Brand new 2023 Toyota Sequoia It still has a lot of work to do if it has any chance of catching up with the sales leaders in the large SUV segment. As is the case of Toyota Tundra 2022 based on that, the Japanese automaker’s biggest cars don’t come close to matching the sales figures of their American rivals.
With 8,070 units sold, Sequoia sit below Nissan Armada at the bottom of the sales chart in 2021. To put things in perspective, last year Chevy sold more than 106,000 VND Tahoe’s SUV, plus another 48,000 Suburban. The GMC Yukon almost the same and that adds another 82,000 units to the tally. The Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator outsold Sequioa. And Jeep Wagoneer, which went on sale in late 2021, more than doubled Sequoia’s sales in December.
Those are some rigorous statistics, but it happens: Sequoia was last redesigned in 2008 and has never been significantly refreshed. It’s a classic in the auto industry, and it’s not surprising that its sales have not only fallen, but have become uncompetitive in almost every statistic that matters to buyers. For example, engine. Gone are the old 5.7-liter V8s, rated well for power and reliability, but returning 13 mph in the city and 17 on the highway compared to 16 mpg in the city and 20 on the highway is the most common. Tahoe configured with a 5.3 liter V8 engine. That may not seem like much of a difference, but in terms of the actual amount of gasoline burned and the amount spent, it’s huge.
In place of the accompanying V8 is a new twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that makes 437 horsepower (up 56 from the V8) and 583 pound-feet of torque (an increase of 182). This advanced new powertrain, which it shares with the premium Toyota Tundra model, including a composite component as standard. In between the engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission is an electric motor that delivers a solid portion of that massive torque figure while boosting performance. We don’t have an estimate energy saving but Toyota says “it is expected to be extremely competitive at the top of the segment – and a huge improvement over the previous generation”. For reference, the best fuel economy in the segment for 2021 is Explore at 19 mpg combined and Tahoe/diesel poweredYukon at 24 mpg combined.
2023 Sequoia may drag up to £9,000, a 22% improvement over the previous model. Tahoe/Yukon maxes out at 8,000 pounds, while the Expedition is 9,300 with the optional Heavy-Duty Trailer package.
The complete boxed frame is shared with the latest one Tundra, and much of its structure can also be found underpinning the new Lexus LX 600 and Land Cruiser siblings that will not be sold in the United States. The new chassis is stiffer and stiffer than before and benefits from a new rack-mounted electronic power steering system and a rear multi-link suspension setup. Optional is a load-balanced air suspension with adaptive dampers.
Two-wheel drive is standard on the SR5, Limited, Platinum and Capstone (new for 2023, added below) while the TRD Pro comes standard with part-time four-wheel drive as an option on trims is different. The TRD Sport package is optional on the SR5 and it gets 20-inch matte black wheels, a Bilstein monoshock and TRD adjustable springs. SRT and Limited 4×4 models can be fitted with a TRD Off-Road package that adds rear differential locking, unique 18-inch wheels with active all-terrain tyres, Multi-Terrain, Downhill Assist Control, Traction Control Information collection, Multi-terrain Tracking and specificity of Bilstein single-tube shock. The red front-wheel drive shaft is another interesting highlight.
The TRD Pro model (above left) is geared towards off-road driving and features a Fox internal shock absorber, ¼-inch aluminum TRD front skid plate, rear differential lock, and all the electronics from the session. TRD Off-Road version. Inside, the TRD Pro has a captain’s seat in the second row and a host of TRD interior accents. The roof rack incorporates a unique grille that adds lights, 18-inch wheels and a specific exhaust tip to round out the package.
At the top of the pile is the new Sequoia Capstone (upper right). It features chrome exterior trim and large 22-inch wheels. The interior is upholstered in semi-aniline leather with unique black and white perforations and American walnut trim. The Capstone trim also features soundproof glass on the front doors to further reduce outside sound.
All three rows of seats can recline in the new Sequoia, and the third row has a unique, new feature: 6-inches of sliding adjustment to maximize legroom or cargo space. Detachable adjustable Goods The racking system adds additional storage flexibility.
After 15 years with almost the same interior (even the Tundra was refreshed at the time), there’s nowhere left to go but for a brand new Sequoia upgrade. It’s a more modern environment, obviously, but it’s also almost identical to what you’ll find in Tundra. That probably won’t be a problem for potential buyers, but for what it’s worth, the Tahoe/Yukon have had an interior design that’s been different from their full-size truck brethren for three generations. current system. Cabin Expedition is unique for the first time in 2022.
Among the similarities with the Tundra, the new Sequoia also has Toyota’s new Audio Multimedia infotainment system in 8 or 14 inches. Tech highlights include voice activation – “Hey Toyota, set the temperature to…” – and cloud-based navigation and real-time Over the Air updates for mapping and Favorite places. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also included.
Toyota’s latest Safety Sense 2.5 feature set is standard on all trim levels of the Sequoia for 2023. Highlights include new forward collision warning and automatic emergency brake system with improved pedestrian and cyclist detection in different driving situations. There’s also a new Emergency Steering Assist system that will “detect pedestrians and stabilize the driver’s emergency evasive maneuvers and help prevent lane departures.” There’s also lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control with lane-focused steering assist.
We’ll have to wait a bit longer before we know how much the Sequoia 2023 will cost, but we guess this will be a reasonable increase over the current model to keep it competitive in its segment. We will get the rest of the details soon as the new SUV is coming agency in the US this summer.
2023 Toyota Sequoia Limited Photo Gallery:
