2023 Toyota Sequoia benefits from the Tundra’s best assets
It’s been 14 years since Toyota offered a new Toyota Sequoia. Given its long life with little change, you can be forgiven if you forgot the model even existed. But with the Land Cruiser leaving the American market, the Sequoia now takes on its role as Toyota’s largest and most capable SUV in its U.S. lineup.
Thankfully, it’s been completely redesigned for 2023, and as before, its mechanicals are borrowed from the fullsize Toyota Tundra pickup. Of course, the Sequoia’s lack of change resulted from the Tundra’s lack of change, being as they share mechanicals. Once a new Tundra debuted, it was only a matter of time until a new Sequoia arrived.
Given that Toyota had nearly a decade-and-ahalf to come up with the next one, you’d be right in assuming that they were going to do something different for the new model, and they have. The 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a gas-electric hybrid, one of four hybrid-only models now sold by Toyota.
It uses the same iForce Max hybrid powertrain that’s used in the Tundra: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6
paired with an electric motor and 10-speed automatic transmission.
It wears a face that takes its cues from the Tundra pickup, lending it a far more modern appearance than the previous model. But you’ll notice detail differences among the different trim levels, which start with the entry-level SR5 and ascend through Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and Capstone.
Load the Sequoia’s three rows and there’s less than 12 cubic feet of cargo space. Then there’s the second row, which gets less than 40 inches of legroom; it just feels tight for such
a big vehicle. You’ll also find headroom to be tight as well. Thoughtfully, the third row slides fore or aft by up to 6 inches to give you flexibility for carrying people or cargo.
As is common, to trim levels are very opulent for a mainstream vehicle, with the capstone benefiting from semi-aniline leather with contrast stitching, American walnut veneer and heated and ventilated front and rear seats. The truck’s generous width allows for a wide center console with plenty of space for any number of items. Toyota’s new infotainment interface, designed in America, boasts a clear, logical design that’s a refreshing change from its previously cumbersome design.
When you hit the road, you’ll find that the Sequoia is really, really wide, although it’s no different in this regard from its domestic competitors. But the Sequoia’s light steering makes herding it into a lane a constant chore. In contrast, the engine proves to be a pleasant surprise here.
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a huge improvement from the outgoing model, although it’s not at the head of its class.
Still, it’s good enough to meet most Toyota buyers’ expectations.