The starting price for a car, truck, or SUV can inform buyers of the lowest amount they should expect to pay for a model — excluding taxes, fees, and destination charges — but a base MSRP doesn’t always tell the full story. Some models are extremely well-equipped in their base guises, while others are spartan, requiring buyers to spend more on a higher trim or options to meet even relatively basic needs. The Toyota Sequoia, the brand’s full-size SUV, has been revamped for 2023 and now carries a significantly higher base price. So, is the 2023 Sequoia realistic for buyers to be content with the base model, or should they expect to spend more for it to meet their needs?

The 2023 Sequoia’s base price is significantly higher than the 2022 model

The 2023 Sequoia starts at $58,365, an increase of nearly $8,000 over the MSRP of the model it replaces. However, this price hike can be considered justifiable considering the Sequoia is now exclusively a hybrid model, borrowing the 3.4-liter V6 hybrid powertrain also available in the Tundra pickup. It is also far more modern than the outgoing model.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia now carries a higher base MSRP than some of its rivals — it commands a few thousand more than the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition — with the 2023 price hike.

The Sequoia is available in five trims with plenty of optional extras offered

Buyers could pay significantly more, however. The 2023 Toyota Sequoia is available in five trims, and all but the AWD-only TRD Pro come standard with rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive requiring an additional $3,000.

The base SR5 model can be had with nine stand-alone options or packages. The more notable options include the Premium Package ($2,635), featuring a 14-inch center display, synthetic leather-trimmed seats, a power-folding third row, a hands-free liftgate, and two 120V power supplies. The Premium Package can also be decked out with additional features like tow mirrors, a heated steering wheel, the Tow Technology Package, a digital rearview mirror, and other features.

Buyers can also dish out more for a higher trim. The Limited model starts at $64,765 and includes some more upmarket features like synthetic leather upholstery, a 14-inch display, and heated/ventilated front seats. The Platinum commands $70,965 and includes genuine leather seats, second-row captain’s chairs, wireless charging, a panoramic moonroof, and other creature comforts.

The TRD Pro ($76,065) is the off-road specialist of the group, with plenty of all-terrain features like an electronic locking rear differential, standard all-wheel drive, a front skid plate, and Fox front coil overs. The Capstone tops the range at $75,365 and features premium leather upholstery, a head-up display, 22-inch wheels, added sound-deadening materials, and wood interior trim.

Should buyers expect to pay the 2023 Sequoia’s base price?

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia costs far more than the 2022 model in its base guise, but many buyers won’t necessarily need to dish out more than the $58,365 it commands for a proficient full-size SUV. The base SR5 model has many desirable features, including 18-inch wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, a moonroof, heated front seats, an eight-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and a digital gauge cluster.

The 2023 Sequoia’s extensive suite of safety features is impressive. It includes adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure and lane-keep systems, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and more.

To boot, its hybrid powertrain returns up to 22 combined mpg, according to the EPA, significantly higher than its main competitors.

The Sequoia’s long list of standard features and hybrid powertrain means its base MSRP of $58,365 is a realistic price to pay for buyers seeking a full-sized family hauler that isn’t bare bones. For buyers planning to keep the Sequoia to the paved paths and those that don’t necessarily need towing features, the revamped model is an attractive choice at its base price.