First Drive: 2023 Toyota Sequoia

With the demise of the outdated Toyota Land Cruiser, the Sequoia turns into the model’s largest and most succesful SUV. The excellent news for potential consumers is the full-size mannequin has gone via a whole makeover for 2023, with a lot of its underpinnings borrowed from the Toyota Tundra pickup — which not too long ago went via its personal main replace.

Some of the important developments is the change to Toyota’s extremely succesful iForce Max hybrid powertrain. It delivers improved efficiency, in addition to a giant bump in gasoline financial system — one thing prone to matter to full-size SUV consumers at a time when gasoline costs are setting one new document after one other.

To get a really feel for the 2023 Toyota Sequoia, I headed right down to Dallas for a day behind the wheel, clocking loads of mileage each on and off the street.

Overview

The third-generation Sequoia will get a whole, ground-up makeover in step with the expanded function the utility car will play within the Toyota line-up. It now will function the model’s SUV flagship, what with the demise of the aforementioned Land Cruiser.

Patrons may have extra choices to select from with the launch of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia, together with a brand new premium version, the Capstone. A Sequoia TRD Professional package deal would be the different for these searching for actual off-road capabilities.

For these U.S. consumers who may lament the lack of the Land Cruiser, the excellent news is that the 2023 Sequoia shares the identical underpinnings because the redesigned Land Cruiser bought in abroad markets. With minor modifications, the body-on-frame platform additionally underpins the brand new Lexus LX 600, in addition to the utterly up to date 2022 Toyota Tundra pickup.

And, just like the Tundra, the 2023 Sequoia will get the automaker’s new iForce Max hybrid drivetrain. It’s no Prius, nevertheless it’s anticipated to yield considerably higher gasoline financial system than the outdated SUV managed.

Toyota contends that is one robust beast — because it says in an Easter egg you’ll discover on the base of the windshield. For individuals who know Morse code, it’s a collection a dots and dashes spelling out “Badass Vehicles.”

Exterior

The brand new Sequoia measures in at 208.1 inches in total size, with a wheelbase of 122 inches, a width of 79.6 inches and a peak starting from 74.2 to 77.7 inches, relying upon trim. Floor clearance additionally varies by mannequin — and by drivetrain. With 4×2 packages, it’s 8.6 inches. The 4×4 packages have a clearance of 8.7 inches, besides the 4×4-only Sequoia TRD Professional the place it’s 9.1 inches.

When you’ve seen the brand new Toyota Tundra, the 2023 Sequoia ought to appear acquainted since they share not solely the underlying body-on-frame chassis but in addition their doorways, entrance quarter panels and hood.

The appears to be like of the 2023 Sequoia gained’t come as a shock to earlier homeowners. It provides a extra basic SUV form than crossover-based Toyota fashions, such because the Highlander. But it surely does ship a bit extra of a contemporary, streamlined look than the outgoing Sequoia, capped by a extra huge grille and headlamps that movement into the entrance quarter panels.

There are refined variations within the entrance finish of every totally different package deal, most readily seen with their grille finishes. The highest-of-the-line Sequoia Capstone will get a chrome-accented mesh grille and likewise options distinctive entrance lighting, chrome-plated mirror caps, auto-deploying energy working boards and 22-inch darkish chrome machine-finished alloy wheels.

The TRD Professional, on the different excessive, provides a grille-mounted gentle bar and underbody safety. And its nostril and rear finish journey greater to make it simpler to take to the paths. It doesn’t get the complete 1.5-inch carry of the Tundra TRD Professional. However the brand new Sequoia boasts a 23-degree strategy angle and a 20-degree departure angle.

Inside

Accessible solely in a three-row configuration, Sequoia is available in a seven-passenger package deal or, with a mid-row bench, room for eight. The again row, by the way, can slide fore or aft by as much as 6 inches.

Based on Toyota, cargo area was the commonest grievance lodged by prior-generation Sequoia homeowners. The brand new structure bumps that as much as 22.3 cubic ft behind the third row, with a most 86.9 cf with the again and center rows folded down. One other plus is the brand new adjustable cargo shelf system which makes it straightforward to stack baggage or different items. When not in use, the shelving folds flat atop the primary load flooring.

As has grow to be the norm within the full-size SUV market, the 2023 Sequoia strikes a bit extra up-market, even in base SR5 trim. However nowhere is that extra obvious than with the Capstone version. It provides semi-aniline seating with distinction stitching and heated and ventilated entrance and rear seats. It’s accomplished up in American walnut veneer and provides an array of applied sciences, together with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-inch head-up show and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen with Toyota’s newest multimedia interface.

