2022 Toyota Sequoia: The 3-Row SUV Workhorse That’s Built for the Outdoors
Erica Mueller
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It’s a tank on wheels, and that’s what makes me love it.
Some vehicles just have a rugged appearance and the 2022 Toyota Sequoia is one of those. This massive beast is like a tank on wheels. It is tall, wide, and bulky, but in a really good way, a way that makes me smile as I contemplate all the fun I could have on the trails with this SUV and still haul my entire family to the beach or the mountains.
Related: The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, a Favorite Family SUV, Is Back With a New Look And Even More Muscle
These lights are really beautiful and they add to the menacing grille. Photo: Erica Mueller
A Special Kind of Workhorse
Having grown up with horses and learned all about their breeds and uses I came to appreciate that some are more suited to work in the field, while others are high-stepping show animals, comfortable for long rides, or quick on their feet for barrel racing. Coincidentally the same is true for vehicles; the 2022 Toyota Sequoia definitely identifies with the workhorse, specifically the Belgian draft horse, due to its 5.7L V8 engine that puts out 381 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of torque. The Sequoia is not a high stepping Budweiser Clydesdale with furry feet and bells in its mane; that would be an Escalade or GMC Yukon Denali.
TRD logos are strategically placed around the Toyota Sequoia 3-row SUV, including on the running board. Photo: Erica Mueller
But, thanks to its rugged build and 7,400-lb. towing capacity, the Sequoia is ready to pull your off-road toys to the trailhead and beyond like a Belgian would pull fallen trees from a forest. I’ve actually driven one of these on narrow trails meant for horseback riding through the Ozark mountains and it really impressed me with its agility.
Related: The 2022 Toyota Tundra is the Pickup Truck Everyone is Talking About
We loved the ease of entry to the third row! Photo: Erica Mueller
Comfort is Not Excluded
Most workhorses aren’t good for riding, but properly trained and outfitted you can find a comfortable ride astride one of these massive beasts. We spent our week with the 2022 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro. This means we got to experience the spacious black leather seats trimmed with bright red stitching and the TRD Pro badging. Talk about sporty saddles for this workhorse! We loved the branded floor mats in all three rows, the extra cargo space afforded by the fold-flat 3rd row, and of course those shiny black 18″ TRD Pro wheels and black cast aluminum running boards. But I think what stood out the most to us was how comfortable this vehicle is, despite its rugged appearance. The ride was particularly smooth and the seats kept us happy even on long commutes. My 6-foot tall teen sat in the third row without a problem thanks to the second-row seats which slide back and forth and gave him extra legroom. And unlike a lot of larger SUVs, the Sequoia’s third row is actually high enough to be comfortable.
The rear cabin is roomy and visibility is good, even with kids car seats installed. Photo: Erica Mueller
Another thing I have to note is that the second-row captain’s chairs not only slide forward they fold too so you can practically walk into the third row; no climbing, squeezing or crazy contortions are needed.
Related: 10 Full Size 3 Row Luxury SUVs That Will Make You Feel Like a Boss Babe
The cargo space with the third row down is unreal. You could put furniture in this thing! (Actually, we did. A bookshelf and a bench!) Photo: Erica Mueller
Sequoia Makes Costco Hauls Look Puny
I mean really. When I go to Costco in my Camry I can hardly see out the windows. The car is jam-packed full and I’ve got stuff stacked on the seats and floorboards and people passing me on the highway probably think I’ve packed my whole life into that car and I’m moving across the country. So when I stopped at Costco on the way home last week and put my huge cartload of paper and pantry goods into the back it all looked so tiny. I got curious to see if I could put those third-row seats back up and still fit it all in the smaller cargo space behind them. Yep. Without a problem.
Related: The 2023 Toyota Sequoia 3 Row SUV is All New and We Can’t Wait to Drive it!
Toyota does an amazing job of putting everything you need at your fingertips on the steering wheel. And that console shifter – ah! It just feels solid! Photo: Erica Mueller
What You Need to Know About the 2022 Toyota Sequoia
- 5.7L Force V8 Engine
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- 381 horsepower & 401lb. ft. torque
- Tow/haul mode
- TRD tuned front and rear Fox shocks
- Black TOYOTA grille
- 18″ TRD Pro wheels
- Rigid fog lamps
- TRD front skid plate & black roof rack
- Black cast-aluminum running boards
- Pre-collision with pedestrian detection
- Dynamic radar cruise control
- Lane departure alert
- Automatic high beams
- Blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
- Rear backup camera
- LED headlights
- Tilt/slide sunroof with shade
- Premium audio with 7″ touchscreen infotainment system
- Handsfree Bluetooth phone/media
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatible
Speaking of controls at your fingertips, my kids really enjoyed being able to control their own climate settings in the second row. Photo: Erica Mueller
Things We’re Looking Forward To
While the 2022 model year is a great family vehicle full of safety technology, comfort and features, there are a few things we’re looking forward to in the 2023 Toyota Sequoia which is coming out this fall. It is completely remade and you can read more about it here.
Better fuel economy. We know by now that the i-Force Max engine isn’t the fuel-efficient engine of our dreams, but it did improve the Tundra’s fuel efficiency some. After a week in the 2022 Sequoia and having to fuel up twice thanks to its 17 miles per gallon appetite I was reminded why we never actually owned a big workhorse.
More cupholders, please. I feel like this model just doesn’t offer enough places to put your drinks. Not even one for every seat. The same goes for charging options. I’d love to see some USB-C receptacles and charging on every row.
Built-in window shades. I just had a 2023 Toyota Tundra and it had these amazing pull-up shades for the second row which is where my toddler sits and whines about the sun in her eyes. As much of a family vehicle as the Sequoia is marketed to be, it seems like adding these would be a no-brainer.
Screen real estate. The media system in the 2022 model felt so outdated when I hopped in it took me a few minutes to realize why. It’s the tiny little infotainment screen that’s only about twice the size of my phone and way too far from the driver’s seat; it harkens to years gone by. The new Sequoia will have a big, beautiful, full-color screen like the Tundra’s and boy did I love that one!
The square tail lights and integrated step on the bumper on the rear end of the 2022 Toyota Sequoia is telltale that this is the last of this generation. Photo: Erica Mueller
A hybrid engine. Yes, this is coming. In fact, it will be the only option for the new Sequoia and I think that’s pretty exciting for such a large vehicle!
Better visibility? One thing I noticed in this 2022 model was how blind I felt when changing lanes. The driver’s view is blocked for over half the length of the vehicle. If it weren’t for the blind-spot monitors and alerts I think I would have been kind of nervous when passing or merging into traffic.
Either way, though, old model or new, the Sequoia will take care of all your basic needs when what you need is a work horse. And soon, you’ll get to decide just how fancy of a workhorse you want.
Click to enlarge the monroney
Disclosure: Toyota lent me this 2022 Sequoia for the week so I could experience what it’s like to live with this SUV. I discovered that I loved it and all opinions are my own.
The Toyota badge dominates the front grille of the Toyota Sequoia 3 row SUV. Photo: Erica Mueller
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