2023 Toyota Sequoia / What Happened!?

Long known for big size, a thirsty v8, and bulletproof reliability, everything has changed. As we wait to see if it can prove its trustworthiness, let’s see if the Sequoia can take on the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Jeep Wagoneer and Nissan Armada!
Thank you, Royal South Toyota, for letting me test drive a Sequoia!
Royalsouthtoyota.com
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[@Realistick]

QUICK CORRECTION: The previous gen sequoia also had coil springs! (and IRS fwiw)

[@ryancruz1074]

“…the price shoots up erratically like a DoorDash order” 😂

[@ScampDiesel]

I just like how Sequoia is made to fit in a garage, and has all the vowls in one word.

[@honda116969]

"The available mirrors designed to give pedestrians concussions" 😂😂😂😂

[@honda116969]

You seem like a cool dude I like your videos 👍👍💯

[@rileyjones750]

Looks good but cargo space is too limited 😢

[@bluethundar]

I appreciate your honest and unbiased review. I have been waiting for the new Sequoia since it was announced. I have a 2003 4WD that I bought new back in 2002. Now 260K miles later it still runs quite well, with most of its original parts. Front door release latch and rear door latch had to be replaced a couple times, and recently replaced the power steering rack and radiator. She can go another 10 yrs 100K miles easily. But she's showing her age and I am due for a new one after 20 yrs. I so look forward to the new design and that power train is a monster. BUT like you said, the interior space and ride quality IS a deal breaker for me. I will need to judge the ride quality when I have a chance to test drive one, but I have a feeling I will agree with you. Lots of reviewers out there seem to be part of Toyota dealerships or just plain Toyota fanboys, they have nothing but great things to say about the new Sequoia, they fail to mention any drawback.

[@ausreaction]

Thumbnail is an absolute W! 👏

[@user-cy1kf4jl4q]

Interior , exterior , and powertrain are incredible ! Will purchase !

[@Spacemonster2024]

What an absolute MONSTER!!! 😈

[@earls.newsomeiii5638]

I also added the K&N Air Filter to the Air Flow Accelerator on both vehicles basically the same as the TRD air filter

[@highplainsdrifter9849]

Need to change the front of Tundra to look like the Sequoia front end. Looks way better.

[@pipin447]

I like your review, what do you think of the Toyota Sienna?

[@alexpmo]

thumbnail had me dead 😂

[@makeitmakesense411]

Love the in between music

[@tanyaflynn5]

Great review! I have been waiting for the cargo truth… and thankfully you provided. Mom of 3 here, currently have the 2020 trd pro which I will stick with. Need cargo space and like the “hallway walkway” not interested in flipping up seats with car seats/boosters, or walking over this “mini” console. Hopefully, soon sequoia will go XL and compete with the suburban 🤞

[@amiraldomiranda5437]

Amazing 😮

[@TheOriginal-LSA_AudioEngineer]

Finally! 👍🏼

[@markcoopers1930]

Peak Torque at 2,400 and horsepower up high. Even with the extra weight on paper this sounds like a good mix of throttle dynamics both for just cruising at speed and then putting the pedal down to pass. The LS by comparison has peak torque at 15-1600, and then horsepower takes over from there. Makes it surprisingly fun and responsive throttle for a large luxury sedan, but there isn't a lot of buffer for laxidazical and easy highway cruising at 65-75 mph. (Comparing because this Sequoia seems to have been updated nicely inside design and price wise to approach luxury territory. And the Tahoe/Escalade rule basically says truck based SUVs are secretly luxury vehicles by American standards) At least if keeping your engine in low stress for the boring roads constantly floats in the back of your mind like it does mine....

[@Realistick]

It’s a good powertrain for sure but after driving the hybrid and the standard tundra, response is quite similar, I wish i could have towed with it so that i could test that theory as others have said it doesn’t really do anything at high speeds.

[@firstlast7099]

Wife: “How much is the new Sequoia?” Me: “Maybe we should buy a house, they’re cheaper.”

[@noob.168]

huh? rent in LA for a 1 room per year is more expensive than this car.

[@firstlast7099]

@@noob.168 Yes, people live in some crazy places.

[@haidercoversynthpianomusic747]

Good video good SUV

[@mr.c493]

Man those prices are insane. I have my 2018 sr5 4x4 with the tech package under 50k miles on the clock. I thought about maybe a trade but it’s such a nice and reliable truck that I decided to keep it. The gas mileage is not the best but I really don’t drive much. The third row is huge compared to the new one. I’ll pass on the new one for now. I love the look, but very pricey!!

[@alengreen589]

It´s good i like it 👍.

[@aahdxuxiznwnd2044]

Good luck finding one.

[@MandusahRamirez]

I like how you said 3.4 Twin Turbo instead of 3.5 because Toyota made the Bore .1 smaller than the 3.5 Twin Turbo in the Lexus LS for reliability reasons seeing as this engine will work harder in The Sequoia & Tundra.

[@highbrass3749]

Why would they make it smaller?

[@dolamyte]

That’s not entirely correct. It’s common to drop displacement and compression in order to increase turbo pressures and engine output. Volvo did this too with their various white blocks. All models got a 2.5 NA or turbo, with the turbo producing 190hp and 199ft/lbs (83mm bore, 90mm stroke @ 10.5:1). Move up to the T5 and R performance models displacement dropped to 2.3l but allowed a much bigger turbo producing 237hp and 243ft/lbs (80mm bore, 90mm stroke @ 8.5:1 compression). I haven’t dug into it but there may be non-reliability reasons for the smaller displacement.

[@andybub45]

Incorrect. It has always been the 3.4 in the LS

[@ruggedindsoup2135]

I love the Sequoia grill! It looks great. Hate the Tundra grill.

[@Pistolpete218]

Unless you’re always towing, definitely a hard pass on the tow mirrors 😂

[@drw1926]

No doubt!

[@shawnwatson6535]

I like it more than the Tundra. I'll probably never own one because it's far too expensive! Thanks, but no thanks, Toyota for making it look intriguing, and putting it out of my reach. That makes me sad.😒

[@CBtheMechanic_]

Looks like an SUV RoboCop would drive

[@Richard-xv7yf]

Was thinking that same thing. This one kinda has law enforcement vibes

[@CBtheMechanic_]

@@Richard-xv7yf definitely

[@vstan9023]

Happy Friday cars enthusiasts 🥂

[@RotchildFrancoisJr]

3:29 😂😂

[@Realistick]

One of my better impromptu playboi carti jokes

[@100M2B]

It seems like Toyota people really don't understand why more and more people are buying the aging 4Runner year after year. The new Sequoia is a missed opportunity.

[@TreadReview]

If they made it without the hybrid and a truly flat storage area, we would have bought it over the Tahoe. Finally got a Diesel Tahoe order locked in....almost 30 mpg and a flat cargo area.

[@chrisd5383]

The several AZ Toyota dealers in az want $110k out the door for a mid level trim. No thanks

[@saturnfire]

I am glad I decided not to trade in my 2008 Sequoia. Still going strong...It might even out live me...Not so sure of this one...

[@jeffreymarks8657]

Jokes are getting better :)

[@honda116969]

It almost has as much room in the backseat as my Tacoma 😂

[@Realistick]

Lmao nowhere close the backseat of this is still large, just not as big as before

[@trippplefive]

i mean, you can dream...i guess?

[@honda116969]

Jk. Tacoma is decent but nothing like full size trucks or SUV. My my seat has plenty of room that's all I'm worried about I don't usually drive with many people and if I do & there in my backseat they can shut up or drive their own vehicle 😂

[@HaroldCombs]

Glad this review isn’t just excuses. Seem to me: The business case for the sequoia just wasn’t there with IRS. They weren’t manufactured in San Antonio. They had significant manual steps to production. This way they can “send the sequoia down the same line” as the tundra (so the chief engineer said in a TFL interview). It’s basically “free” from a COGS standpoint and just strengthens the business case for Tundra. Is this a recipe for mediocrity? Yes. Is it straight out of the 1980s GM handbook? Also yes. As was all but said here: Buy the 4Runner or the excellent Lexus GX. This is an also ran truck.

[@RJ-vc2ju]

Didn't notice whether you mentioned this in your video but a huge difference is that the previous gen has selectable full-time 4WD available, with a lockable centre Torsen differential. Not sure who would buy a family SUV that isn't able to drive around all winter in 4HI with an open centre-diff. It's funny how Toyota cheaped out on this Sequoia as this Torsen centre diff is standard on the LX600, and the LC300. Major fail by Toyota.

[@Realistick]

It’s a cool feature for sure but I guess it depends on where and who you are. My parents had an 08 and only switched it to 4hi if there was snow and ice present on the road. I do the same in my Tacoma and have never really had a big desire to have a full time system, even after going many hours through a Michigan snow storm. Maybe my opinion would change after owning one. They got rid of it and the IRS to make it as cheap as possible to manufacture alongside the tundra as the sequoia has sold poorly for awhile.

[@SG-js2qn]

I think it could benefit from using the new bipolar batteries. There's so few Sequoias made and sold, surely they could move some away from the Crown line to upgrade the Sequoias. I suspect it could give a 20% boost to mileage. The current battery is too small and it doesn't charge / discharge fast enough. Maybe next year. (sigh) I agree about the weird use of white on the interior. That's going to get dirty. Better to use an earth tone to conceal that a little better.

