Skip to main content

The Toyota Sequoia is all-new for 2023. Toyota completely redesigned its largest SUV’s drivetrain and chassis. The new Sequoia can tow 2,000 pounds more than the 2022 Sequoia. What’s more, Toyota makes every Sequoia with its premium truck engine. The resulting entry-level of this SUV can tow more than any entry-level half-ton pickup truck.

How much can the 2023 Toyota Sequoia tow?

The new 2023 Toyota Sequoia‘s maximum towing capacity is 9,520 pounds. This is for a 2WD model. A 4WD Toyota Sequoia can tow about 9,100 pounds. That’s up a full ton from the 2022 Sequoia’s max towing capacity of 7,400 pounds.

2023 toyota Sequoia SUV hitched up to an airstream camper trailer, parked on a country road.
2023 Toyota Sequoia | Toyota

The Toyota Sequoia with the maximum towing capacity is obviously equipped with any relevant heavy-duty towing packages. It must also be an SUV equipped with as few weight-increasing features as possible. That said, while the tow rating of other vehicle models varies widely between trims and configurations, all Toyota Sequoias should have similar tow ratings.

Why will all 2023 Toyota Sequoias be able to tow the same amount of weight? Because every new Sequoia will have the same drivetrain: Toyota’s premium hybrid V6, the i-FORCE MAX.

How powerful is the 2023 Toyota Sequoia’s i-FORCE MAX?

Toyota’s premium powerplant in 2023 will be the all-new i-FORCE MAX hybrid, available in the top trim Tundra trucks and all Sequoias. The i-FORCE MAX makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. All this while improving on the fuel efficiency of the outgoing V8.

The engine bay of a Toyota Sequoia SUV with its i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine badge visible.
2023 Toyota Sequoia i-FORCE MAX engine | Toyota

For the latest Sequoia redesign, Toyota tossed the old 5.7-liter V8 in favor of a hybrid drivetrain developed for the latest Land Cruiser and Tundra. The i-FORCE MAX is a 3.44-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and ten-speed automatic with a powerful electric motor/generator between the two.

The i-FORCE MAX’s motor/generator can slow the Sequoia with regenerative braking. It is also capable of launching the vehicle, smoothing out shifts, and adding some grunt in tow/haul mode.

How well does the 2023 Toyota Sequoia tow?

The first reviews of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia are in and critics are impressed. It does not only have a high tow rating, but it handles those heavy loads with ease. The new SUV also is packed with driver aid software that makes trailering a snap.

2023 Toyota Sequoia SUV towing an airstream camper trailer down a curvy, tree-lined road.
2023 Toyota Sequoia | Toyota

Andre Smirnov of The Fast Lane Truck reviewed the new Sequoia hybrid with its i-FORCE MAX and said “this hybrid is just really powerful.” He added that, thanks to the electric motor/generator, “the shifts are almost imperceptible.”

He then tested both a 5,000 pound trailer and a 7,000+ pound trailer. Smirnov concluded, “This SUV is set up for towing for sure.”

One major change to the 2023 Sequoia is losing 2022’s independent rear suspension in favor of a solid rear axle riding on coils. Smirnov believed the new setup provides, “a little more stability under heavy loads,” than the old setup.

Finally, if you configure your 2023 Sequoia with the “Tow Tech Package” Toyota outfits it with a suite of driver aid software designed for towing. This includes a Trailer Backup Guide which gives the driver the visibility to back up the trailer, and Straight Path Assist which can provide the steering input to back up your trailer for you.

You can see TFL Truck’s review of the 2023 Sequoia’s towing capacity in the video below:

Related

Your 2023 Toyota Sequoia Will Be Built in Texas

Best in SUVs
Avatar photo
Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.