The top dog in the Toyota SUV lineup is no longer the Land Cruiser. The 2023 Toyota Sequoia takes over the flagship position with a new build and a new, high starting price. Does it make sense that Toyota expects us to fork over nearly $60,000 for an SUV? Even if that SUV is a full-size three-row model, that seems pretty steep for a Toyota, but this high price might be justified.

How does the 2023 Toyota Sequoia SUV fare against its direct competition?

Before we can answer this question, we need to know what class the Sequoia belongs to. This SUV is a full-size model and fits perfectly in the same class as the Nissan Armada, Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Ford Expedition.

The Sequoia doesn’t have an extended wheelbase version to match up with the Suburban, Yukon XL, or Expedition Max, so we’ll keep those models in a separate group.

For comparison’s sake, we’ll match the Sequoia with the Ford Expedition, which is generally considered the best full-size SUV in the market.

How does the Toyota Sequoia match up on power?

Every model of this 2023 Toyota SUV uses the same powertrain shared with the Toyota Tundra. This powertrain is the iForce Max hybrid system comprised of a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The power from this system is 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.

Turning to the Ford Expedition, we see a 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 engine that makes 380 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Even the top trim with this engine juiced up a bit only reaches 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, which doesn’t reach the same power level as the Sequoia.

To add a bit more to the mix, the max towing power of the Ford Expedition is 9,3000 pounds, while the Toyota Sequoia tows up to 9,520 pounds. On top of this, the starting price for the Ford SUV is more than $70,000, costing consumers nearly $12,000 more than the Toyota SUV.

Is the Sequoia as safe and comfortable as the Expedition?

When compared together, the Toyota Sequoia and Ford Expedition stand shoulder to shoulder in safety, comfort, and technology. Both have items we desire, including:

• Heated and ventilated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Multi-zone climate controls
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Complete safety package

Does this Toyota SUV give you the off-road chops you need?

Another place to compare the Sequoia and Expedition is off-road equipment and capability. This puts the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro against the Ford Expedition Timberline. In this case, the Sequoia comes out on top again. This Toyota off-road SUV includes:

• 2.5-inch Fox dampers
• CRAWL Control
• Selectable locking rear differential
• Multi-terrain monitor
• Multi-terrain select
• Downhill assist control
• 33-inch Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires

What is the starting price for the 2023 Toyota Sequoia SUV?

The starting prices for each trim of this Toyota SUV are:

• SR5 – $58,300
• Limited – $64,700
• Platinum – $70,900
• TRD Pro – $76,900
• Capstone – $75,300

Is the Sequoia a good SUV to drive?

Yes, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia gives you a refreshed SUV at the top of the lineup to be a worthy replacement for the Land Cruiser. This Toyota SUV proudly carries the brand’s flag.  It shows it’s worth the cost when put against some of the top models in this class.

Next, check out some features you should skip and some you should keep in your vehicle, or watch a cool trick offered in the new Toyota Sequoia in the video below: