Toyota unveiled the third generation of its largest SUV, the Sequoia, at the beginning of 2022 and built it on the same platform as the rugged Tundra pickup truck.
Introduced more than two decades ago, in 2000, the Sequoia heralded Toyota’s entry in the same league with the Ford Excursion and Chevrolet Tahoe. In 2007, the Japanese carmaker introduced the second generation of its flagship SUV, apart from the Lexus brand. But it took another 14 years to launch a completely new model.

At the front, the car shared the main panels with its pickup-truck sibling, featuring similar headlights and a massive grille. Under the fat bumper, an aluminum-like shield protected the vehicle’s underbelly. From the side, the biggest Toyota SUV from its 2022 lineup boasted a straight line that emerged from the hood to the D-pillar in the back. Its enlarged wheel fenders and quarter panels evoked a stronger presence. The carmaker suggested that it might resemble a sumo warrior.

Inside, the Sequoia offers room for up to eight passengers on three seat rows in a 2-3-3 configuration, depending on the options. For the interior, Toyota installed a dashboard similar to the Tundra’s, albeit it added the trim level in front of the passenger and ambient lighting, depending on the version. In addition, a 14” touch-screen dominated the upper side of the center stack and provided Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Since it was based on the same platform as the Tundra, it featured a fully independent front suspension and a five-link in the back. The drivetrain offered a hybrid system that sends the power to the rear wheels or in all corners, depending on the trim level.

The 2019 TRD Pro was a class leader mid-size truck with a great exterior design, as well as pure off-road capabilities.
If you’re wondering what TRD stands for, it is the Toyota Racing Development. Toyota integrated some of the elements of their successful race car into the TRD Pro.

The pick-up came with the already well known 3.5-liter V6 engine developing 278 hp. While not a new engine, it proved reliable over the years. The engine was mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. Users have said that the 6-speed automatic took a while to rev up, probably a trick for a reduced fuel consumption.

The exterior design was clean, with clear lines and overall very good looking. Underneath the headlights we could find black fake vents, a small detail that changed the entire fascia if you ask me.

The fog-lamps were very small and someone could think they did not do a very good job due to their size, however, they were full LED and lightened up the road.

The big front grille was refreshed and included a modified badge; the letters of “Toyota” were spaced out.

The aggressive presence of the TRD was also completed with the hood scoop pumping out of the hood.

The Sequoia had been around with the same design since 2008, making it look a bit outdated.
The large SUV also lacked most of the latest technology such as lane departure warning and forward collision mitigating, however, it was one of the most affordable SUVs in the class. For customers looking for an 8-seater, lots of cargo space, power and a respectable off-road capability, the Sequoia would be a great choice.

The vehicle was equipped with a V8 engine developing 381 hp, mated with a 6-speed seamless automatic transmission. It was available with a rear-wheel drive or a 4 wheel drive.

The Sequoia offered adequate handling, great comfort and force, however, fuel economy was never its thing. Compared to its competitors, the large SUV was a thirsty one.

Coming in 3 trim levels, the price difference between them was significant. The base model had 18 inch alloy wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a rearview camera, an 8-speaker audio system and also a 6.1-inch touchscreen. Not bad for a base model.

The top of the range, the Platinum trim level came with an adaptive air suspension, ventilated front seats, heated second row seats, a power adjustable steering wheel and adaptive cruise control.

The second generation of the Toyota Sequoia saw the daylight in 2008, being first unveiled at the 2007 edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show.
If the first model of the car was based on an older Toyota Tundra, the new version is adapted to the counterpart edition of the Tundra and even shares some parts with it. For example, the interior, which was pretty changed from the previous version, had Tundra’s dashboard but was customized with multiple elements such as a DVD navigation system, seat coolers and sun sensors. Moreover, Toyota added a new 5.7 liter engine which develops 381 horsepower.

Based on the same chassis as the Tundra, the Sequoia was the largest vehicle on the market that wore a Toyota badge at the front.
The Japanese carmaker waited a while before entering the competition against the Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, and Chevrolet Tahoe but was fell short on punching the Excursion or the Suburban. Toyota introduced it just a few months later after the full-size Tundra.

From the front, it offered that commanding view over the road, with a truck-like grille enhanced by a chromed silver slat in the middle, matching the color of the V-8 badge. Its steep windshield resembled the one from the Tundra and was followed on top by a long roof with full-size roof rails. From its sides, depending on the options, the car featured fixed side steps. A set of body-colored plastic moldings adorned the front and rear wheel arches. Unlike its main competitors, the Tundra’s designers made a raked-forward C-pillar behind the rear doors, followed by a glass panel and blackened D-pillars, creating a wrapped-around illusion glass back with a floating roof.

Inside, Toyota offered room for eight on three seat rows. Even though the dashboard and the steering wheel resembled the Tundra, the rest of the cabin was luxurious enough to make the owner forget about the car’s pickup base. The carmaker installed a leather-clad interior, a ceiling-mounted screen for the rear passengers, and a sunroof on the top trim level.

Under the hood, Toyota installed the same 4.7-liter V-8 engine used by the Lexus LX470 and the Land Cruiser. It paired it to a four-speed automatic transmission until 2004, and then it replaced it with a five-speed automatic gearbox. For the all-wheel-drive version, Toyota installed a Torsen center differential, but the car was available as a rear-wheel-drive only as well.