[@Realistick]

An interesting proposition, I didn't hear about the bipolar batteries until researching just now! The Crown 2.5l hybrid that uses that system uses a parallel hybrid which has the E CVT which is extremely different from the hybrid max (series hybrid) of the Crown Platinum which doesn't have the bipolar batteries. There's probably some reason that they didn't use it in both as one powerplant is geared more for efficiency and the other performance.

[@SG-js2qn]

@@Realistick The bipolar batteries were announced a bit ago, but there's been next to no information on them. In fact, what you just said was news to me, and I've been looking for info. lol

[@Realistick]

@@SG-js2qn hopefully when they do more press events with the Crown, they will divulge more on it so we're all in the loop!

[@bobd1103]

very poor design, with 7 passenger u need trunk space for 7 NEED XL MODEL, will wait for next year for them to make changes also to the shuddering from hybrid to engine reminds me of driving a GMC yuhkon where it shudders from a V8 to a V6

[@kh9242]

That third row needs to go

[@bobd1103]

yes WHAT HAPPENED ? Y IS IT LOWER THAN previous models

[@679corvette]

Just finished a trip from Austin to Dallas in my 2020 Sequoia Platinum getting 21mpg going 70-75 mph. I installed the air accelerator like I had on my 2011 Tundra that I traded in on this Sequoia. Went in to buy a new Tundra and ended up leaving with the Sequoia because of the driving dynamics and that 5.7 reliability.

[@tedlu008]

21 that’s very good for the sequoia. Thanks for bring up the air intake accelerator. Will look into it.

[@reyperez3424]

Really? It’s rated to 13/17 and you got 21 That’s hard to believe especially when going over 70/75 mph Usually 65 mph is the best for MPG

[@tedlu008]

I got 20 mpg on my 2019 sequoia using adaptive cruise at 70 mph on highway. Tire pressure 37psi.

[@michaelmaas5544]

My ‘03 Sequoia gets about 13-15 😂🎉

[@tedlu008]

@Nomen Clature that’s very good consider it’s 4x4 and about same weight as sequoia

[@alb6804]

I have the limited. If you can afford it it's a Beast!! I'm happy with it.

[@enkrypt3d]

the only draw backs I see is the rear design looks too much like a minivan, and the non-removable 3rd row :(

[@Shmity1962]

No hybrid for me, on to other manufacturers

[@mountainhobo]

This is a serious misstep for Toyota.

[@Realistick]

Agreed, the old one didn’t sell super well but I think it still had more of unique appeal with less tradeoffs. I think with a serious refresh to the suspension and a non hybrid variant (to help with the cargo space) this could be improved a lot.

[@mountainhobo]

@@Realistick Plus seriously improved cargo area (size and flat floor). Right now it's a fail.

[@Chechenzko]

Is it me or thid guy is like a slower paced version of Doug DeMuro!?

[@Realistick]

it's you

[@earls.newsomeiii5638]

Used TRD Air Flow Accelerator , K & N Filter, 37 PSI, and my truck is RWD

[@321thach]

This truck was designed to take your family on any road. Take your Tahoe or Suburban Off Road see how far it can go

[@Realistick]

Outside of a solid rear axle, I’m not sure how big of an advantage it would have, especially against a Z71. Maybe at the absolute max but you’d have to be a real madman to reach that in a $70k SUV

[@321thach]

@@Realistick then you absolutely don’t know about car if you don’t know the different. There’s a reason the Toyota Land Cruiser was the number 1 choice in Australia and throughout the world as the king off-road and on road SUV. The Sequoia share the same platform and engine as the Land Cruiser and the Lexus LX series. The Tahoe or Suburban can’t match the Land Cruiser/Sequoia build quality, reliability and capability. The Sequoia can go on any terrain the Tahoe or Suburban can’t

[@Realistick]

@@321thach Cool story dude, that doesn't mean anything when the sequoia is much larger than the LC and more closely related to the Tundra with the new generation. It doesn't have the same 4 wheel drive system, kdss and shorter wheelbase. I would almost never buy a chevy but that doesn't mean I should make generalizations about their offroad prowess.

[@andybub45]

Nobody besides auto journalists will be off roading these. They are grocery getters.

[@michael50861]

Cargo is total mess. Too small for this size and very unpractical. Design is beautiful though.

[@Newday-crmy]

I certain the trophy wife's will love this. It's perfect for dropping off little Hunter at daycare before heading off to the nail salon. It's a absolutely proportionately sized errand runner and will look very smart parked next to the driveway art undriven Prius.

[@michaelmaas5544]

People don’t smile when they see you or hear your name do they?

[@eggheadegghead]

Trophy wives drive Range Rovers, GLS, Bentayga, etc. not Toyotas, lol.

