The 2023 Toyota Sequoia Can Tow More Than Some New Tundra Pickup Trucks
Toyota completely redesigned its Sequoia for 2023. The company migrated its full-size SUV to a new chassis shared by its full-frame vehicles around the world–including the Tundra pickup truck. But Toyota is only offering the Sequoia with the Tundra’s top engine option. As a result, an entry-level 2023 Sequoia can tow more than some Tundras.
How much can the 2023 Toyota Sequoia tow?
According to Toyota, the 2023 Sequoia (in 2WD) will have a maximum tow rating of 9,520 pounds. A 4WD version of this third-row SUV will only be able to tow about 9,100 pounds.
The full-size, truck-based SUV with the highest tow rating is Stellantis’ Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer. This third-row SUV has an incredible 9,750-pound maximum tow rating. But unlike the Sequoia, the Wagoneer offers several engine options. Most Wagoneers cannot tow nearly as much as an entry-level Sequoia.
When TFL Truck first got its hands on the new Toyota Sequoia hybrid, it immediately tested the SUV out by towing a 5,000 and 7,000 pound trailer. The results were impressive. The engine accelerated smoothly, its shifts barely discernible, even with a load. In addition, the swap back to a solid rear axle made the latest Sequoia especially stable while towing.
How much can the Toyota Tundra tow?
Toyota launched the third generation of the Tundra for the 2022 model year. With an available hybrid engine, the automaker increased the Tundra’s tow rating by over a ton, to 12,000 pounds.
Not every new Tundra has the powerful hybrid, i-FORCE MAX engine. In fact, the entry-level Tundra SR comes with a de-tuned version of the standard Tundra’s twin-turbocharged V6.
While the hybrid in top-trim Tundras and the new Sequoia makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, the entry-level V6 is much less powerful. The SR only offers 348 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. In some configurations, the Tundra’s tow rating is just 8,300 pounds.
Is the Toyota Sequoia a better tow vehicle than the Toyota Tundra?
With a 9,520 pound tow rating, the 2023 Sequoia is nothing to scoff at. That said, it also starts at $58,300. The Tundra’s minimum tow rating is just 8,300 pounds, but it starts at $34k. For about $58k, you can equip a Tundra to tow 12,000 pounds.
The Toyota Sequoia has a very impressive tow rating for an SUV. But it costs more than a truck and also has a higher curb weight. If you need three rows of seating and want to pull a trailer, the Sequoia is the Toyota you need.
But if your only goal is incredible towing capacity, look hard at the Toyota Tundra. Every new Tundra has four doors, and its available CrewMax cab has plenty of room for adults in the rear seat. For a Sequoia’s MSRP, you can load a Tundra up with towing packages and a premium hybrid engine.
Next, see TFL Truck’s review of the 2023 Sequoia’s towing capabilities in the video below:
