For many years, the Toyota Sequoia was a full-size SUV that lived in the shadow of the Land Cruiser. With this model gone from the American market, the Sequoia is now the king of the castle and the largest Toyota SUV model we can buy. If you didn’t already know what this impressive vehicle brought to the market, it’s time to find out what it has to offer.
Is the Toyota Sequoia the same as the Land Cruiser?
Before we get into our five things, let’s get something clear. The Sequoia is not the same SUV as the Land Cruiser. Both SUVs have occupied much of the same space for many years. The Sequoia has always been the Land Cruiser’s smaller, lower-end sibling. Many standard features offered on previous Land Cruiser models were only achieved in the Toyota Sequoia by selecting one of the higher trim levels.
1. The Sequoia is a hybrid SUV
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Every version of the 2023 model of this Toyota SUV uses a hybrid engine. That doesn’t mean you’ll have to deal with the Prius on your ride. The twin-turbocharged i-Force Max V6 powertrain gives you the power you’re looking for in a powerful SUV. According to Toyota, this powertrain delivers 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft. of torque. You’ll find a ten-speed automatic transmission for shifting and enjoy the ability to tow up to 9,000 pounds.
2. Speaking of towing, this Toyota makes it easy
Not only do you see a 22% increase in towing capacity in the 2023 Sequoia over the 2022 version, but you have a Tow/Haul mode included. This new feature engages the electric and gas motors to ensure you have the power to move the trailer along more easily. Surround View Monitor displays a top-down view of the vehicle and surrounding area to make it easy to place the trailer where you want it.
3. The Toyota Sequoia has an adjustable cargo area
The Sequoia’s passenger and cargo area is called the Adjustable Cargo Shelf System. It’s a fancy way of saying that you can adjust the rear area of the vehicle to suit your needs. The third-row seat slides up to six inches forward and back to give you enough room for eight people or a large amount of cargo you’ll be hauling.
4. Experience the toughness of the TRD off-road package
If you want your Toyota Sequoia to look like an off-road SUV, you’ll want the all-new TRD Off-Road Package. SR5 and Limited models with 4WD are eligible for this package, and it includes:
- Bilstein monotube shock absorbers
- TRD springs
- Downhill Assist Control
- Crawl control
- Off-road cruise control
- Multi-Terrain Selection
- Electronic locking rear differential
- Multi-terrain monitor
- Red front axle driveshaft
- Aluminum accelerator/brake pedals
- 18 inch alloy wheels
5. The Toyota Safety Sense package is standard on this Toyota SUV
You want your Sequoia to protect you in the event of an accident, but you also want it to prevent an accident if possible. The standard Toyota Safety Sense package includes:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Lane keeping assistant
- Emergency steering assistance
- blind spot monitor
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Front and rear park assist with automatic braking
Is the Toyota Sequoia reliable?
According to repair friend, this Toyota SUV ranks above average in terms of reliability. The 3.5 out of 5.0 rating ranks it fifth among full-size SUVs. You can trust the Sequoia to give you the ride you want and keep you out of the repair shop.
What are the pros and cons of this Toyota SUV?
According to Kelley’s Blue Book:
Benefits
- Spacious
- Hybrid drive
- Impressive towing capacity
- Sliding third row seat
The inconvenients
- Higher versions get expensive
- Acoustic front glass only offered in the premium model
How much does the new Toyota Sequoia cost?
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The starting price of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia SUV is just over $50,000, with the top capstone trim coming in at around $71,000. Comparatively, the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Nissan Armada start at about the same price, which puts the Sequoia in the right price range.
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