Toyota Sequoia (US) review

This, dear reader, is the biggest Toyota available in its entire civilian vehicle portfolio. Like the tree it's named after, the full-sized SUV is massive and full of wood, due mostly to the new 1794 model that furnishes the interior like a rolling Texas steakhouse. Whichever trim you choose, the Sequoia is equipped to be a versatile, comfortable transport across varied terrain while bringing along as much stuff as possible.

Sounds substantial. What are the details?

If the 4Runner is the SUV version of the Tacoma pickup, then this is the SUV-ified Toyota Tundra. In that it’s a large, cornfed body-on-frame utility vehicle repackaged for people-moving. It’s essentially a three-row SUV for families on the go; half-rugged, half dressed up kind of like the boots you’d wear on a night out but wouldn’t dare get dirty.

Powering all Sequoias is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 partnered with a 36kW motor for a bit of no-hassle mile-stretching and a touch of supplemental oomph. Total power delivery is 437hp and 583lb ft of torque, managed with a 10-speed automatic gearbox and usually sent to all four wheels, contingent on trim.

Can it off-road?

It’s better equipped than most, for sure. Core models are set up with an independent front and multi-link rear suspension, with an adaptive system available. Those touched with TRD blessings get their suspensions sport tuned for the street, prepped for off-road, or given the full Pro treatment, respective of the chosen trim. Along with that are the different available drive modes for ideal power delivery and to top it off, most models can tow upwards of 9,000lbs.

What’s the deal with this 1794 trim anyway?

As Toyota tells it, this was the year a ranch was established outside of San Antonio, Texas which happens to be where the factory assembling Sequoias and Tundras now stands. This trim is meant to celebrate this tenuous connection to the Lone Star State’s history with a walnut wood grain interior trim, leather-trimmed seats and 20-inch alloy wheels.

There’s also a good deal of ‘1794’ badging throughout to ensure that someone in your life will make that ‘ah, a good year’ joke. Boot spurs and barbecue sauce sold separately.

What’s on the back, then? Saloon doors?

Mercifully, there’s a powered liftgate with hands-free opening, giving access to either the cargo area or the third row. If you need the space, the rear seats fold up to provide plenty of cargo capacity, but fold them down and very little extra room remains. You’ll be okay to haul seven or eight people around, so long as they’ve packed light.

Does it handle like a big SUV?

Certainly, though it does a fairly decent job of making the whole ordeal a bit more manageable. To start, the turbo V6 and the hybrid system have some decent pull, certainly enough so that the SUV feels like it can carry its own weight. If you need to plant your foot and get going, the Sequoia gets the message, acting with urgency.

When it comes to handling, the boat-like utility vehicle is smooth and direct, which is good considering how substantially massive it feels at any (okay, every) given moment. You’ll be especially thankful of that each time you roll into a parking lot…

The Toyota Sequoia is a luxury tank that rivals the offerings of the automaker’s premium brand, Lexus, in quality, comfort and utility. Though inherently a handful due to its size, the three-row utility vehicle is far from unwieldy, and much of what would make it a pain to drive is mitigated by a multitude of well-implemented drive assists that give you better situational awareness. All the while, the V6-based hybrid powertrain doesn’t disappoint when there’s a need to be hasty in this vehicular behemoth. Competitors like the Cadillac Escalade have the Sequoia beat when it comes to driving dynamics, however.

Inside, the cabin is vast and though it’s a bit over-furnished, finding the ideal cargo/passenger solution is a breeze. A big chunk of the cargo space is sacrificed in order to use the third row, but it’s for the benefit of making that space actually livable. Pricey? You bet, particularly with the higher trims, but it’s hard to argue that you don’t get what you pay for.