For many years, the Toyota Sequoia has been a full-size SUV that lived in the shadow of the Land Cruiser. With that model gone from the U. S. market, the Sequoia is now king of the castle and the largest Toyota SUV model we can buy. If you weren’t familiar with what this impressive vehicle brought to the market already, it’s time to get to know 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 straight. The Sequoia is not the same SUV as the Land Cruiser. The two SUVs have occupied much of the same space for many years.  The Sequoia has always been the smaller and downmarket sibling to the Land Cruiser. Many of the standard features offered on previous Land Cruiser models were only obtained in the Toyota Sequoia by selecting one of the higher trim levels.

1. The Sequoia is a hybrid SUV

Every version of the 2023 model of this Toyota SUV uses a hybrid engine. That doesn’t mean you’ll have Prius plodding to deal with during your drive. The twin-turbocharged V6 i-Force Max powertrain gives you the power you’re looking for in a strong SUV. Toyota tells us this powertrain delivers 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque. You’ll find a ten-speed automatic transmission for the shifting and enjoy the ability to tow up to 9,000 pounds.

2. Speaking of towing, this Toyota makes it easier

Not only do you see a 22% increase in the towing capacity of the 2023 Sequoia versus 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 needed to get the trailer moving more easily. The Panoramic View Monitor shows a top-down view of the vehicle and surrounding area to make it easier to put the trailer where you want.

3. The Toyota Sequoia has an adjustable cargo area

The Sequoia’s passenger and cargo area is called an Adjustable Cargo Shelf System. This is a fancy way of saying you can adjust the vehicle’s rear area for whatever your needs are. 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 carry.

4. Experience the ruggedness of the TRD Off-Road Package

 When you want your Toyota Sequoia to look and feel like an off-road SUV, you’ll want the all-new TRD Off-Road Package. The SR5 and Limited models with 4WD are eligible for this package, and it features:

• Bilstein monotube shocks
• TRD-tuned springs
• Downhill Assist Control
• Crawl Control
• Off-road cruise control
• Multi-Terrain Select
• Electronically locking rear differential
• Multi-Terrain Monitor
• Red front axle driveshaft
• Aluminum gas/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 a crash, but you also want it to prevent a crash if possible. The standard Toyota Safety Sense Package includes:

• Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Lane Tracing Assist
• Emergency Steering Assist
• Blind-Spot Monitor
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Front and Rear Parking Assis with Automatic Braking

Is the Toyota Sequoia reliable?

According to Repair Pal, this Toyota SUV ranks above-average for reliability. The score of 3.5 out of 5.0 places it fifth among full-size SUVs. You can trust the Sequoia to give you the drive you want and keep you out of the repair shop.

What are the pros and cons of this Toyota SUV?

According to Kelley Blue Book:

Pros

• Spacious
• Hybrid drivetrain
• Impressive towing ability
• Sliding third-row seat

Cons

• Higher trims become pricey
• Acoustic front side glass only offered in the top model

How much is the new Toyota Sequoia?

The starting price for the 2023 Toyota Sequoia SUV is a little more than $50,000, with the top Capstone trim coming in at around $71,000. Comparatively, the Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Nissan Armada begin at nearly the same price, putting the Sequoia in the right pricing ballpark.

Next, check out the tech of the upcoming Toyota Grand Highlander, or learn more about the 2023 Toyota Sequoia in this video below:

This article was updated on 3/3/2023.