Why Isn’t Anyone Buying the 2022 Toyota Sequoia?
The 2022 Toyota Sequoia is one of the best full-size SUV models available. Consumer Reports lists it as one of only two recommended full-size SUVs, along with the Ford Expedition. However, statistics show that Sequoia sales are declining rapidly. What could be the reason people aren’t buying one of the best full-size SUVs? Why isn’t anyone buying the 2022 Toyota Sequoia?
2022 Toyota Sequoia is losing sales
Although it is one of the best overall SUVs in its class, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia isn’t selling well. According to Good Car Bad Car, Toyota sold just 10 Sequoia units during May 2022. That’s a -98.74% drop from the same month in 2021. Moreover, only 458 Sequoias have sold so far in 2022. Compared to June 1, 2021, that’s an -87.28% drop in sales. From January through the end of May last year, 3,602 2021 Toyota Sequoia models were sold.
If the Sequoia is genuinely one of the best models in its class according to Consumer Reports, why such a massive change in the wrong direction? Although not as drastic, nearly every other model in the full-size SUV class is trending downward in sales. GCBC statistics show the Chevy Suburban, Ford Expedition, and Nissan Armada all saw a huge sales loss in Q1 of 2022 as well. So, is something wrong with the 2022 Toyota Sequoia? Is the full-size SUV suffering from more than just a chip shortage and supply chain issues?
Gas prices are hurting Toyota Sequoia sales
If you’re a car owner, you’ve been struggling as much as anyone else with outrageous gas prices. Worldwide, thanks to the pandemic, among other reasons, gas prices have skyrocketed. As a result, people are buying new cars, especially hybrids or all-electric models. When considering a new vehicle, customers are much more likely to lean toward hybrid or electric when it costs $5 per gallon to fill up at the pump. That’s where one of the 2022 Toyota Sequoia’s shortcomings might be impacting sales.
Firstly, the Sequoia is in a very competitive full-size SUV segment against the Chevy Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and Jeep Wagoneer. Very few of the models in its class offer a hybrid powertrain. One of those models is the 2022 Toyota Sequoia. Without hybrid availability, Sequoias get 10 city and 21 highway mpg, which will be very expensive to fill up right now. Not only is there no hybrid powertrain, but every model uses a 5.7-liter V8. Are 2022 Toyota Sequoia sales plummeting because of poor fuel economy?
The next-gen 2023 Toyota Sequoia is coming
Another reason the 2022 Toyota Sequoia isn’t selling well is that the next-gen 2023 model is coming soon. With the 2023 model year vehicles right around the corner, it’s not a good time to splurge on a current model year SUV. It’s even more so for the Sequoia, as it’s finally redesigned for 2023. In addition, it’s solving many problems, including the lack of a hybrid powertrain.
The all-new redesigned full-size SUV received a complete overhaul. Most importantly, it’ll come with a standard i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain producing 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, the hybrid engine isn’t rated for fuel economy yet, but we’d bet just about anything it’ll beat the current V8 by a country mile. As a result, why would anyone want to purchase the current gas-guzzling model year when the brand new, fuel-efficient redesign is right around the corner?
Why isn’t anyone buying the 2022 Toyota Sequoia?
In conclusion, 2022 Toyota Sequoia sales are dropping because it has poor fuel economy and gas prices are too high, and because of the incoming redesign. The new 2023 Toyota Sequoia is on the way, and one of many problems it’ll solve is fuel economy. With a standard hybrid engine and an all-new handsome style, why would anyone buy the current, outdated version? Other full-size SUVs, like the Tahoe and Yukon, have increased their sales likely due to hybrid powertrains and new features. Will the 2023 redesign save the 2022 Toyota Sequoia from its plummeting sales?
