Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ and ‘Toyota Sequoia U.S. sales’ sections updated.
The Toyota Sequoia is an old American favorite with plenty of history. The second-gen Sequoia is thirteen years old, and though it has fallen behind competitors in recent years, it has overall had a fruitful outing in the market. And now, a new 2023 Toyota Sequoia looks to take the fight to Chevy and Ford’s models in the aspects of design, features, fuel efficiency, handling, and towing. The new Sequoia is key for Toyota in North America as, after the retirement of the Land Cruiser, the Sequoia is the brand’s SUV flagship.
Design
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia features drastic design changes on the design front. It builds on the 2022 Toyota Tundra’s “technical muscle” design theme, adding the style and sophistication one would expect from a passenger derivative. Toyota has not revealed the dimensions, but the redesigned model looks bigger than its predecessor.
At the front, the 2023 Sequoia flaunts a visibly dominating design, thanks to its larger, hexagonal radiator grille, the T-shaped LED headlamps, a more prominent hood, a chunkier bumper, and a silver skid plate.
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia will be offered only as a hybrid, with one engine and gearbox option. Image – Toyota
On the sides, the clearly defined angular character lines and the squared wheel arches, along with the depressed section above that highlights their shape, provide a tough appearance to the 2023 Sequoia. Unlike in the previous model, the rear quarter glass merges with the windows, and the front three pillars are black. The D-pillars are sharply raked, underlining the SUV’s modern character. Lexus enthusiasts will spot an uncanny resemblance to the third-gen LX in the greenhouse.
Moving to the rear, the slim horizontal tail lights extend onto the shoulders. The new bumper is sleeker, adding sophistication to look of the redesigned model. In contrast, the new silver skid plate tries to augment the ruggedness. A silver tailgate applique between the tail lights and the model name inscription below the license plate area in block letters are among the other visual highlights at the rear.
Consistency within our Toyota truck SUV is maintained by basing Sequoia’s direction on active recreation. And we also carry forward a strong interlock component design language that symbolizes unbreakable strength and you can see this in the body design.
Kevin Hunter, President, Calty Design Research (2023 Toyota Sequoia world premiere on January 25, 2022)
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia shares the TNGA-F platform with the latest Tundra and Land Cruiser, as well as Lexus’ all-new LX. Image Source: Toyota Motor Corporation
Celestial Silver, White, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Army Green, Wind Chill Pearl, Lunar Rock, Blueprint, Smoked Mesquite, Midnight Black Metallic, and TRD-exclusive Solar Octane are the other colors in which Toyota will offer the 2023 Sequoia in the U.S.
Platform
As expected, the 2023 Sequoia rides on a body-on-frame chassis with a fully boxed frame, which is shared with the new Tundra. Referred to by Toyota as the TNGA-F platform, it debuted in the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and now underpins the Lexus LX, too.
According to Toyota, the core objective of this platform is to provide excellent handling while also delivering supreme comfort and off-road capability. New techniques have made this platform more rigid over the previous generation Sequoia, such as a new laser welding technology that helps reduce mass and weight in areas it’s not needed while reinforcing the areas that need it most.
Like the Tundra, the 2023 Sequoia gets an independent front suspension and adopts a new rack-mounted electronic power steering system that Toyota says improves the steering feel, whereas the rear sees a multi-link suspension. Also seen on the 2023 Toyota Sequoia is the Load-Leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) to improve the towing capabilities of the SUV.
Interior & Features
The interior of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a straight lift from the Tundra. However, the trims and some plastic elements are spruced up with faux wood panels or glossy paint to appease the family car buyer.
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone comes with 22-inch alloy wheels, a first on the nameplate. Image – Toyota
The 2023 Sequoia can be had with either second-row bench seats or captain’s chairs, which can be reclined or tumbled to improve the luggage carrying capacity or comfort. For the third row, Toyota has given the SUV reclining backseats in addition to what the company claims is a segment-first slide feature which allows the row to move fore or aft with 6 inches of adjustment range. In addition, an adjustable cargo shelf system with optionally folding third-row seats ensures cargo can be stored in various configurations and sizes.
According to a report from Edmunds, the 2023 Sequoia has a drawback in the third-row seating and cargo space. The headroom in the third row is likely lesser than that of the 2022 Sequoia (34.5”). The maximum cargo volume may not better the outgoing model (120.1 cu. ft.) either. The hybrid system’s battery pack mounted under the third-row seats is probably the responsible for the space reduction.
Coming to the feature list, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia is available with the locally-developed Toyota Audio Multimedia system, which, depending on the grade chosen, has screen sizes measuring from 8 to 14 inches, with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, saved user profiles, cloud-based navigation, and a virtual assistant.
Other noteworthy features include a digital display for the rearview mirror, a Panoramic View Monitor which uses the cameras aboard the SUV for multiple view angles, a hitch view to assist with trailer connections, optional power-folding and extending tow mirrors, hands-free liftgate, 120V power outlets, heated/ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, a premium JBL sound system, panoramic moonroof, Head-Up Display, LED headlights and taillights with sequential turn signals, rain-sensing wipers, and Qi wireless charging.
Toyota Sequoia Capstone
Like the 2023 Tundra, the 2023 Sequoia will be available in a new Capstone grade. The luxury-focused grade offers a more sophisticated styling and extra comfort. It includes 22-inch chrome wheels and unique chrome accents that give it an upscale appearance. This is the first time that 22-inch chrome wheels are available in a Sequoia, and they are exclusive to this range-topping grade. Another exterior highlight of the Capstone grade is power running boards.
