The Sequoia is one of the bigger options available this year in Toyota’s vast lineup of cars, trucks, and SUVs. After driving the 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro for a few days, I can tell you that I love this SUV. It combines the space of a full-size SUV with the capability of an off-road-ready vehicle, which makes perfect sense when it comes down to it.
Here’s what the 2023 Toyota Sequoia gets right
If you need more space than the Highlander or the 4Runner offers, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia has all that and more. Even though Toyota recently added the Grand Highlander to the mix, the Sequoia is one of the only vehicles with three rows of space. My test vehicle had room for seven passengers, with captain’s chairs in the second row. This made it really easy to get in and out of the SUV.
Toyota equips the 2023 Sequoia with a basic 36-month, 36,000-mile warranty, and a 60-month, 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The hybrid system is 96 months or 100,000 miles, and the hybrid battery is 120 months or 150,000 miles. That’s pretty good, and it covers all of the TRD Pro systems and accessories that come on the vehicle.
Even though you can craft the perfect off-road SUV from most Toyota models, I appreciate that you can also buy the ideal off-road SUV right from the factory. You don’t have to fuss with extra orders and installing things after delivery, as Toyota has perfected the trim levels already.
My time with the 2023 Toyota Sequoia
After driving many SUVs in Toyota’s lineup, I didn’t expect to like the Sequoia as much as I did. Between the aggressive TRD tires and the other details that set it apart and the sheer capability of the SUV, the Sequoia was hard to drive without a smile on my face.
The second-row captain’s chairs were nice to have. I was able to pick up a few people and still have room for my groceries. And even though the TRD Pro is pretty high, it was easy to get in and out of with the running boards.
One slightly challenging area was probably the cargo area. Toyota uses a multi-level adjustable cargo shelf system in the Sequoia, which means there are 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row if you use both levels. If you utilize all of the space, that works out to about 86.9 cubic feet. You can fit around 1,390-foot-long Publix subs in the Toyota Sequoia. That sounds like just enough.
When the space is added up, it makes for a lot of room. However, it isn’t a straight shot of rectangular space light you might find in the 4Runner or Highlander. The rows fold and slide around for more room, but you might have to move things around to fit specific items in the back. I could live with it, but you might want to see it in person.
How much is the Sequoia TRD Pro trim?
The base model Toyota Sequoia starts at $59,865, while the 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro starts at $77,565. Toyota adds 18 inches. TRD Pro matte-black forged aluminum BBS wheels and TRD Pro off-road suspension. There are 2.5 in. FOX Internal Bypass coil-overs, rear remote-reservoir shocks, and a TRD Pro front stabilizer bar already installed.
If you were to buy the wheels from the factory, they are around $480 each, which is just under $2,000 for a set of four. Toyota says the 18″ Nitto all-terrain tires are $1,549, and the TRD skid plate is $699. The coilovers are another $1,000 at least, and the rear remote-reservoir shocks are around the same amount. Adding those few things to the base model Sequoia already brings you past $70,061. Even the Solar Octane paint is $425.
That doesn’t include four-wheel drive or any other systems that aid in the capability of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia. The newest i-FORCE MAX twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine gives the TRD Pro 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. I found that it was pretty quick during everyday city driving, surprisingly fast for its size.
Toyota’s 2023 Sequoia is a great family vehicle
If there was ever any doubt, the 2023 Sequoia nails the family vehicle turned weekend off-roader. That isn’t as niche of a segment as you might anticipate. It has several driving modes, such as Eco, Normal, and Sport. While driving around in the city or otherwise on the road, the different modes were helpful to increase fuel economy or performance when necessary. That means that while the kids are sleeping in the back, you can keep the Sequoia quiet and fuel-efficient with the traditional driving modes.
I didn’t have a chance to check how a car seat would fit in the back, but Cars.com reports that you can fit a car seat in the Sequoia. Depending on the seat configuration, you should be able to fit a car seat in the second and third rows. That might not be the case with the captain’s chairs. When I sat in the third row, it was pretty spacious. I’m only five-foot-six, so your results may vary.
For 2023, all Sequoia trims also get Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. That adds a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. Toyota also includes systems like Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Road Sign Assist. Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are also standard. Eight airbags cover the cabin, including driver, passenger, knee, and curtain airbags.
How is the Sequoia for off-roading?
For the days you opt for adventures off the beaten path, the TRD Pro is one of the more capable trim levels. I took it lightly off-road for some testing and really enjoyed Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) with selectable front, side, and rear views. It also has Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), Crawl Control (CRAWL), and Downhill Assist Control (DAC) modes. I didn’t get that serious with the dirt, but Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) worked well.
It also gets part-time four-wheel drive with an electronically controlled two-speed transfer case. That is also paired with an automatic limited-slip differential. For a 6,150-pound SUV, I thought it handled itself well.
In conclusion
The Sequoia has been on the market for a long time, and Toyota has gotten a lot of things right over its history. It might be too big for some people, and the cargo area might be a little iffy for others, but overall, it is a great full-size SUV. I really enjoyed the TRD Pro trim and all of the extra off-road-ready additions it offers for those who want a versatile vehicle.
For those who want a reliable vehicle that’s a little more rugged and a little more off the beaten path than some of Toyota’s other SUVs, you can’t go wrong with the Sequoia.
