The Toyota Sequoia now comes with the same bones as the 3rd generation Land Cruiser in the US Market.
Domestically, the large SUV game isn’t a very hotly contested one. Those with lots of cash to burn get a grey market Land Cruiser and call it a day. Some prefer a Range Rover or G Wagon. Maybe the odd Defender will come and cause a stir, but otherwise, things are calm. In the USA however, this is a segment of the car market full of competition. They’ve got big SUVs that many Malaysians may have probably never even heard of before. And one of those is the Toyota Sequoia. Today, the third generation of the Sequoia was just launched and boy are the Americans excited.
The new Sequoia has been redesigned from the ground up and now sits on the GA-F body-on-frame chassis, just like the latest Toyota Land Cruiser. It features a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine carrying the ‘i-FORCE MAX’ being the only engine option available. That’s right, even Americans aren’t getting big V8 engines anymore.
This V6 hybrid motor produces 437 horsepower and 790Nm of torque, which is way more than enough to get this beast moving. A 10-speed conventional automatic is paired to either a 2WD or part-time 4WD system, depending on the grade.
The 4WD system features a transfer case that allows users to switch between 2WD, 4WD high or 4WD low. The new powertrain comes with a Drive Mode Select, which lets users switch between Eco, Normal and Sport modes.
The Toyota Sequoia has independent front suspension and a new rack-mounted electronic power steering system, more modern multi-link rear suspension and Load-Levelling Rear Height Control Air Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension, which is great for those who tow.
The three rows of seats can be configured depending on grade. The middle row of passengers can either get a bench or captain’s chairs. Regardless, they can fold down or tumble forward when more cargo room is required. Toyota has also designed the Sliding Third Row with Adjustable Cargo Shelf System.
Standard features on the Sequoia include:
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.5
- Moonroof
- heated seats
- 12.3″ digital instrument display
- panoramic view monitor
Optional equipment includes:
- 14″ infotainment display
- powered third row seats
- hands-free liftgate
- softex seats
- 120-volt power outlets
- heated and ventilated front seats with memory
- heated steering wheel
- power-folding third row
- hands free powered tailgate
- heated and ventilated front and second-row captain’s chairs
- 14-speaker JBL® Premium Audio system
- panoramic moonroof
- Head-Up Display
- High-grade LED headlights and taillights
- sequential turn signals
- Rain-sensing wiper
- Qi wireless charging
Toyota Sequoia Top Spec Models
While there are 5 grades to choose from, the Sequoia TRD Pro is undoubtedly the one to get if money is not a problem and you love off-roading. It comes with all the premium kit available, plus some TRD extras such as a heated steering wheel, TRD accents on the seats and shift knob, a TRD roof rack, TRD-tuned FOX internal bypass shocks, aluminium TRD front skid plate, as well as a selectable locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, CRAWL Control and Downhill Assist Control, dual TRD Pro exhaust tips, a TRD light bar, marker lights, 18″ TRD Alloy wheels and an increased offset to the wheels.
For a less rugged looking Sequoia, the flagship ‘Capstone’ grade trades the TRD Pro’s black painted accessories for more chrome and the interior is a lot more luxurious. It is also the only grade with LED mood lighting and acoustic glass in the front doors.
