America: this is your new third-gen Toyota Sequoia

Internet, say hello to the humungous new Toyota Sequoia. That’s what you get when you name your SUV after a giant form of tree, we guess.

This third-generation is all new though, and the big news is there’s actually been some downsizing in the engine department. Yep, the V8s of old have been lobbed in the bin, and in their place is a twin-turbo V6 hybrid that Toyota calls the “i-FORCE MAX” powertrain. Great name. 

It’s the same system as deployed on the new Tundra pickup and produces 437bhp and 583lb ft of torque. There’s a standard 10-speed automatic gearbox and either 2WD or a part-time 4WD setup. Suspension is an independent setup up front and multi-link at the rear. There’s also the option of adaptive air suspension with a self-levelling system for towing.

There are a fair few different trim levels that properly personalise the Sequoia too. The ‘Supersonic Red’ car you see above is in fully-loaded, top-spec Capstone trim, but the one we’re really interested in is the Sequoia TRD Pro below. 

Check out those off-roady bits. The TRD Pro comes with FOX shocks, a ¼-inch thick skid plate, a locking rear diff, different terrain drive modes, crawl control and a hill descent control feature. It also gets a TRD roof rack, that giant TOYOTA grille, 18-inch wheels and the larger 14-inch infotainment screen that comes on all but the base-spec Sequoia.

What do we think, folks?