By Steve & Tamami Laser
Full-size SUVs are really popular in Southern California, where families on-the-go appreciate their spacious interiors, off-road capability, cargo flexibility, and creature comforts. From the mountains, to the desert, to the local beaches along the coast, it won’t be long before we start seeing the all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia.
With bold good looks influenced by the new Tundra, the Sequoia’s styling was crafted primarily at Toyota’s Calty Design Research, with studios in Newport Beach, Calif., and Ann Arbor, Mich. Expected to go on sale this summer, Sequoia is offered in SR5, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Capstone models.
While we would welcome any new Sequoia to our fleet, our favorite is the TRD Pro. It’s fitted with a heritage-inspired grille with a big TOYOTA emblem and TRD lightbar, plus 18-inch TRD alloy wheels, exhaust, and roof rack.
Part-time 4WD is standard, along with a selectable locking rear differential. Multi-Terrain Select helps control wheel spin for improved traction, CRAWL Control functions as an off-road cruise control for low-speed trails, and Downhill Assist Control helps with steep descents.
Underneath is a TRD front skid plate, and TRD-tuned Fox internal bypass shocks. Sequoia features body-on-frame construction, with a fully boxed frame shared with the new Tundra, global Land Cruiser, and Lexus LX. Rack-mounted electronic power steering, independent front suspension, and multi-link rear suspension are standard.
Like all new Sequoias, the TRD Pro is powered by a twin-turbo V6 Hybrid i-FORCE MAX, shared with the Tundra, delivering 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque. Mounted between the engine and 10-speed automatic transmission is a motor generator, said to provide maximum performance and efficiency.
High-tech sporty luxury abounds inside, with a TRD Pro heated steering wheel, alloy pedals, red TRD push-button start, and 12.3-inch digital instrument display. New Drive Mode Select includes driver-selectable settings, with Eco, Normal and Sport. Available Load-Leveling Rear Height Control Air Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension settings add Comfort, Sport S+ and Custom modes.
TRD Pro includes supportive front bucket seats with TRD script embroidered onto the seatbacks. If this model was on our shopping list, we would select the same interior color combo as the Sequoia in these photos. The upholstery design and textures, along with TRD Pro accents, makes it our favorite.
Second-row captain’s chairs are standard on TRD Pro. Sequoia also benefits from a power-folding third row and power liftgate. The available sliding third row features six inches of travel for flexibility, while an adjustable cargo shelf increases versatility with different storage positions.
The 14-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen display offers Toyota Connected Services, Intelligent Assistant through Drive Connect, a cloud-based native navigation system, Wi-Fi Connect, Multi-Terrain Monitor, and SiriusXM®. Wireless compatibility for Apple CarPlay® connects iPhone users to features like Apple Music®, Maps, Messages, and other apps.
Standard Toyota Safety Sense™ 2.5 includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist, and Road Sign Assist. And there’s a standard Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Braking.
Note: Pre-production models are shown in this story. Features, specifications, availability, and launch timing for future U.S. production models is subject to change without notice
News source and photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
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