2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro – Rugged Full-Size SUV / The American Land Cruiser HD
Toyota’s full-size SUV was last redesigned for the 2007 model year, and today it feels as ancient as the giant trees it’s named for. The Sequoia predates the proliferation of infotainment and driver-assist tech, and when it was designed, the only way to provide sufficient grunt was to stick a gas-guzzling V8 under the hood. Times have changed, and now, finally, so has the Sequoia. The redesigned 2023 Toyota Sequoia retains old-school SUV attributes like robust towing capacity and off-road capability, but in a modernized package that meets current tech standards. Plus, it’s a hybrid. Design As before, the Sequoia is based on the Toyota Tundra pickup truck, but this time it’s the updated version of the Tundra that debuted for the 2022 model year. So while the Sequoia still has truck-derived body-on-frame construction, it rides on a new frame that’s stiffer than before, helping to improve ride comfort, according to Toyota. The exterior styling also reflects the Sequoia’s Tundra DNA, which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on what you want. If you want an in-your-face SUV that will never be confused with a minivan, this is it. But Toyota’s attempts to make the 2023 Sequoia look as tough as possible didn’t yield a sleek or elegant design. The Sequoia remains a three-row SUV, but gains a sliding third row that can be moved forward or aft to increase cargo space, or legroom for rear-seat passengers, depending on what you’re carrying. Toyota also included an adjustable shelf for the cargo area. Up front, the design largely echoes the Tundra, with a large central touchscreen sitting atop the dashboard and chunky controls that match the rugged exterior aesthetic. Tech The Sequoia gets the new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system that debuted in the 2022 Tundra. An 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capable of supporting up to five devices are standard. A 14.0-inch touchscreen is available on higher trim levels. The new infotainment system also supports Amazon Music, Apple Music, cloud-based navigation, and over-the-air software updates. The 2023 Sequoia also gets the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 bundle of drive-assist tech, including forward collision warning (with pedestrian detection), adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard as well, while an available 360-degree camera system and rearview camera mirror should make parking this big SUV easier. Finally, Toyota added some features aimed specifically at towing. Trailer Backup Guide assists when backing up with a trailer, while Straight Path Assist automatically provides steering input to help keep the SUV and trailer pointing straight when reversing. Specifications The Sequoia gets the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain from the Tundra has standard equipment. The powertrain consists of a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission, with an el