Toyota Sequoia is a modern SUV with unique features to enhance your driving experience on and off the road. Based on the Toyota Tundra full-size truck and originally released in 2001, it began its second generation in 2008 and was refreshed in 2018. It comes with three rows of seats, driver-assistance technology and significant off-road capability thanks to its optional four-wheel drive. Although the Sequoia provides enough space for up to eight passengers plus cargo, some users have suggested that the material quality could be improved. This review offers a comprehensive look at used Toyota Sequoias from recent model years.
Price and Value
Compared to other cars in the same category, the Sequoia is high-priced, currently starting at $50,200. Its fanciest trim level goes for more than $69,000, which is enough to get you a luxury GMC Yukon or Chevy Tahoe. You can save tens of thousands of dollars and get good value with used 2013–2019 models, some of which go for less than $30,000. To best represent the value of the Sequoia, you should focus on the base SR5 model equipped with the Premium Package.
Size and Seating Capacity
Loading up for your luxury ride has been made easy with Sequoia’s generous amount of space. The 2018 model features seats in upright positions and a cargo capacity of 19 cubic feet — enough for a load of groceries — with all seats in place. If the rear seats are folded down flat, you will be left with a cargo capacity of 67 cubic feet. If both the middle and back seats are completely folded, you will have 120.1 cubic feet worth of cargo space.
The SUV comes with a lot of space for your friends and family. It can carry up to eight passengers comfortably. There is also an option to go for the seven-seater version. The vehicle has 34.8 cubic feet of headroom for front seats while the middle seats have 34.9 cubic feet of headroom, and the rear seats have 34.5 cubic feet of headroom. Shoulder room is 66.4 cubic feet in the front and 65.6 cubic feet in the rear while legroom measures 42.5 cubic feet and 40.9 cubic feet, respectively.
Battery, Range, and Engine Specs
The Toyota Sequoia is an SUV built and designed to last for years. Unfortunately, the battery starts to wear down and lose charge with time. If you notice that your SUV struggles to start, it is time for you to invest in a new one.
For the 2013 model year, the Toyota Sequoia discontinued its 4.6-liter V8 engine option, and the 5.7-liter V8 became standard on all models. The Sequoia is only available with a 381-horsepower V-8 engine delivering 401 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with either four- or rear-wheel drive. Vehicles like the Toyota Sequoia belong to the thirsty V8 category and are, thus, heavy on the gas. EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2018 model are a modest 17 on the highway and 13 mph in the city for a combined rating of 14.8.
Sequoia comes with a 26.4-gallon fuel tank, which gives it an average range of 343.20 miles for city driving and 448.80 miles on the highway. It only needs regular unleaded gas. Though the SUV is built on a pickup truck chassis, its rear suspension boasts a modern design. It comes with light steering that is easy to control, and it goes from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, comparing favorably with many competitors. With this acceleration and its towing capacity of 7,000 pounds, it’s a great choice for those who need to tow a trailer or boat.
Trims and Features
Starting in 2018, Sequoia offered four trim levels: the SR5, Limited, Platinum and the most recent addition, the TRD Sport. Its rear-wheel drive and V8 engine are standard. Sequoia’s base SR5 trim comes with a wide range of safety features and tech and amenities such as leather seats. A unique feature of the Sequoia that makes it stand out from its competitors is a rear power window that rolls down. The 2018 “refresh” gave the model new features including standard LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights.
Before you make a choice, it’s wise to learn what to expect from each trim level. The Toyota Sequoia is a vehicle that gives priority to durability over luxury, and you can tell this from the interior, which is similar to that of the Toyota Tundra, its truck cousin with hard plastic surfaces and large buttons. However, the interior has been designed with the user in mind, offering a high level of comfort even when towing heavy loads and doing a good job of suppressing tire and wind noise. You can travel long distances without feeling exhausted.
Safety
Starting with the 2018 model year, the Sequoia offers the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver aids as standard equipment, which is one of the things that pushes up its value. Designed to assist the driver’s awareness, decision-making and vehicle operation, this integrated system includes a pre-collision system with vehicle and pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-departure alert and automatic high beams.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) operates under the federal government’s Department of Transportation (DoT). NHTSA’s primary duty is to conduct various crash tastes to find out the safety of various cars. It then scores the findings on certain parameters. While it has not tested the Toyota Sequoia for frontal or side crashes, the agency gives all models from 2011 through 2019 four stars for rollovers. While the Sequoia did not qualify for the agency’s top five-star rating, its four-star rating means cars from these model years would be less likely than many others to flip in case of an impact or skid.
Reliability
The Toyota Sequoia has above-average reliability, with a score of 82 out of 100 from J.D. Power for the 2019 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD and 80 out of 100 for the same model in 2018. Toyota backs the Sequoia with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The manufacturer also protects this model against rust for five years with unlimited mileage, offers free maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles and roadside assistance for three years, with no limit on mileage.
The Takeaway
Although some consider it dated compared to some of its competitors that have been more frequently redesigned, the Toyota Sequoia comes with a wide range of essential features that many users would find beneficial. It’s a great choice for a family vehicle or one that frequently needs to go off-road or tow a heavy load. Its cargo space is abundant, and it delivers a comfortable ride considering its size.
If you have read this review in its entirety, chances are that you’re a fan of this vehicle and would like to own it one day.
