The ALL NEW 2023 Toyota Sequoia! Massively Improved SUV...

The ALL NEW 2023 Toyota Sequoia! Massively Improved SUV...

The Toyota Sequoia has always been a full-size, three-row SUV based on the body of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck. However, the new 2023 Toyota Sequoia is far more modern than the old and outdated second-gen Sequoia it replaces, which has been around for more than a decade. So what are the best features of the new Sequoia which make it worth the price? Let's find out…

The previous generation of the Toyota Sequoia was archaic and chintzy. In comparing five large three-row 2018 SUVs, it finished last behind the Nissan Armada, partly because the Toyota failed to keep pace with the best in the segment over its 14-year lifespan. It was also slow, saddled with lackluster fuel economy ratings, and couldn't tow as much as its rivals, but it did come with more ground clearance than many competitors.

In its new generation, Sequoia rights many of those wrongs. The fuel economy is significantly improved, and it's full of modern tech and amenities, not to mention it looks stylish, as well.

Alongside various shiny new features, the all new 2023 Toyota Sequoia also becomes available in 5 trims to meet the requirements of different Sequoia owners. Its new luxurious look, technology, comfort, and performance spread on the SR5, the Platinum, the Limited, the TRD Pro, along with the Capstone. So, if a user needs a family three-row SUV for the city or even an off-roader to tackle different terrains, the all new 2023 Sequoia will have just the perfect trim options readily available for you.

The all new 2023 Sequoia comes standard with the new and improved iForce MAX hybrid powertrain that's optional in the Toyota Tundra pickup. This powertrain comprises a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine and an electric motor producing an impressive total of 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque.

The Tundra's 10-speed automatic transmission also carries over to the Sequoia SUV. The rear-wheel drive will be standard, with four-wheel drive optional on most versions, and standard on the off-road-oriented TRD Pro model.

Moreover, the four-wheel-drive Sequoia Capstone car experts tested hit 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds and reached a quarter-mile in around 14.3 seconds at 94 mph, which despite its curb weight of more than 6,000lbs, it’s still faster than a VW Golf GTI. It's much quicker than the last GMC Yukon Denali car experts tested but somewhat slower than the Ford Expedition Timberline. The Sequoia TRD Pro also comes with off-road equipment such as upgraded Fox dampers, a locking rear differential, a front skid plate, and forged 18-inch wheels with 33-inch tires.

During its initial test drive, car experts were pleased with the new Toyota Sequoia's comfortable ride and its quiet cabin but not so much with its on-road driving behavior. Its extra-wide feeling on the road makes it hard to place in a lane, something car experts complained about in other large SUVs too, and its featherweight steering effort can make it feel twitchy when cruising.

Sequoia's new hybrid setup makes it significantly much more efficient than the outgoing model. The rear-wheel-drive models are EPA-rated at 21 mpg in the city, and 24 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. Going for four-wheel drive drops the numbers a bit to 19 mpg in the city, and 22 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined.

For the first time in Sequoia's history, it receives an available TRD Off-Road package. The optional package should be distinct from the maximum off-road featured TRD Pro trim level or the Sequoia SR5's available TRD Sport package, an on-road performance set of upgrades.

To the SR5 and Limited 4WD models, the TRD Off-Road package adds a selectable locking rear differential, terrain mode selector, Downhill Assist Control for carefully descending steep grades, and Crawl Control, which manages vehicle acceleration over low-speed, rugged terrain so the driver can focus attention on steering.

Further capability is picked up with the package's TRD-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, springs, and Multi-Terrain Monitor camera system. A red front axle and package-specific 18-inch wheels add panache. The TRD package includes aluminum gas, brake pedals, and a red TRD engine-start push-button.