Decrease trim packages function an 8-inch touchscreen with a extra primary infotainment interface.

Powertrain

With the launch of the 2023 makeover, Sequoia turns into the fourth Toyota mannequin provided solely with a hybrid drivetrain. However that is no Prius. The iForce Max is shared with the most recent model of the Toyota Tundra — the place it’s the strongest engine possibility.

The iForce Max pairs a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 with an electrical motor to ship 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Energy is directed via a 10-speed computerized and consumers get a alternative of rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive — the latter obtainable as a $3,000 possibility. (The exception is the TRD Professional mannequin which is obtainable solely as a 4×4.)

The drivetrain packs a hefty wallop and, amongst different issues, can deal with a trailer of as much as 9,520 kilos, relying on the trim package deal.

Relying upon the package deal, the brand new Sequoia contains a 2-speed switch case and both an computerized or electronically managed limited-slip differrential (e-LSD).

Toyota doesn’t plan to launch EPA mileage numbers till nearer to the brand new Sequoia’s on-sale date this coming autumn. However it’s extensively anticipated to ship at the very least 20 mpg mixed. The outgoing mannequin managed a mere 13 mpg metropolis, 17 freeway and 14 mixed. Throughout my very own drive I managed to get about 19 mpg.

Security and Know-how

Base Sequoias include an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The upgraded 14-inch infotainment system — customary on Capstone and different premium packages — options the brand new Toyota Audio Multimedia interface with its Amazon Alexa-style voice assistant. Merely say, “Hey, Toyota,” and it responds to plain English instructions.

Wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto, wi-fi Qi smartphone charging and a WiFi hotspot additionally can be found — and customary on the Capstone.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia additionally provides lively cruise management and the Toyota Security Sense 2.5 suite of superior driver help methods, relying upon trim.

Driving Impressions

I spent a protracted day behind the wheel of a number of totally different Sequoia fashions, beginning out with the Capstone version, which I drove from Toyota’s suburban Dallas headquarters to the Eagle Canyon Raceway almost 60 miles to the west.

The iForce Max is a formidable drivetrain providing loads of grunt, particularly when making an attempt to maintain up with fast-moving Texas freeway visitors. It’s greater than able to making a simple 90-mile per hour move, the hybrid V-6 issuing a menacing exhaust rumble. At cruising speeds you may overlook you’re in a high-riding SUV, particularly within the Capstone which provides acoustic noise-reducing glass.

Out in cattle nation I had the prospect to hitch a 2023 Toyota Sequoia Restricted as much as a 5,000-pound Airstream trailer. The hybrid drivetrain had no bother maintaining with visitors. However the Sequoia suffered from a shocking quantity of trailer sway, regardless of its anti-sway function. It proved the one severe grievance I had all day.

On the plus aspect, the Sequoia I drove featured a number of cameras and different options that made it simpler to hitch up and again up a trailer as huge because the Airstream.

My day wrapped up with a run on the observe’s again 40, arrange with a reasonably difficult off-road course. There, a TRD Professional made little one’s play of uneven surfaces, in addition to a rock climb and a water hazard. I used to be notably impressed with the best way the e-LSD and suspension stored the SUV pointed in the proper route, even when flogging it on a good, high-speed filth path.

2023 Toyota Sequoia Specs

Wrap Up

There’s a giant marketplace for full-size SUVs on the market, and Toyota is clearly hoping to make the most of it with the launch of the 2023 Sequoia. It’s a giant enchancment over the outgoing mannequin, with only some issues to grouse about. It options extra energy, extra towing capability, improved gasoline financial system, extra creature comforts and a few spectacular expertise.

Toyota is betting it will assist it triple latest gross sales, albeit from a small base. The outdated Sequoia merely sat round too lengthy with too little in the best way of updates.

Whether or not it will possibly stay as much as these excessive hopes stays to be seen. The 2023 makeover goes up in opposition to some robust competitors just like the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the Ford Expedition in addition to the brand new Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer fashions — the latter pair provided in each customary and prolonged size.

Toyota additionally will probably be asking consumers to cough up much more money. The bottom 2023 SR5 now begins at $58,300 — earlier than supply charges — in contrast with $50,500 for the outgoing mannequin. Add to that $3,000 for the 4×4 package deal. The Capstone is available in at $75,300. In fact, you get much more on your cash with the brand new Sequoia.

Search for the massive SUV to begin rolling into showrooms this coming autumn. However you might need to look onerous to seek out one you should purchase. With the continued semiconductor scarcity, Toyota sellers have virtually no stock in inventory and that isn’t probably to enhance a lot till nicely into 2023.

2023 Toyota Sequoia — Incessantly Requested Questions

Source link