The Toyota Sequoia has been one of the brand’s premier SUVs for many years. But in a world where SUVs reign supreme, the Sequoia has had a hard time keeping up with the popularity of rivals. The newest 2021 Toyota Sequoia, however, is debuting with a special edition model, in hopes of adding some flair to a fairly bland SUV.

Toyota adds a special edition Sequoia to the lineup for the 2021 model year

According to Motor1, Toyota debuted its plans for the 2021 Sequoia SUV at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2020. Instead of debuting a completely redesigned Sequoia, Toyota revealed the addition of a new special edition to its Sequoia lineup: the Nightshade Edition.

Starting at around $60,000, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia Nightshade Edition will cost new buyers roughly $10,000 more than the base Sequoia. For buyers seeking four-wheel-drive, the Sequoia Nightshade Edition will cost even more at nearly $64,000. 

To justify the extra cost, Toyota used the Sequoia’s fanciest trim, the Sequoia Limited, as a foundation for the 2021 Sequoia Nightshade Edition, while adding extras like black exterior trim for a more “sinister look.”

As indicated by its “Nightshade” namesake, this darkened aesthetic is followed throughout the Sequoia, with darker exterior color choices, “darkened chrome badging, fog light surrounds, lower grille, and body moldings.” Inside, the Nightshade Edition gets black leather seating and upholstery.

The Nightshade Edition: the only changes to an otherwise bland SUV

Aside from the Nightshade Edition Sequoia’s addition to the lineup, Toyota didn’t change much else for the 2021 model year. In fact, the only other big change for the new model year is a new paint color choice in the TRD Pro models. All other Sequoia specs go much unchanged.

According to MotorTrend, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia will feature the same, sole engine: “a naturally aspirated 381-hp 5.7-liter V8.” All Sequoia models, aside from the TRD Pro variants, come standard with two-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive as an available option.

Specifics have been not released about most new Sequoia models, but based on the 2020 model, new buyers should expect standard equipment such as class-leading cargo capacity, three rows of passenger space, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

All Sequoia models will also come standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of safety features, which includes lane departure alert, sway warning, automatic high beams, pre-collision with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, and a rearview camera.

Starting prices for the 2021 Toyota Sequoia will begin around $50,000, while the highest Sequoia Platinum trim has a starting price of around $69,000.

When will the world see a new generation of Toyota Sequoias?

Although the Nightshade Special Edition Sequoia is new for 2021, the newest Toyota Sequoia is still part of the same generation it has been in for almost 15 years. Still in its second generation after all this time, people are wondering when Toyota is going to get around to debuting a highly-needed, new generation of Sequoias.

According to an insider that spoke to Motor1, Toyota has a new generation of Sequoia SUVs in the works, but 2022 appears to be the soonest arrival year.

While not much is known about the future generation, many believe it is long overdue. Even with modest refreshes and design changes, the current generation of Sequoia is ancient, especially when compared to other vehicles in the class.

With Sequoia sales slipping consistently over recent years, a new generation may come too little, too late. While some believe this is a mistake by Toyota, others believe that the brand may just not be eager to invest in a slipping SUV.