The interior of the 2023 Sequoia Capstone packs luxury-grade, perforated seats in a distinctive black-and-white color scheme, a Capstone logo on the dashboard, and exclusive acoustic glass in the front doors. Toyota has accented the center console and passenger-side dashboard with American Walnut and an open-pore finish.
TRD packages & TRD Pro
Buyers will have the option of choosing between multiple TRD packages based on their utility. Image – Toyota
TRD Packages
The optional TRD Sport package on the 2023 Toyota Sequoia upgrades the standard 18-inch wheels to 20-inch matte-black TRD wheels, TRD sport-tuned Bilstein monotube shocks, and TRD-tuned springs.
The TRD Off-Road package, on the other hand, builds on its off-road character thanks to a selectable locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select that helps controls wheel spin for improved traction, Downhill Assist Control, Crawl Control, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor to provide a better view of hard-to-see spots for the driver.
TRD Pro
Like its predecessor, the 2023 Sequoia will be available in a TRD Pro grade for extra-rugged styling and greater off-roading capabilities. As an off-roader, it packs TRD-tuned FOX internal bypass shock absorbers, a quarter-inch aluminum TRD front skid plate, selectable locking rear diff, Crawl Control, and Downhill Assist Control.
The “TOYOTA” grille featuring marker lights and an integrated TRD light bar, exclusive 18-inch TRD alloy wheels, TRD roof rack, and a twin-tip TRD Pro exhaust make the 2023 Sequoia TRD Pro look ready for adventures. If that doesn’t cut it, there’s a special Solar Octane paint option. Inside, the TRD Pro grade of the all-new Sequoia includes premium equipment such as TRD heated steering wheel, seats and shift knob featuring TRD accents, and individual second-row seats.
Powertrain & Towing
All 2023 Sequoias feature the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain. First unveiled on Tundra, this hybrid unit produces 437 hp and 583 lb.-ft. of torque, and comes with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain is packaged such that the motor (generator) is located within the bell housing between the engine and the transmission. A 288V Nickel-Metal Hydride battery powers the motor in the case of the Tundra, and we expect the same on the Sequoia.
Toyota has not revealed the fuel efficiency figures but says it will be a massive improvement over the current model. The SUV can be had as a 2WD or 4WD, whereas range-topping variants will come only as a 4WD with a driver-selectable lever to toggle between 2WD, 4WD High, or 4WD Low.
Additionally, a drive mode select switch lets the driver choose between Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, while the load-leveling rear height control air suspension includes settings for Comfort, Sport S+ and Custom. When set on Sport or Sport+, the i-FORCE MAX powertrain makes use of the electric motor’s instantaneous responsiveness to accelerate the SUV, though we don’t know the sprint times just as yet.
Compared to the outgoing Sequoia, the new model offers a 22 percent higher towing capability, of up to 9,000 pounds.
Price & Release Date
What seems like a leaked dealer document (via The Drive) that contains a calendar of Toyota’s events and launches for 2022 for the New York market has emerged on the web. It’s printed under the July 2022 section that the Toyota Sequoia would go on sale. If the document is anything to go by, expect the new-gen SUV to hit the American streets on or soon after July. The 2023 Toyota Sequoia price is likely to be in the region of USD 52,000. According to the leak, the ‘New York Region Sales Plan’ has 515 units of the Sequoia earmarked for 2022.
In the meantime, Toyota is conducting marketing activities to increase customer interest. The company held its motor show debut at the 2022 Houston Auto Show in January, and in February, it showcased it at the Chicago Auto Show. These were followed by the display at the 2022 New York International Auto Show in April. Toyota showcased the swanky Capstone trim that neatly suits the show’s location. Take a look at the video below from Consumer Reports of the unit that was on display at the show.
Video Source: YouTube/Consumer Reports
Toyota Sequoia U.S. sales
Toyota Sequoia sales in the U.S. increased by 9.6% in 2021 compared to 2020, with 8,070 units sold — nothing to write home about. In Q1 2022, Toyota sold only 422 units of the Sequoia, probably as it was preparing to start production of the new-generation model. The upcoming model with electrification should offer significant growth to the nameplate, as it tries to narrow the gap to the Tahoe and Expedition.
PeriodModelToyota SequoiaFord ExpeditionChevrolet Tahoe20218,07081,988106,030Q1 20224229,71823,979
The Toyota Sequoia’s sales in the U.S. should recover with the introduction of the new generation.
Nine Toyota models in the U.S. are available with one or more electrified powertrains, and this spring, the all-electric bZ4X joins them. Toyota expects to sell 1.5-1.8 million electrified vehicles in the country by 2030. In 2021, the nine Toyota and six Lexus electrified vehicles contributed 583,697 units to Toyota’s annual sales across brands, one-fourth of the total sales.
2023 Toyota Sequoia FAQs
What is the 2023 Toyota Sequoia release date?
Toyota should have the 2023 Sequoia in dealer showrooms by July 2022.
What will be the 2023 Toyota Sequoia price?
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia may cost around USD 52,000 onwards.
Which full-size SUVs will be the 2023 Toyota Sequoia alternatives?
Rivals will include the Chevrolet Tahoe, the Ford Expedition, and the Dodge Durango.
Featured Image Source: Toyota
Keyword: 2023 Toyota Sequoia: Everything we know as of May 2022