I’m already sold on the 2023 Sequoia, thanks to the 2022 Tundra.

The TFL reveal was underwhelming. That shelf thing is awful.

 

So the hybrid is standard and only engine?

 

Yup. That's what I got out of that.

 

that is weird and a little disappointing to me. Don’t really want the extra 500 lbs of weight. I am almost never driving in the city or below 55 mph where I would benefit the most.

 

The full-time torsen transfer case is gone. That seriously sucks. Its one of my favorite features in my GX.

 

So not for the '23. Well. F that sheet.

 

"'Class exclusive' sliding 3rd row." Lol because no one else wants that sheiiit.

 

https://youtu.be/T9iy18b5_SM

 

Fudge. The more I learn, the less I like.

 

Curious why? I’d hate the fuel economy hit. Full-time 4WD has some benefits but I’d rather have a rear LSD and part-time 4WD.

 

I am buying the SR5 with the TRD Sport package in 4x4. It will be the best looking option and closest to the Pro look without paying Pro prices. The TRD Sport package on the new Tundra is the best looking one too.

 

That front end should have been on the tundra.

 

No torsen/awd? Toyota could have just recycled the gen 2 transfer case. This is honestly looking pretty bleak.

 

That’s exactly what I thought.

 

AFAIK, the Sequoias case had 2wd as well as 4HI/Lo unlocked and 4HI/LO locked. So it was not taking an mpg hit. The 1st gen Sequoia was for sure this way, I cross shopped them with my GX, and I am 90% sure the second gen is as well.

The torsen center diff in my gx is fantastic in snow and offroad. I rarely ever lock it. Ive lifted tires in 4Lo unlocked and it just pulls right through. No binding in tight corners on the trail, no turning radius increase, etc.

And the other thing I love about it is I can use it to move my 5500 trailer around my yard in 4Lo without tearing up my lawn or binding on pavement. It makes backing my trailer into my narrow fence gate a lot easier.

Seriously, its one of my favorite features in my GX.

 

Yea, which I kinda figured was gonna happen to keep it competitive with towing and hp. And with the extra weight, it would be beneficial to keep it from feeling sluggish. Most people dropping $60k+ on a vehicle won't let $5k stop them

 

437hp is not needed to tow 9000 lbs. A 250 hp Powerstorke F150 was rated for like 12k.

And GM has been powering the Suburban for years with the 5.3L making 355 hp and 383 torque, Ford’s ecoboost in the Expedition is only 375 hp.

I am having a hard time wrapping my head around it but I seriously hope it doesnt cause the base, no option, SR5 4x4 to be $60k

 

Keep in mind what an SR5 4x4 is listed for now (about $55k last I knew). Now add about $5k to that for the new stuff and yea, you're at about $60k.
Also keep in mind Toyota has a hell of a lot more reliability than what you just listed. As with lots/most things, you get what you pay for. If all you're looking for us power, speed and/or torque, then you may want to step away from Toyota since they're not trying to win races obviously. They're trying to build dependable platforms that they don't need (or want) to update, change, improve every couple years like thr big 3 do.

 

Um, didnt i just say that the other trucks had less power than this new Sequoia? Kinda goes against your whole winning races argument.

my point was, the 389hp non hybrid can tow 9000 lbs just fine. And would have been competitive with Ford and GM

 

The previous Sequoia's 4x4 allowed the selection of 2wd, full time AWD (i.e. can be used on dry pavement), locking the center diff for 4wd, and 4Lo. It's a great system and I'm sad to see it go. Drive a lot on snow covered roads and the AWD is great for when it is not full snow coverage and works really well most of the time for snow travel, then having the option to lock the center diff if needed makes it a great setup.

 

It's interesting that the Sequoia is hybrid only, but LX 600 is non-hybrid only but requires 91 octane. I wonder where the batteries are? Under third row?

 

Dang, I think it looks pretty good. Not interested in a Sequoia at the moment but this was a big update all things considered!

 

Have been waiting to see how the new big tree stacks up. Like the new updated look, but yeah ditching the previous 4x4 system and not having a sliding rear window is a bit of a downer although not deal breakers.

