Toyota’s three-row Sequoia SUV will be all-new for the 2023 model year. Also new is the SUV’s top trim level: the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone. This luxurious, hybrid-powered 4×4 may just be able to fill the Land Cruiser-sized hole in our SUV market.

The Toyota Land Cruiser left a hole in the market

The Land Cruiser is one of the most iconic 4x4s in the world. Toyota developed an all-new Land Cruiser for 2022: the 300 series. But the company will not offer this SUV in the North American market. With the end of the Land Cruiser 200, that leaves us with exactly 0 Land Cruisers for sale in the US.

By the end of the Land Cruiser’s time in the United States, the SUV had morphed from a Jeep competitor into a status symbol. Yet the new Lexus LX 600, with its quilted-leather fit for a private jet just hits different.

Will the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone manage to fill the Land Cruiser-sized hole in the North American SUV market?

Every 2023 Toyota Sequoia will be a hybrid

Another major announcement with the Sequoia’s launch was that every third-generation Sequoia will be a hybrid. But Toyota’s flagship SUV will be far from a gutless Prius. Instead, its hybrid drivetrain will boast more torque than a Ford F-150 Raptor.

The secret to the new i-FORCE MAX’s performance is a powerful electric motor/generator sandwiched between its twin-turbocharged V6 and ten-speed transmission. This electric motor can accelerate the Sequoia to 18 mph, without any help from the V6. At that speed, the V6 fires up and the two work in tandem until the turbochargers kick in.

Overall, the 2023 Sequoia makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This is enough power to tow 9,000 pounds. In Sport mode it should also be relatively quick for its size.

The electric motor/generator also helps slow the SUV down and charges its batteries in the process. The result should be impressive fuel economy for a three-row SUV.

Toyota Sequoia Capstone features

Firstly, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone will stand out from lesser Sequoia trims. Its exclusive 22-inch chrome wheels are a Sequoia-first. Its power running boards, leather-trimmed seats, and American walnut trim should make for a luxurious experience.

The Sequoia Capstone will lead its class with standout features like a 14-inch touchscreen, acoustic glass, and wireless charging. It offers JBL premium audio, LED headlights, sequential turn signals, and a heads-up display.

The 2023 Capstone would not be a worthy Land Cruiser replacement unless it was one of the most capable SUVs around. And the Capstone does not disappoint. This new Sequoia can auto-level your trailer and assist you in backing up in a straight line. It features multiple driving modes for on pavement and on the trail, including off-road driver aids that were previously only available on the Tacoma and 4Runner.

It looks like the new Sequoia Capstone will be a worthy top trim of the Sequoia and the heir apparent of the Land Cruiser.