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Get These Cars at 0% APR Right Now2020 Toyota Sequoia Review: Powerful But Dated
Learn from our experts about the 2020 Toyota Sequoia, and the powertrains and trim levels available from Toyota’s biggest SUV.
What’s new in the 2020 Toyota Sequoia?
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia offers a couple of major updates for two different crowds. First, Toyota has elected to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard in the Sequoia. The two tech features offer a connection to your smartphone that makes your phone, navigation, and streaming apps, among others, much more accessible from your smartphone while on the road. While car buyers can still get built in navigation, a smartphone with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto can make getting directions easier and more affordable.
Toyota also added a new trim – and whole new abilities with the addition of the TRD Pro package. TRD makes the Sequoia much more off-road capable and was previously introduced on the Tacoma and 4Runner.
2020 Toyota Sequoia – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2020 Toyota Sequoia on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Standard Toyota Safety Sense features
Comfortable third row
Fast, powerful 8-cylinder engine
Tight turning radius for a truck body
Outdated interior
Drives like a truck
More expensive than in-class competitors
Needs better infotainment for this high price
2020 Sequoia Specs
- 381 horsepower from base engine
- 401 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 120 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 18.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Up to 7,100-lb towing capacity
- Available 14 speaker JBL audio system
- Automatic braking and blind spot monitors
2020 Toyota Sequoia Powertrain
While Toyota makes a 6-cylinder engine available for their trucks, they put only the 381hp 8-cylinder engine with 401 lb-ft of torque in the 2020 Toyota Sequoia. Needless to say, the 2020 Toyota Sequoia has plenty of power when towing or with a full fleet of passengers in the backseat. Toyota also enhances the Sequoia with both a Sport driving mode and a towing mode to change the 6-speed automatic transmission for both kinds of driving. The addition of a performance exhaust also makes the engine sound extra vocal, in a positive way. Toyota ensures that the highway acceleration is adequate and punchy, even without a turbo.
The Sequoia does have an independent rear suspension which makes the ride more comfortable. The suspension makes the Sequoia more comfortable than the average truck, though it doesn’t quite offer the same cloud like ride as the Suburban or Yukon.
We’ll get into more specific trim levels later, but you can add FOX shocks to the TRD, which adds serious off-road performance to the 2020 Toyota Sequoia. Read more about automotive suspensions here.
Towing & Payload
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia can tow up to 7,400 lbs with a bed payload of around 1,300 lbs. Drivers can also engage the tow and haul mode to keep the RPMs high and gear low for an enhanced throttle response even while moving lots of weight. For drivers who are seeking a blend of relative comfort, a powerful engine, and some towing capacity, the 2020 Toyota Sequoia might be a good idea
You’ll just have to keep in mind that the 2020 Toyota Sequoia doesn’t tow as much as other competitors. The 2020 GMC Yukon can pull up to 8,400lbs while the Ford Expedition can haul even more at up to 9,300lbs.
2020 Toyota Sequoia Fuel Economy & MPG
While the 2020 Toyota Sequoia’s engine is very strong, it comes at a cost. The average MPG of 13 city or 17 highway makes it among the worst for in-class competitors, especially compared to the 2020 Ford Expedition which we review here. Drive it aggressively and you’ll get even less.
While the 2020 Toyota Sequoia’s engine is very strong, it comes at a cost. The average MPG of 13 city or 17 highway makes it among the worst for in-class competitors, especially compared to the 2020 Ford Expedition which we review here. Drive it aggressively and you’ll get even less.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The interior offers plenty of space for passengers at all levels. The lower trim levels offer seating for up to 8 with a folding second row seat, while the upper trim levels have captain’s chairs for easy passage for adults and kids to the spacious 3rd row. For a vehicle built with a truck body, you get lots of space. We wouldn’t mind bringing adults and kids on a road trip in a Sequoia.
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia is best for people who want basic comforts though. Toyota doesn’t include a heated steering wheel or overt touches that really stand out, like the Yukon. You also don’t get the option of extra space like the Yukon XL offers with a longer trunk space, but the single length offered by the Sequoia will still be adequate for people who don’t plan to stuff their strollers, groceries, and luggage in.
The Sequoia seats have the option of leather or cloth, both of which are comfortable enough for all passengers.
Entertainment & Technology
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia’s infotainment package alone isn’t our favorite. The 7” touchscreen looked small on the huge dashboard for the truck and SUV mix. Toyota recesses the system too much and makes it difficult to reach and see. Other trucks and SUVs, like the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban which we review here, make the touchscreen more available to the driver.
One redeeming quality here is that Toyota has finally included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. To simplify what these smartphone-based features do, in many cases you’ll be able to choose music, phone calls, and navigation just using your voice. This offers a slight improvement in ease of use for the infotainment system, though the big buttons are easy to see and find.
Safety Features
Here’s where we start to really rave about the 2020 Toyota Sequoia. They included many of the standard features from Toyota’s Safety Sense technology, and it’ll definitely make you feel safe. Better yet, you get automatic braking for collision avoidance, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more – at the base MSRP. While it feels like the base MSRP is higher than average, getting all these extras for the price shows that Toyota cares about safety more than making every bit of the cabin spruced up, which can be a good idea for families.
2020 Toyota Sequoia Trims & Pricing
SR5 – $51,995
The base trim gets cloth seats, a standard power moonroof, optional leather, and power folding rear seats. Along with the safety features that come even on basic trims, the SR5 has a balance between space with seating for up to 8, and value based basics.
TRD Sport – $54,710
The TRD has an important distinction compared to other trims, with available RWD or 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts will also enjoy Bilstein dampers and a more stiff suspension meant for work or play off the main roads. Cloth is still standard and the seating in a TRD sport is down to seven.
Limited – $61,015
The Limited edition of the 2020 Toyota Sequoia now has leather appointed seats standard, along with extra power adjustments for comfier seating. A Limited buyer also gets navigation standard, especially great for people who don’t want to rely on their phones, and either a 12-speaker sound system or a 14-speaker sound system.
TRD Pro – $66,120
TRD is a special trim available only in 4WD and the ability to tow 7,100lbs. You also get a specialized front and rear coil double wishbone suspension that makes for a better off-road ride. FOX shock absorbers help too. The inside gets standard red stitched leather, which looks sharp. Fog lights give the TRD Pro buyer the ability to see in more strained conditions.
Platinum $68,045
A fully loaded Platinum 2020 Toyota Sequoia has plenty. You get the option to add heated and ventilated seats for all weather. The suspension includes adaptive air for a smooth ride. Your rear seat passengers can enjoy a Blu-Ray DVD player with a nine-inch screen, which is curiously larger than the main infotainment screen. The towing capacity is slightly lower than higher end trims at 7,000lbs for a 4WD.
Warranties
The Sequoia gets the standard Toyota warranty, which includes a 3-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty. You also get a 5-year, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty which covers the most important parts of the vehicle like the engine and transmission.
What we think
2020 Toyota Sequoia – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2020 Toyota Sequoia on Carsforsale.com
The Toyota Sequoia has a few things going for it. First, you get lots of safety features standard, which is the envy of truck owners in the same MSRP range. While the interior is a bit dated, some buyers might be able to shrug it off and consider it a good option for its balance of towing, power, and comfort. While there are longer and more spacious options available, competing models like the Yukon XL aren’t as loaded or off-road capable for the same price. If we were going to choose a trim level to purchase, we would target the SR5 for its outstanding combination of leather or cloth, safety features, and power.
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