2023 Toyota Sequoia Review
2023 Toyota Sequoia is completely redesigned. We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
2023 Toyota Sequoia – toyota.com | Shop Toyota Sequoia on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2023 Toyota Sequoia?
Everything is new about the 2023 Sequoia from the chassis to the drivetrain to the interior design. Structurally, it’s closely related to the new Lexus LX600 and the new Tundra pickup truck.
The Breakdown
Excellent powertrain
Comfortable ride
Sincere off-road skills
Dull handling
Third row is tight
Wind noise concerns
An extra engine choice would be great
2023 Toyota Specs
- 437 horsepower from base engine
- 583 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 5 available trims
- 11.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 86.9 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- Towing capacity of 9,520 lbs
- Huge 14-inch infotainment screen
- Standard lane-keep assist
- 2-year free maintenance
2023 Toyota Sequoia Powertrain
Under the hood of every 2023, Toyota Sequoia will be a hybrid V6 that the brand calls iForce MAX. It’s factory rated at 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Solid numbers for sure and it sends that power to the rear wheels or all four via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
This same powertrain is used to excellent effect in the new Tundra and it’s even more at home in this slightly smaller package. It’s a dramatic improvement over the outgoing model.
At no point do we expect a new Sequoia owner to feel like they are lacking in power but handling complaints might be more regular. This large SUV struggles to change directions without some old-school body roll which is made all the more evident due to somewhat numb steering. It bobs up and down a little more than we expected as you come to rest at stop signs and stop lights too.
We hoped that the Sport or the Sport+ (Yes, somehow that’s a thing in the Sequoia) would improve handling but alas, they did not. Those who want a more engaging driving experience can find it in offers from General Motors like the Suburban or the Yukon.
Towing & Payload
The new Sequoia is near the top of its field with a towing capacity of 9,520 pounds when properly equipped. Lots of full-sized SUVs in this class have truck DNA in their design but this Toyota takes full advantage of it. Upper trim levels also have a load-leveling function for when the trailer you’re towing is really heavy. We expect those who haul regularly to favor this model over others.
2023 Toyota Sequoia Fuel Economy & MPG
We have yet to get an official EPA estimate on fuel economy for the Sequoia but we have some other data to consider. The Tundra gets up to 20 mpg in the city and 24 on the highway so we expect the Sequoia to fare better. It might not reach our estimates of 22 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway but we’re optimistic.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
The new interior of the Sequoia is spacious, luxurious, and well built. The front row is especially impressive thanks to supportive and comfortable seats, excellent trim finish, and a command-center-esque console. The second row comes as a bench seat in most trims but captain’s chairs are also available. The third row also comes standard and is exclusively a three-seat bench.
While we really like the spacious front seats, the second and third rows do lack the headroom of other rivals in this segment.
Additionally, the third row doesn’t fold flat when stowed and there’s only 12 cubic feet worth of storage behind it so pack light if you’re transporting enough people to fill all the seats. Finally, the only real concern we found going down the road was the lack of insulation from the road and wind noise. We don’t expect bank vault levels of quiet but those sounds were louder in the Sequoia than they would’ve been in something like a Ford Expedition MAX.
Entertainment & Technology
While it might not be as expansive or vast as Mercedes-Benz’s new Hyperscreen, the 14-inch infotainment system in the new Sequoia is impressively large and highly functional. The base SR5 trim actually comes standard with an 8-inch unit but the bigger one is optional and we suspect most will have it. The user interface is incredibly easy to use and the addition of big chunky buttons for the climate control system is a smart move too. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both standard features.
The screen itself is very fast to react and the only issue we found is that you can’t use more than one feature at a time. Splitting the screen between different functions should be normal on something this big but it’s not available in the Sequoia. There’s also a big digital gauge cluster too but we also wish it was better too. We’re happy that it’s digital but that’s almost pointless since only the left side is configurable.
Safety Features
Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has released scores related to safety in the Sequoia. While we wait on those we’re happy to point out that every Sequoia comes with a lot of advanced driver assistance features. They include adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision mitigation, and more.
2023 Toyota Sequoia Trims & Pricing
SR5 – $59,795
The base Sequoia comes with the twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid engine detailed above along with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. In addition, it gets 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, cloth upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment system, and eight speakers. Every Sequoia comes with the advanced driver aids mentioned above along with parking sensors, lane departure mitigation, and blind spot monitoring.
Limited – $66,195
The Limited trim gets 20-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, sunshades for the back rows, the 14-inch infotainment system, a power-folding third row, a hands-free liftgate, and faux leather upholstery.
Platinum – $72,395
Step up to the Platinum and you’ll get automatic wipers, a panoramic sunroof, a power-adjustable steering wheel, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, black wheels, a wireless charging pad, and a 14-speaker JBL audio system.
Capstone – $76,795
Technically, the Capstone is at the top of the trim lineup but it starts at a lower price than the TRD Pro. With it, you get 22-inch wheels, sound-reducing front side glass, upgraded leather upholstery, a heads-up display, real wood trim, and power running boards.
TRD Pro – $78,395
The off-road-focused Sequoia gets 18-inch wheels with 33-inch AT tires, auto-leveling headlights, a front skid plate, Fox internal bypass shocks, dual exhaust tips, second-row captain’s chairs, black fender flares, and a wireless charging pad.
Warranties
The Sequoia comes with a three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty and it’s backed up by a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. That’s typically the base warranty package that most in this segment offer. What makes the Sequoia special is that it also comes with two years or 25,000 miles of complimentary maintenance.
What we think
2023 Toyota Sequoia – toyota.com | Shop Toyota Sequoia on Carsforsale.com
We’ve waited for a replacement for the Sequoia for a long time and we can confidently say that this new model is a huge improvement. Not only is it more modern in every way but it’s also more capable in every way and adds practicality in the form of space, towing capacity, and fuel economy.
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia is certainly not a perfect SUV and still lags behind others with regard to noise level and agility but it’s worth consideration if you’re shopping for a do-it-all family SUV.
