Because the above photograph will attest, Autoblog’s Superior Institute for Baggage Testing has moved, expensive readers. Not will I would like to fret about capturing within the rain or worrying about my frozen fingers being smashed by luggage through the winter in Portland. As a substitute, I will want to fret about blazing warmth at 8:30 within the morning or catching on hearth, as we have relocated to Southern California. This is not the everlasting spot (the brand new home, I imply Institute, is being renovated), however don’t be concerned, I made certain that the trusty assortment of luggage stayed with me. Priorities, eh?
Anyway, let’s discuss concerning the 2023 Toyota Sequoia, as a result of it certain is an attention-grabbing check case. All-new for the primary time since George W. Bush was president, the Sequoia’s cargo scenario is really distinctive, and never essentially in a great way. The specs say there may be between 11.5 and 22.3 cubic-feet of house behind the raised third row. What’s up with the vary quite than a single quantity? The Sequoia uniquely has a sliding third-row seat, which is a commendable characteristic in idea. Bother is, you need to slide all of it the best way ahead to attain that most 22.3 quantity. You must do no such factor within the Sequoia’s American rivals to attain comparable on-paper cargo volumes: Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon (25.5), Ford Expedition (19.3) and Jeep Wagoneer (27.4). The Sequoia’s minimal quantity, 11.5 cubic-feet, would theoretically be worse than a Kia Sorento, which might be pathetic.
Alas, the Superior Institute for Baggage Testing exists for a purpose: Numbers do not actually inform the entire story. And barely has that been extra true than with the 2023 Toyota Sequoia.
That is what you are working with when the third row is slid all the best way again. You will want to do that to attain first rate, adult-OK legroom within the third-row. The entire above American rivals nonetheless have extra room, although, together with way more headroom.
Above is the vary of movement for the sliding third-row seat. Understand that the second-row captain’s chairs don’t slide, that means you may’t transfer them as much as counter the misplaced third-row legroom.
I set the third row to a distance the place a small-to-average-sized individual may comfortably sit there. You’ll be able to see the distinction above between that distance in addition to the utmost rearward place. I examined with each seats at this center distance in addition to with the seats absolutely rearward.
Now, much more housekeeping, as a result of once more, this factor is bizarre. There’s a detachable flooring that may be positioned at 4 ranges: backside, decrease, center and higher.
There are additionally three movable plastic dividers that slot into the, um, basement, to safe groceries and such. It is a good characteristic, truly.
To maximise house, I removed them, although. I additionally ejected the ground to liberate just a few valuable centimeters of house I knew I would want. The entire following baggage testing was achieved with out this flooring in place on the backside. The luggage sat on the plastic basement.
As in each baggage check I do, I exploit two midsize curler suitcases that will should be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 vast, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embody my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
That is with the third row at its rearmost and the reclining seatback at an upright-yet-still-comfortable angle.
Cannot say I’ve give you this Tetris formation earlier than. This might be the three largest luggage, which is a helluva lot higher than a Kia Sorento and loads of different three-row crossovers. The Sequoia’s tall, boxy form is the explanation right here, because it counteracts the cargo space’s minimal size by permitting the luggage to face up.
Nevertheless! We’re not evaluating a Toyota Sequoia to a Kia Sorento.
Chevy Tahoe: All luggage however the smallest fancy bag.
Ford Expedition: All luggage however the largest check-in bag.
Jeep Wagoneer: All the luggage
Now, right here is the Sequoia with the third row scooted up as beforehand mentioned. This might be the 4 largest luggage with the small curler and fancy bag left behind. That is comparable to a couple larger crossovers, however once more, it depends upon the Sequoia’s tall top to make up for the shortage of size … and subsequently this bizarre lateral stacking association.
Regardless of how excessive this association is, there isn’t any concern seeing out the again. In fact, this Tundra Capstone had the rearview digital camera mirror, which is nice characteristic for this very purpose.
Now, again to the luggage. You possibly can actually slide the third row all the best way ahead, however then I am unsure who may slot in it for very lengthy. Or, maybe, slide one facet ahead, slide one again, put one up, put one down … I do not know, there are undoubtedly potentialities. The third-row’s versatility shouldn’t be in query. It is only a disgrace that it is successfully a workaround for an uncompetitive quantity of normal house.
This isn’t the tip of the story, nonetheless. A part of the issue whereas loading is the everlasting “stage” that the third-row sits upon. It impedes loading luggage behind the third row when it is slid ahead to any diploma because it creates a bizarre double-tiered house. True, I may put the ground again inside on the identical degree because the stage, however then I would be decreasing general top, which might subsequently scale back the quantity of luggage potential.
Additionally …
The third row doesn’t fold flat into the ground as within the Expedition, Wagoneer and, since its full redesign, the Tahoe/Yukon. The Sequoia’s simply sits atop that stage.
And observe: The third-row seats will not be detachable, as a result of Toyota says it wished to take care of safety for what’s beneath: the hybrid battery pack.
Above left, you may see what that appears like with luggage.
Above proper is with the ground in place to bridge the hole between the folded seatbacks and liftgate, thereby making a contiguous flooring with some storage beneath.
That house beneath is sufficient to match a squished fancy bag. The smallest curler wouldn’t match.
Transferring on. Just like the Expedition and Tahoe, the Sequoia has a pop-up window in its liftgate. That is undoubtedly not a nasty factor, however sadly, it means the Sequoia has misplaced the 4Runner-style energy roll-down window it had for its first two generations (pictured beneath). You possibly can drive round with it rolled down, which is nice. This? Not advisable.
It also needs to be famous that the last-generation Sequoia didn’t have the third-row stage as a result of it undoubtedly was not a hybrid. It certain appears like there was extra size behind the third row, too.
So yeah, whereas Toyota actually went to nice lengths to engineer intelligent workarounds, they’re however workarounds. The brand new Sequoia has much less cargo house than its predecessor, and much much less house than its rivals. Add in its smaller passenger lodging and you’ve got a full-size SUV that when it comes to inside packaging, simply is not aggressive.
