As a three-row SUV, Toyota has given the 2023 Sequoia a completely new design. It rides on the same platform as the Toyota Tundra and Lexus LX600, plus it has a single powertrain. Under the hood of every 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a 3.4-liter V6 engine known as the iForce MAX. This engine benefits from an electric motor, meaning this full-size SUV is now only available as a hybrid.
Will the 2023 Toyota Sequoia have a V8?
Unfortunately, if you want an SUV with a V8, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia is not it The Sequoia uses the same engine as the new Tundra, a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 hybrid. Although it’s only a six-cylinder, the engine makes 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque.
It is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, which works well enough. The 2023 Sequoia comes standard with rear-wheel drive. However, for those who want four-wheel power, most configurations can be optioned with four-wheel drive. The TRD Pro model comes standard with 4WD, which helps it have even better off-road cred.
The 2023 Sequoia isn’t cheap
Price-wise, the new Toyota Sequoia is not an SUV for anyone on a budget. It has a starting MSRP of $58,300, and the top-of-the-line Capstone Sequoia is priced at $75,300. That means the 2023 Sequoia costs about the same as a new Lexus LX600.
For the price, this three-row SUV comes fairly well equipped. The 2023 Sequoia SR5 comes with a 360-degree camera and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5. According to the car and the driver, the Limited trim can claim the best value. It comes with more standard features than the base SR5, including a 14.0-inch touchscreen and heated seats.
What are the disadvantages of a hybrid SUV?
Hybrid SUVs aren’t perfect, and downsides include things like higher point-of-entry costs and complicated systems. A hybrid SUV will generally be more expensive than an SUV with a traditional gas engine. And, when it comes time for service, you may find yourself paying more.
That said, Toyota is no stranger to the world of hybrid powertrains. The brand was one of the early adopters of the technology with the Prius. According to MotorTrend, the new hybrid V6 is powerful and performs well. And from personal experience driving a 2022 Tundra with the same engine, it could easily be mistaken for a V8 if you didn’t know.
Is the 2023 Sequoia good off-road?
In terms of off-road performance, the Sequoia offers a dedicated trim level. The 2023 Sequoia TRD Pro also features faux dampers, a front skid plate and even a locking rear differential. Given its high price, it’ll be interesting to see if anyone actually takes this full-size SUV off-road, but Toyota hasn’t shied away from delivering that capability.
The Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro starts at $76,000 and that’s before options. It benefits from a more aggressive look than the standard variant, but it’s worth noting that fuel economy takes a small hit.