Toyota’s full-size, three-row SUV enters its third technology this week with the debut of the 2023 Sequoia. Primarily based on the identical body-on-frame platform because the 2022 Toyota Tundra and Land Cruiser, the brand new Sequoia hits the street with a daring new look, hybrid energy and a brand new, luxurious Capstone trim stage on the high of the lineup.

Daring 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 a lot better with a extra conservative grille remedy 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.

General, I am not recoiling from the Sequoia in the identical means I initially did upon assembly the Tundra, and I am 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, but it surely seems 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 Restricted 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 would not embody particulars for passenger or cargo capability, however we’ll replace this area when the numbers are printed. 

Normal i-Power Max Hybrid

The Sequoia comes commonplace with Toyota’s new i-Power 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 means by way of a two-speed switch case to both the rear wheels or an obtainable 4WDemand part-time 4WD system. The hybrid powerplant elevates the Sequoia’s towing capability to 9,000 kilos, however also needs to boast an enormous gas economic system enchancment over the earlier technology. Last miles-per-gallon estimates have not been acknowledged, but it surely should not be too onerous to beat at the moment’s 15 mpg mixed.

Drivers will have the ability to customise the Sequoia’s efficiency with Eco, Regular, Sport and Tow/Haul settings for the brand new Drive Mode Choose system, adjusting the electrical motor’s habits. When outfitted with both the Load-Leveling Rear Peak Management Air Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension choices, Consolation and Sport Plus suspension settings additionally unlock. An optionally available Tow Tech Package deal can also be obtainable, rolling within the automaker’s Trailer Backup Information and Straight Path Help options.

Massive-screen tech

The Sequoia’s huge dashboard includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, however is dominated by an appropriately huge 14-inch show that is commonplace on Restricted and up trims or as an optionally available improve for the bottom SR5 mannequin’s commonplace 8-inch display screen. Both means you go, wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are additionally commonplace, as is Toyota’s new Clever Assistant that permits you to give voice instructions by saying, “Hey, Toyota.” The brand new tech additionally includes a 4G information connection (by way of subscription) that powers a Wi-Fi hotspot, offers over-the-air updates for its cloud-based navigation with Google point-of-interest information and permits native Apple Music and Amazon Music streaming.

On the security facet, all 2023 Sequoia fashions will come commonplace with Toyota Security Sense 2.5 driver assist suite, which implies dynamic radar cruise management, lane tracing help, computerized excessive beams and a sophisticated precollision braking system with pedestrian and bicycle owner detection, in addition to detection of oncoming site 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.

Probably the most luxurious Sequoia but

New Sequoia consumers can have 5 grades to select from, together with the bottom SR5, the extra feature-rich Restricted and extra luxurious Platinum fashions. On the high of the road is the brand new Capstone trim, which Toyota calls essentially the most luxurious Sequoia thus far. It is nigh absolutely loaded and outfitted with chrome accents, commonplace 22-inch chrome wheels, energy operating 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 street and wind noise.

TRD Sport, Off-Street and Professional

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 crushed path.

SR5 fashions might 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-Street bundle is on the market to SR5 and Restricted 4×4 fashions. Checking this field provides a locking rear differential, 18-inch alloy wheels, Bilstein/TRD monotube dampers and is derived and a pink entrance axle driveshaft, as a result of a little bit extra bling by no means harm anyone. Multi-Terrain Choose, Crawl Management, Downhill Help Management add a lot wanted management and sure-footedness on the path, whereas a Multi-Terrain Monitor is added to assist drivers exactly navigate obstacles.

Probably the most “adventure-minded” Sequoia providing is the TRD Professional, which isn’t only a bundle, however a complete trim stage unto itself. The Professional 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 Professional additionally comes commonplace with a roof rack, a Toyota heritage grille with marker lights and an embedded mild bar and, just like the Off-Street equipment, additionally includes a lockable rear differential and Toyota’s varied path management and help programs.

Summer time 2022 availability

It is about time Toyota received 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 time. 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 seemingly stretching the higher limits of that envelope.