[@johnnytorres277]

I love Toyota and Honda but the Sequoia is tooooo expensive. The brand new 2023 Pilot is a much better buy and better on MPG. Although , yes, the Sequoia is a true body on frame 4x4 but most people wont really go offroading on serious trails.

[@michaelmaas5544]

The Pilot isn’t even the same class of vehicle it’s more of a mid size

[@chakibchakir4374]

لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله

[@bradniemann13]

U seem like a GM fan

[@Realistick]

Definitely not. The sequoia used to be my favorite and I own a Tacoma.

[@jeffp5418]

This thing is a fail on all levels... I just hope they don't screw up the 6th gen 4Runner like this.

[@Tomorrow32]

With the new Capstone trim, the Platinum trim is absolutely unnecessary. And, you will be stupid if you get Platinum 4x4 and not the TRD Pro. Just look at the price 😎

[@Realistick]

I think you may have forgotten how rare the TRD Pro is!

[@Tomorrow32]

@@Realistick They shouldn’t be rare. Toyota will make more money by meeting the growing demand on TRD Pro.

[@Realistick]

@@Tomorrow32 call up your local dealer and tell them that😂

[@Tomorrow32]

@@Realistick I don’t care about local dealers. They are bunch of thieves any way. This is Toyota company issue.

[@bohan9957]

Gotta love inflation.

[@americandude3825]

My 08 5.7L RWD sequoia can tow 10k per the owners manual. Boooya. Toyota really ruined the 2023 sequoia. Should have used it as the new 4Runner since it’s 2 cubic feet smaller than the current 4Runner.

[@Realistick]

Yes but that’s only because in 2011 they changed the standard, if the 08-10 models used the same standard, they would tow 2000 less than this.

[@americandude3825]

@@Realistick yup. I read that. It was something to do with safety mandated requirements. Toyota was the only manufacturer to follow it at first. The article I recently read said ford and gm still don’t follow it correctly hahaha Also…I’d never tow 10k with it. Not a chance lol.

[@Nidnacron]

liked for boat horn

[@fsotomayor96]

na it looks good but not worth it

[@edwardzdankiewicz9068]

wowsers that's an expensive family truckster. In my mental map of the car market a Toyota station wagon is somewhere around $35,000

[@Realistick]

The new highlander can get you close to that!

[@willynelson9810]

Does Toyota even listen American families!!!! We need a bigger SUV than this 2023 Toyota Sequioa. I want massive suv that is not a Suburban. Is not a Grand Cherokee. Is not a Ford Expedition Max. We need a Toyota with massive interior, premium exterior, top of the line electronics. I like Toyota but their stereos are trash and camera systems are low level. We need more mpg’s, not just torque. Towing is nice for people who tow things. But for people who just want to take their family on a road trip, need space, Wi-Fi, charging ports, and entertainment 4 all. Quit being so slow to drawing board. Don’t be scared to be the leader in size, mpg’s, and style!!! And no batteries in the way for the third row passengers. I will hold my money or just buy an older suv with a chrome bumper. At least I can customize it and make it fit my large family

[@willynelson9810]

I will stick with my previous gen Toyota Sequioa! More room and rides better. Had to replace the low level sound system, parking camera, radio and interior lights. Will be upgrading my seat leather as well. Will post a finish picture when done. Don’t fall for this fake new Sequioa. It’s the size of a Grand Cherokee.

[@Realistick]

Valid reasons to skip this one but this is much larger than a Grand Cherokee, the only reason why the cargo room takes a big hit is because it has batteries. It's physically larger than the previous model (not including the weight).

[@RJ-vc2ju]

@@Realistick Actually, the biggest impact is the solid rear axle. The previous one had independent rear suspension which made a huge difference in the footwell size for the third row.

[@Realistick]

@@RJ-vc2ju A valid point too though the batteries sit over that axle and you can almost see where they sit. It's the dynamic duo of high load floors.

[@7sonero7]

The front and sides look good. Rear looks too much like a mini van.

[@pkdude5334]

looks a lot like the new Pathfinder. seems overpriced.

[@yaseradnan4217]

I will buy 2025, inshallah.

[@ibrahimbashir6634]

It can't serve its purpose !! The space !!!! Its a full size suv and its cramped 🙂😳

[@Realistick]

Cramped is an overstatement but it really sacrifices cargo area for sure

[@ibrahimbashir6634]

@@Realistick its cramped and really really cramped !! 3rd row is useless

[@Realistick]

@@ibrahimbashir6634 I can't call something cramped if i can fit in all three rows with legroom to spare at 6'3.

[@hss8973]

@Realistick This guy is just a troll, ignore him.

[@jarubhavesh2065]

India lonch

[@VlauableFather]

Overpriced

[@ianjung1164]

This car is overpriced.

[@highbrass3749]

They all are.

[@omarov_1974]

give one please. i don't have car. it's my first. do u ship to algeria?