSRP greater than $78,000. This could change for the Expedition’s 2023 model year.
Sequoia’s value makes more sense at its top end. Some of its rivals feature more high-tech features than Sequoia, but the changes made to Sequoia give it some legitimate credibility in the class that it lacked in previous years. Its traditional reliability and high resale value have always helped it in the past, but those factors have yet to be determined from its redesign.
Tech Features: 3.5/5 stars
The best tech upgrade from the outgoing Sequoia is the improved infotainment system. An 8-inch touchscreen display is standard in the base model, but a 14-inch touchscreen comes standard on all other trim levels with the opportunity to upgrade the base trim as well. A Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and a digital gauge cluster.
Other standard tech features include tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, power-operated front seats, LED headlights, a power sunroof, and selectable drive modes.
Optional extras and those features found on higher trim levels include parking sensors, a panoramic sunroof, trailer backup assist, power-folding third-row seats, a hands-free power liftgate, a premium JBL audio system, and heated and ventilated second-row seats.
Practicality: 3.5/5 stars
The added practicality that comes with buying a large SUV is good enough by default to call it a practical vehicle. But compared to others in the class, the Sequoia is not as practical as many of its competitors. This is particularly true when looking at the third row. There is plenty of legroom in the rear seats, but headroom is tight for taller occupants. We can forgive that since most adults will not be utilizing the third row for trips.
However, the third row does not fold flat, hindering cargo space. There are only 12 cubic feet of available space behind the rear seats, and they do not fold flat into the floor, creating a cargo shelf when they are folded as far as they go. This means that competitors are miles ahead of Sequoia in terms of cargo space.
The Sequoia does have a few tricks up its sleeve to help it earn back some practicality points. Flip-forward second-row seats make it easy to access the third row, there is plenty of passenger space in the front and second row, a standard bench seat on some trim levels adds eight-passenger capacity, maximum towing capacity is impressive at over 9,500 pounds, and the optional TRD packages or TRD Pro model adds some serious capability to the big SUV.
Styling & Design: 4.5/5 stars
Styling is subjective, but the 2023 Sequoia looks great. It is not as edgy or sharp as some other Toyota and Lexus models, but it is not subtle either. A boxy design ensures that its buyers know they are getting a truck that can work just as much as it can haul a family. The TRD Pro trim is especially cool with its heritage grille, camo fenders, and visible off-road-focused bits and pieces. On the other side of the spectrum, the luxury Capstone trim is more subtle with chrome trim pieces and more luxurious touches.
The interior is much improved over its predecessor. The cabin has high-quality materials all over, the overall design is clean and simplistic, and it no longer looks like a true working truck. There are some hard touch areas to help preserve frequently touched surfaces and those likely to be trampled or kicked.
Overall, it is a very nice place to be that balances a modern feel with the integrity of good materials that can hold up to a long life of use. The large infotainment screen and digital gauge cluster highlight just how far Toyota has taken the Sequoia from the outgoing model.
Driving Experience: 4/5 stars
As a large SUV, the Sequoia is not designed to be driven like a sports car. That has not prevented Toyota from adding several different selectable modes like “Eco” and “Sport” to help it be all things for all people. Its new powertrain helps it get up and moving very quickly for such a large SUV, and this truck's refined powertrain does an incredible job of mimicing a V8 and all of its rich torque.
Unfortunately, things are a little different in the handling department. It rides much more comfortably than the old Sequoia, but it can only hide the fact that it is still a truck for so long. Corners are met with quite a bit of body roll and overly assisted steering, and the SUV can become unsettled quickly. This is not entirely unexpected as there is only so far that “sport mode” can take a 5,000-pound truck. It also feels much wider than it is, making it seem like a handful at times.
Normal driving comes easy, though. Most who buy the Sequoia will most likely use it for work, family-hauling, and the occasional off-road romp. In these capacities, it is a comfortable cruiser with some surprising get-up-and-go. Its comfortable seats only add to its relative refinement, though rear-seat headroom can get cramped for taller passengers if the panoramic sunroof is equipped.
Fuel Efficiency: 2.5/5 stars
While we loved the power and torque this new powertrain offers, don't buy one expecting it to sip fuel.
The EPA rates the 2WD versions of the Sequoia at 21/24/22 MPG in City/Highway/Combined; four-wheel-drive models drop each of those figures by two MPG: 19/22/20.
Yet our real-world results were much lower. Over 300 miles of testing, we saw 15 MPG combined, and that included a pretty lengthy road trip of highway miles.
Many other competitors in the class like the Nissan Armada, GMC Yukon, Jeep Wagoneer, and Chevrolet Tahoe still utilize V8 engines that are not as efficient. The Tahoe and Yukon are available with turbodiesel engines that lead the class in fuel economy, but they are much less popular among buyers. The Ford expedition utilizes a twin-turbo V6 engine that gets slightly worse fuel economy numbers than those projected for the Sequoia.
What’s it Going to Cost Me?
All Toyota Sequoia models, regardless of trim level, will be powered by the same hybrid powertrain. A twin-turbo V6 engine and an electric motor are paired to a ten-speed automatic transmission to produce 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.
Rear-wheel drive is standard on most trim levels with four-wheel-drive is optional. The exception is the TRD Pro trim on which four-wheel drive is standard.
All Sequoia models will also benefit from standard forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic high-beam headlights, and rear cross-traffic alert.
The base model Toyota Sequoia SR5 will cost $59,795 with the destination fee included. Opting for four-wheel-drive over the base rear-wheel-drive layout will add $3,000 to the price.
An 8-inch touchscreen display, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, digital gauge cluster, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, power-operated front seats, LED headlights, a second-row bench seat, cloth seating, power sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, and selectable drive modes all come standard.
Optional extras like the Premium package, TRD Sport package, and TRD Offroad package can be added to further customize a base model to your specific wants and needs.
The Toyota Sequoia Limited with rear-wheel-drive will cost buyers $66,195 with the destination fee included, and $69,195 with four-wheel-drive.
In addition to the SR5’s standard equipment, the Limited trim benefits from the larger 14-inch touchscreen display, a hands-free power liftgate, a power-folding third-row, window sunshades, synthetic leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The Toyota Sequoia Platinum will set buyers back $72,395 with rear-wheel drive and $75,395 with four-wheel drive, both with the destination fee included.
The Platinum adds sequential turn signals, LED foglights, leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, second-row captain’s chairs, adjustable air suspension, a digital rearview mirror, and wireless device charging
The Toyota Sequoia Capstone starts at $76,795 or $79,795, depending on if you choose rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive. It comes with ambient lighting, 22-inch alloy wheels, front seats with memory functionality, and chrome exterior accents in addition to the equipment from the Platinum.
The Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro is the most unique Sequoia model of the group and its starting price is $78,395 with the $1,495 destination fee included. It has similar standard features as the Platinum trim with unique synthetic leather seating. Some extra special one-off features also make it off-road ready, including standard four-wheel-drive.
It comes with a front skid plate, camo fenders, 33-inch all-terrain tires, a locking rear differential, a terrain management system, Fox shocks, crawl control, TRD-specific running boards, heritage front grille, integrated LED light bar, integrated front grille marker lights, front and rear anti-sway bars, TRD-stitched front seats, and 18-inch forged wheels.
If it were not for the price, we would go with the TRD Pro. It can go offroad and still has the “normal” and “eco” modes that the other models have when it needs to be a daily family hauler. That being said, we would actually pick the Toyota Sequoia Limited and add the TRD Offroad package. That only comes on four-wheel-drive models but adds the 18-inch forged wheels, multi-terrain management system, and the locking differential from the TRD Pro.
