By: Joshua Lee
January 31, 2023
Did you remember that Toyota still has a full-size SUV in its lineup? We aren’t talking about the Land Cruiser as that hasn’t been made available for the North American market. Instead, you can get the Lexus LX 600 as an equivalent. Even if you don’t need an ultra-luxury off-roader, Toyota still has something to offer. After 15 years, the third-generation Toyota Sequoia appeared in late January of 2022 and has been in production since September. Can this completely redesigned SUV make a comeback and win people over?
Toyota Canada has answered this question with the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone. Under the hood, the Sequoia has a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 i-Force Max hybrid powertrain with a 10-speed automatic transmission producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque at 2,400 RPM. It’s incredibly well done as the electric motor and engine work together seamlessly.
You can drive in low-speed EV mode, under 29 km/h, but you’ll enjoy putting your foot down to experience how much power this vehicle has and how smooth the transmission is. It’s a relatively quiet cabin, but there’s noticeable wind noise from the big side mirrors and all-terrain tires; you can drown those out if you push the engine more, as the sound is pumped through the speakers, making it feel like you’re driving a V8. The steering feel is quite light, which makes handling this SUV less of a hassle, but there is significant body lean due to its soft suspension. The Sequoia has a solid rear axle that lets you tow up to 9010 pounds (4087 kilograms).
The Supersonic Red part-time 4WD Sequoia looks beefy and muscular. The top-of-the-line Capstone trim features a chrome-accented mesh grille with chrome surround, automatic power-extending running boards, chrome-plated mirror caps, satin-chrome-plated roof rails, and 22-inch dark chrome and machined-finish alloy wheels with 265/50R22 Bridgestone Dueller A/T tires.
The luxury treatment doesn’t stop there. In the cabin, heated and ventilated seats are standard in the first and second rows, while the third row has a power recline function. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, you sit high in the Sequoia. The outward visibility could be better; the bulging hood, narrow windshield, and thick pillars make driving in tight areas a little nerve-wracking, but the Sequoia is equipped with parking sensors, a 360-degree parking camera, and a digital display rear-view mirror to assist in manoeuverability.
We love the 14-inch touch screen as it’s responsive and easy to use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto run effortlessly as well. The Capstone trim also features a large panoramic sunroof, rear sunshades, a 14-speaker JBL sound system, blue ambient lighting with a backlit ‘CAPSTONE’ panel in the front passenger-side, and real walnut wood trim.
Although the Sequoia looks big inside and out, that feeling isn’t reflected in terms of usable space. The second-row captain’s chairs are comfortable, but headroom is compromised by that panoramic sunroof. The power folding 60/40 third row is the most puzzling aspect of this SUV. It doesn’t fold flat into the floor because the battery pack is stored underneath, but you can easily slide it forward and backward six inches to create more room in the trunk. The problem you’ll face is compromised storage space or the number of passengers you can carry. The second row doesn’t slide so legroom in the third row is non-existent should you push the seats all the way forward.
The amount of cargo room is less than that of its predecessor with 325.6L to 631.4L behind the third row (209L loss), 1387.5L with the seats folded down (498L loss), and 2460.7L with the second row down (940L loss). However, you do get an adjustable three level cargo shelf and a fold up rear window for added versatility.
The fuel economy ratings for the Sequoia are 12.6L/100KM city, 10.5L/100KM highway, for a combined 11.7L/100KM. We wish this 6185-pound hybrid performed better as we’ve achieved 15.1L/100KM. Keep in mind that our test was during the wintertime, but we’ve also driven mostly in Eco mode.
Pricing starts at $78,013.20 for the TRD Off Road, $80,513.20 for the Limited, $91,013.20 for the Platinum, $93,013.20 for the TRD Pro, and $94,013.20 for the Capstone. Our test vehicle came to $94,265.70 after taxes and delivery.
The redesign for the Toyota Sequoia is marvelous. The styling is bold, the performance with the new hybrid powertrain is stellar, and the interior quality is great in the Capstone trim. We feel that Toyota has given its full-size SUV an incredible update, but for a family hauler, practicality and fuel efficiency must be improved. Towing is impressive in second place while the Jeep Wagoneer wins with 10,000 pounds. Competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Nissan Armada put the Sequoia in a difficult position as they provide more interior space and similar fuel economy ratings without a hybrid powertrain. It might not be at the top of our list for a full-size SUV but if you really want one, we recommend going with the TRD Off Road or Limited trim as it’s shocking to pay base Cadillac Escalade prices for the Capstone. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Sienna are great three-row hybrid alternatives to consider as well.
