2023 Toyota Sequoia Has Hot New Looks, Including a Paint Job Rivaling Oklahoma State’s Orange
Chastity Velasquez
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The 2023 Toyota Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro Hybrid is a head-turner and it’s ideal for people who want the attention. And a lot of power. And some great technology. For the first time in 14 years, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia has been completely redesigned. And people have taken notice!
The new look can be encapsulated in two words: beefed up. The previous look was a bit rounded and this new one has a more squared, boxy look. It’s big, bold and imposing on the road. The front grille is gorgeous and underneath the Toyota name is a light bar for additional visibility. It’s a really fun touch.
Related: The 2023 Toyota Sequoia, a Favorite Family SUV, Is Back With a New Look And Even More Muscle
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a fun ride! Photo by: Chastity Velasquez
What I loved about the 2023 Toyota Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro Hybrid
People will come for the dazzling color, cooling seats, and comfortable interior. But read along for the other things I loved, the things that will make people stay.
Never get lost when the navigation is on a 14″ touchscreen Photo by: Chastity Velasquez
The Large Touchscreen
Large is an understatement when it comes to this touchscreen. The 14” screen was the first thing that caught my eye when I sat in the vehicle. Yes, it’s impressive and large, but it isn’t overwhelming because the interior is spacious. We took the Sequoia on a road trip to Oklahoma, and it was nice to have the route displayed prominently.
Related: Technology that Looks Out for You on the Road? Toyota Safety Sense Driver Assistance and Safety Technology, At Your Service
Go POKES! Photo by: Chastity Velasquez
The Brightest Paint
My husband and I drove up to Stillwater in this vehicle to see our nephew graduate from Oklahoma State University. In case you aren’t familiar with OSU, it’s known as America’s Brightest Orange.
So as we pull up to the graduation ceremony in the Sequoia, we got plenty of “Pistols Firing” hand gestures and others shouting Go Pokes. Of course, we had to take a photo with the matching OSU ride in front of the football stadium. But don’t worry, if orange isn’t your color there are 10 other options to choose from.
Related: If You’re in the 2022 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 TRD Pro, You’re Going Places
Toyota Sequoia Off-Roading Capabilities
Equipped with the new I-FORCE MAX Twin Turbo V6 Hybrid that produces 583 pound-feet of torque and 437 horsepower. This car is pretty but has a lot of power, perfect for those outdoor adventures. My model was equipped with a part-time 4-wheel drive system.
Speaking of 4-wheel drive, the TRD PRO model is also equipped with 33-inch all-terrain tires and multi-terrain, crawl control, and haul drive modes.
Plenty of space in the Toyota Sequoia Photo by: Chastity Velasquez
Luxurious and Comfortable
Seven adults can fit in the vehicle comfortably. My 6’3” husband sat in the 3rd row and wasn’t cramped! That in itself is a modern-day miracle. Not only that, but the 3rd row can lay flat, recline and adjust forward if wanting more cargo space.
What I found the most comfortable was that the front seats had heated, cooling, and power lumbar controls. The seats are incredibly comfortable, making road trips a breeze.
The interior features the TRD Pro SofTex-trimmed seats with a technical camo pattern. The same technical camo pattern is used on the over fender, making the outside of the vehicle even more rugged and unique.
Interior of Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro Photo by: Chastity Velasquez
What Additional Amenities Dazzled Me?
The center console is large enough to store a medium size purse or large electronic devices as well as two front cup holders and back center cup holders. The rearview mirror flips to a rearview camera, which is a wonderful feature I like using at nighttime.
Other technology features include the ability to simultaneously connect two phones via Bluetooth wireless phone charger; USB-C charge port; standard USB ports; and additional ports in the third row.
Whether you want to document your off-roading trip, the excitement of your family on a trip around town, or simply want to video how much fun you’re having in the Sequoia, the integrated dashcam is a fun feature. Not only can the camera record your trip, but the G-force sensors can record footage before, during, and after an accident. Owners can download the dash cam app and view footage that has been recorded, check vehicle speed and location. So cool!
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro Hybrid Photo by: Chastity Velasquez
Who This SUV is For
- Buyers who want an SUV with luxury amenities
- Adventurers who want to haul their boats, kayaks, and other toys
- Drivers who want the off-road capabilities
- Large families
What you need to Know
The car sticker says the vehicle should get between 20-22 mpg, however we averaged 15 mpg both in the city and highway. It also has a surprisingly small tank. We filled up multiple times on our trip and could only get 15 gallons opposed to the 22 gallon tank capacity it states it has. The Sequoia is only available with the twin-turbo V6 hybrid drivetrain.
Like most SUVs with a third row, the cargo space isn’t anything to write home about. It features between 11 to 22 cubic feet of cargo space depending where the sliding seats are positioned. Which is plenty of space for about 3 suitcases stacked on top of each other. When the 3rd row seats are folded down, you have a massive 49 cubic feet of cargo area.
The vehicle is a bit noisy when driving on the freeway. With a roof rack, I think that attributed to most of the wind noise. However, I feel like this is something to be expected when purchasing a rugged vehicle.
What This SUV Costs
Pricing for the 2023 Toyota Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro Hybrid starts at $76,000. The vehicle I drove was $80,500 which included the power extending tow mirrors, Solar Octane paint color, TRD roof rack, ball mount, and dash cam.
Disclosure: I was provided the Toyota Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro Hybrid for this test drive; all opinions are my own.
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