First Drive: The 2023 Toyota Sequoia Is Good but Shouldn’t Be
We are still getting to know the Toyota Sequoia this week, and something about it doesn’t make sense. This robust SUV makes us happy, but some issues could frustrate drivers. The good outweighs the bad with the 2023 Toyota Sequoia.
How does the 2023 Toyota Sequoia drive?
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia dropped the beloved V8 engine for the iFORCE Max hybrid setup. It pairs a 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor to generate 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. This is a solid and addicting amount of power.
It propels the Sequoia from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.6 seconds. The acceleration is instant with smooth transmission shifts. It’s pretty easy to be traveling over the speed limit without noticing. The steering is direct, and the Sequoia corners well.
The 2023 Sequoia has no body roll or lean around curves unless you take a hairpin turn like a rally driver. But the brakes are a bit soft, and the suspension may jostle over rough patches of pavement.
Plus, visibility is limited! The 2023 Sequioa has massive towing mirrors that block your view around turns. The rear window is pretty tiny, and the third-row headrests block your view. It can be hard to tell if a sedan is behind you.
The 20.1-foot turning radius is convenient. The Sequioa is agile and easy to maneuver in tight areas. People keep saying how big it looks, but it doesn’t feel massive at all.
How is the Toyota Sequoia interior?
We’re testing the mid-tier 2023 Toyota Sequoia Platinum trim. We don’t have the super-loaded Capstone model. But the interior is attractive with leather-covered surfaces and textured plastics. The blue ambient lighting provides the right vibes.
The cabin is impressively quiet at highway speeds, and you can hear an occasional deep engine roar that’s very satisfying. However, you can also hear an occasional hybrid engine whine. While parked, the engine fans go at full blast, attracting attention from bystanders.
The top front seats provide plenty of comfort and support to keep any back happy for hours. But the bottom cushions seem flat. Also, our model doesn’t have pedal adjustments, so shorter drivers have to scoot up against the wheel.
There are tons of storage cubbies, but the Ford Expedition offers more space. The center console has tons of lids and different sections. It can be distracting to access the main compartment.
We’re still getting to know the second and third rows, but they’re a little cramped. Average-sized adults can enjoy the second row, but the third row is for smaller kids. The official MotorBiscuit pup, Bruce, wanted more space to enjoy. Also, the organization system in the rear may get in the way.
The Sequoia tech has a learning curve
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia has an attractive 14.0-inch infotainment system, but it doesn’t have a home button. There is a Toyota App to take you back to the home screen from Apple CarPlay, but getting a text jumps back to the Apple CarPlay menu. Also, The air conditioning controls have toggles instead of knobs.
We aren’t sure when the automatic air dam is on auto mode, but it’s supposed to retract automatically at lower speeds. It can be controlled manually, but it seems easy to forget about and accidentally scrape.
The Sequioa is loaded with safety features, but the steering assist and lane-keeping assist systems let you go pretty far over the line before kicking in. Also, the digital gauge cluster is vibrant and useful but isn’t as customizable as the options in rivals.
There are potential reasons to be bothered by the Sequoia, but we can’t stop praising it. It looks great, has an excellent performance, and has incredible upgrades over the previous generation. Stay tuned as we continue learning about the Sequioa and processing our feelings.
