Trims and Mechanical Specs

In addition to the debuting Capstone, the ’23 Sequoia is made in SR5, Limited, Platinum, and TRD Pro trim levels. A major part of this redesign’s excitement is the more eco-friendly hybrid powertrain, a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter six-cylinder working in conjunction with an electric motor. Their output definitely suits a full-sized family hauler, as they combine to make 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft. of torque. This new Sequoia gets a rear-wheel drivetrain by default, but four-wheel drive is available on all trims – although the TRD Pro gets it standard. The transmission is a ten-speed electronically controlled automatic.

The EPA has estimated the fuel economy for the RWD-equipped Sequoia at 21 mpg in city driving and 24 mpg on the highway. With 4WD, this changes to 19 city/22 highway. The hybrid system keeps the Sequoia operating under all-electric power most of the time at speeds below 18 mph to optimize fuel economy.

As a full-sized SUV should be, the Sequoia is designed to transport a lot of cargo – with the second and third rows folded it has 86.9 cubic feet of storage area. The tow capacity varies by drivetrain and trim level, with the peak capability ranging between 8,980 and 9,520 pounds.

Amenities by Trim

The eight-passenger SR5 has a three-person bench for the second and third rows, with tri-zone automatic climate control to keep everyone comfortable. In addition to cloth seats, it gets a power moonroof, LED exterior headlights, push-button start, eight-way power front seats, a leather-trimmed manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (which can be customized to what’s displayed), proximity keyless entry, power heated side mirrors with turn-signal indicators built in, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The optional Premium Package will swap in SofTex upholstery, a power-folding third row, a hands-free power liftgate, and some infotainment upgrades that we’ll list below. Sequoia SR5s with 4WD are eligible for the TRD Off-Road Package, which upgrades the suspension and other components for off-road use and adds a skid plate.

The Limited gets the SofTex seats as standard, and the front row is both heated and ventilated. The other highlights are a heated steering wheel, driver’s seat position memory, some trim-specific accents on the exterior, and 20-inch alloy wheels. The TRD Off-Road Package is once again offered in conjunction with 4WD, and the following features may be ordered individually: power running boards, a power panoramic moonroof, and power-extending tow mirrors.

The Platinum moves to a seven-passenger configuration with second-row captain’s chairs (heated and ventilated) replacing that bench seat. It also gets leather upholstery, the power panoramic moonroof, upgraded LED headlights, a wireless device charger, interior ambient lighting, and special exterior elements. It’s eligible for the power running boards and a load-leveling rear height control air suspension.

The TRD Pro is the most rugged Sequoia; it’s equipped like the Limited but with most of the features from the TRD Off-Road Package included. It also has an LED light bar, twin exhaust outlets, TRD Pro badging, SofTex seating with camouflage-patterned inserts, and upgraded exterior LED lighting. The power panoramic moonroof is an option. As mentioned, the Capstone is loaded with comforts and conveniences, starting with an equipment list similar to the Platinum’s but with some noteworthy upgrades, including a 10-inch color head-up display (which is available on the Platinum). Plus, the seats are upholstered in semi-aniline leather with contrast stitching, and walnut woodgrain trim adorns the interior. The exterior shows off chrome accents and 22-inch alloy wheels. Some more seating-related upgrades for the Capstone are its ten-way power-adjustable front seats with four-way power-adjustable lumbar support and a power third-row bench.

Driver Safety Technology

It’s no surprise that Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 comes on every trim in the Sequoia range. This comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assist technologies includes automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, and road sign assist. Some of the other available technologies are trailer merge warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking.

Keeping Connected

This family-oriented SUV has the expected slew of multimedia features, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system for the base-level SR5. The higher trims upgrade to a 14-inch touchscreen display (which is included in the optional SR5 Premium Package). The two lowest trims have an eight-speaker sound system, but a 14-speaker JBL sound system is offered for the Limited and standard on the TRD Pro and Capstone. All Sequoia trims get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Toyota Connected Services.