2023 Toyota Sequoia Ushers in All-New Third Generation

The second-generation Toyota Sequoia was a dinosaur in its class. On sale since 2007, the big ‘Yota was still perfectly good at its intended purpose, but badly in need of an update. That big overhaul is finally here, and the 2023 Toyota Sequoia is an all-new rig. The third-generation model looks promising, with bones shared with the LC300 Land Cruiser and all-new Tundra. With an available TRD Pro trim and a maximum towing capacity of 9,000 pounds, it should be an excellent partner for our ATV and UTV hobbies too.

On top of a massive visual overhaul, Toyota made drastic changes underneath the Sequoia. While we were fans of the outgoing Sequoia’s 5.7L V-8, it was behind the times. That powerplant is gone, replaced by a twin-turbo 3.5L V-6 paired with a hybrid system that generates a total 437 hp and 583 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the rear or all four tires through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Inside, the Sequoia is completely revamped, with an available 14-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen is standard), digital rearview mirror, and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite of goodies is standard.

The Sequoia shares its fully boxed frame with the LC300 Land Cruiser sold elsewhere in the world, the Lexus LX600 sold stateside, and the new Tundra. This is good news for towing and hauling. Load-leveling rear air suspension is available, and in the trunk area a movable cargo shelf will help keep off-road equipment organized. The Tow Tech Package is available on all trims and comes standard on the TRD Pro and Capstone models. This package includes backup assist and Straight Path Assist for heavier loads. This is helpful, as the new Sequoia pushes the model to a 22 percent higher maximum towing capacity of 9,000 pounds, which puts it at the top of its class. We expect the new Sequoia to tow well thanks in part to a return to a solid rear axle, something hardcore off-roaders also will appreciate.

The 2023 Sequoia will be available in five trims: SR5, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro, and Capstone. Naturally, our interest is piqued by the TRD Pro, which has Fox internal bypass shocks, skid plates, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, a locking rear differential, and a suite of visual upgrades.