Will have to see more images of the raised third row/storage or what appears to be a loss in storage space.

Hope it gets much better MPG

 

@mass-hole @PNWRider oh my bad, for some reason I thought the Sequoia was full-time like some of the 4Runners. In geneal, any center diff would be nice.

 

Solid rear axle is pretty nice and not something I expected. Would still probably prefer a Land Cruiser though.

 

I don’t hate it.

Cosmetics look better than the 3rd Gen Tundra. Features content looks competitive, plenty of room, big infotainment screen, plenty of power.

Some of the features absent on the Tundra like a wide variety of power train choices, front tow hooks, higher payload and higher towing numbers than the competition don’t matter at all. At least not in the market segment of large near luxury body on frame SUV’s because customers don’t typically off road them or tow giant travel trailers.

Overall I think the Sequoia hits the mark much much better as a full size SUV than the Tundra does as a 1/2 ton pickup. Toyota developed TNGA-F pretty clearly as an SUV platform first and foremost to underpin the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Land Cruiser Prado, Sequoia, Lexus LX, and Lexus GX. Frankly the Tundra, Tacoma, and Hilux are or will be adaptations of an SUV platform instead of the other way around.

If I had to score each one within their segment I would give the Sequoia a solid 95% A+ score within the full size SUV category as long as pricing is not absurd. There isn’t a ton of competition within full size SUV’s and they don’t get changed up nearly as often, plus there is less dick measuring going on in the segment. Max towing and payload, max power and torque etc take a back seat priority wise to luxury, space, safety, gizmos, and other creature comforts. Offering a limited number of trims and option packages is common in the large SUV segment, so that won’t hurt the Sequoia either. The only major blunder is part time 4 wheel drive, Toyota should have put the Torsen center full time 4 wheel drive transfer case in.

The Tundra in my estimation gets about a 70% score within the 1/2 ton truck category. Options are too few in number and require odd and expensive packages. Only two engine choices with no V8 is a mistake marketing wise. So is the mandatory 3.31:1 axle ratio with nothing more aggressive for maximum towing or the off road crowd that will want big tires. The omission of front tow hooks limits appeal as an off road rig whether they’re needed frequently or not. Lagging payload numbers limit real world towing capacity, which is not best in class to begin with. As noted by testers the new Tundra doesn’t move the bar much it’s merely competitive and competent right now with existing 1/2 tons.

 

Fortunately this 2019 is durable.

 

A supercharged 5.7 will be much quicker, only 1 gear shift from 0-60 not to mention the sound and the ability to gracefully put that power to the ground.
Any thoughts on the ‘tunability’ of that hybrid powertrain?

 

If the ECU can be tuned, which will take someone figuring out how to get into the coding, it probably has quite a bit of power left on the table. The same engine in the LX600 makes 409hp on 91 Octane so there’s that.

If other 3.0L to 3.5L twin turbo V6’s are any indication a generic pre-programmed downloadable tune will probably be good for peak gains of around 25-30hp without needing to replace intercoolers, or other hardware. At least going by what Cobb Tuning does with 3.5L EcoBoost engines for the F-150. Total peak power increases are more modest because the EcoBoost runs out of turbo higher in the RPM range, just like the V35A-FTS will. So the peak gains will be in the midrange of the RPM band most likely.

Cobb is getting peak gains of 45hp or more with some hardware changes like a larger intercooler but that is not going to be an easy option with the Tundra given the air to liquid intercooler.

The Ford EcoBoost is rated from the factory on 91 Octane though, so gains for the 87 Octane rated V35A-FTS in the Tundra will be higher.

So maybe 25-30hp peak gains under the curve and a similar torque value just tuning for 91 Octane, and then another 20-30hp and similar torque under the curve with a more performance oriented tune. So maybe 45-60hp, and some similar torque figure without wrenching.

I doubt we will see tuning support though, I’ll bet Toyota has that ECU locked up tight.

 

Looks like the rear window does flip up at least.

https://youtu.be/c2Mrg_ZeoAE

Think the 3rd row, storage, lack of auto 4wd will be deal breakers. Shame.

Edit: looks like you can slide the 3rd row forward for a bit more storage in back...most photos seem to show it slid all the way back