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

what are you guys paying for the new sequoia ?

 

Thank you

 

It's been the lack of cargo volume that disappoints me. My friend that does dog rescues can fit 24 dog crates in the cargo area of the 2019. There is no way that can be done with a 3G, I estimate 8 max because it's so poorly designed for real cargo.

So, after a year of discussing what could succeed a RWD Chevy Express cargo van with 260k miles, she's right back to a second 2019 Sequoia 4WD SR5 in the fleet. It just does everything well.

 

I don't understand Toyota's logic in making it hybrid only. That jacks the price up way too high. We're already dealing with shortages, inflation, dealership greed, just seems like a poor decision to make it hybrid only, certainly prices some of us out.
I know the rear suspension setup changed, which probably accounts for much of the cargo space issues, but I wonder how much of a space penalty the hybrid setup takes?

Be nice to see a non-hybrid SR or SR-5 trim.....

 

Such a bummer to see how well the LX600 cargo system is with no battery in the way, and it has the Torsen center diff.

3G Sequoia non-hybrid with true fold flat cargo, and Torsen diff? I’d buy one tomorrow.

LX600 F Sport is getting tempting, but once I get in the $100K plus range, I think there are better German options.

https://youtu.be/RnMjEQC14Ec

 

I’ve had my 2023 Sequoia Limited since January 1st, and while there’s been a few things I’ve had to get used that I don’t necessarily enjoy, I would say this isn’t favorite vehicle I’ve owned so far.

Here’s my opinion so far:

Doesn’t feel like a tiny car like my 2020 4Runner. I’m 6’3 and feel like I have just as much room in the front seats as I did in my 2019 Ram Rebel.

Handles fine. You’re not expecting an Audi right? Because compared to my 2022 Audi Q7 it’s an awful drive, BUT compared to my previous Ram it’s similar to comfort and power.

While the cargo space looks small and it’s smaller than the previous model it’s not awful. Compared to others out there it’s definitely beat.

I use it mainly with the third row folded down and the rear bench seat up to fit my two Belgian Malinois and they are fine back there.I would like to find a way to get rid of the gaps between the seats and headrests etc, but that’s my only issue with having to work around the lesser space than previous models.

GAS MILEAGE:
I feel like they’re trying to trick people into believing that hybrid means cleaner/better mpg/ saving money but with Toyota I would say it’s more to improve power over anything but you do get a little bit of an increase in fuel economy than th e previous generation. I still think they could have been better or found an in between.

I live on the west coast in Portland OR so we have a lot of hills and passes to commute over daily. With stock wheels and tires (20”)I was getting about 17.5 mpg in my 13 mile highway commute to work.

After I put on 18” black rhino warlords, and 275 70 R18 falken wildpeaks I get 13.5 mpg on average. I’m not a soft driver but also I’m not trying to race every car ahead of me. So while I’m not impressed with those numbers they are pretty comparable to the current 4Runners when you have new shoes on. If you’re planning to keep it equipped with stock or summer tires or have a flat commute then I feel like it’s top of its class for mpg.

The handling again is similar to a 4Runner with WAY more power.

I’ve made a few cosmetic changes and found that most everything regarding the front end is interchangeable with the 2022 tundra.

Parts are still a little tricky to find as dealerships are never any help even when you know exactly what you need. In time there will be plenty of aftermarket stuff.

At first I hated the tow mirrors but have gotten used to them. I would still like to swap them out for the regular mirrors just for the looks but that’s kind of last on my list of things to do!

I paid 71 all said and done with extended warranty so I’m more than happy with this purchase. I think it really boils down to what you’re wanting out of this vehicle. If you want max space go with the Tahoe or Yukon xl. I’m partial to looks, life, and resale value.

 

Thank you for the honest review, @thiefhands. I think I will keep my 2nd gen for a while and supercharge it.
71 with the extended warranty is not horrible this day and age.

 

2G is a solid allaround machine. The '19 we bought in Feb 2021 has done everything a jumbo SUV can do. Done so well for yearround use doing Rez dog rescues we bought a second one. '19 SR5 4WD with 66k miles, $39k OTD.

 

Right now cargo volume in Yota vehicles the hierarchy is Sienna, new Grand Highlander, 4Runner, 4th place is the 3G Sequoia. And 3G Sequoia has by far the most ridiculous cargo area setup. I can't deal with low ground clearance with the AWD minivans so we have two 2019 4WD Sequoias for a combined cost of $74k. Two 2019's beat the hell out of one 2023 to me. 112k miles on one, 67k miles on the other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPrpsMUELCg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=626FHOuWDno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXjQIysxhTE

 

Wait the 4Runner has more cargo room than the sequoia?

 

Yep. The cargo volume is actually higher in the 5th gen 4R because the new Sequoia’s seats can’t stow into the floor or be removed.

 

the engineers got side tracked on the tundra tow hook conspiracy, totally forgetting that lay-flat seats are the standard now.
Come on guys.

 

That is correct sir.

It’s also shorter and wider due to the 2nd and 3rd row not folding flat into the floor. So my two dogs wouldn’t fit based off the low ceiling height, which is a major drawback in my specific case.

I am seeing more folks removing the 3rd row now, and building a simple carpeted wooden plate / platform that covers the battery and rear cargo area. Looks decent, especially when you have a dog cargo cover draped over it all.

Doesn’t fix the 2nd row not folding flat, but solves at least part of the problem.

 

Totally agree. I am thinking about getting a second Great Dane, and the ceiling height is crucial. The lack of rolling down window is disappointing, too.

 

Same. My dogs loved that in my wife’s 2020 4R Pro.

 

That and lack of fulltime 4WD. The dog rescue lady and I had been conversing for months about how to replace a Chevy Express cargo van. In the end after piling up 77k miles in two years with the 2019 she decided a second 2G 4WD was the way to go. I bet the two will go 600k miles chugging along at 15mpg with all of the versatility they need.

 

I was almost able to convince myself that running a set of proper winter tires will negate the part time 4WD, but not successfully so far. Perhaps in 2030, when it will be time to replace my 2nd gen, the 3rd gen Sequoia might be a decent choice assuming that other manufacturers will also make their vehicles worse..

 

My experience ............ lifelong south central Alaskan who has driven Tundras as my personal truck for the last 20+ years, and was a LONG TIME proponent of running good AT tires thru the winters while using 4x4 quite often. Didnt want the cost and hassle of swapping tires. Sold the wife's 4R Pro 1.5 years ago since she preferred my Tundra (I drive my work truck or my Jeep SRT), but last winter she HATED how the Tundra drove on ice / snow while on its Cooper AT3 XLT's. Threw a pair of Toyo Observe G3-Ice studded tires on it for this winter, and have been amazed at how well it does. In 2wd on the studded Toyos the truck outperforms the Cooper XLT's in 4x4. When in 4x4 and with the studs, I am seeing just how different I was having to drive while on AT tires in the Alaskan winters up here. SOOOO much nicer to drive, and not having to be nearly as careful to not out-drive the AT tires on snow / ice.

And I am big fan of the Torsen center diff, and 4A systems on the domestic trucks. Love the feature on my work Ram. But given my new experience with studded winter tires this ongoing winter, part time 4 wheel drive systems are not as big a deal breaker as before.

 

There's a lot to like about the 2G. Test driving the 66k mile second 2G it was 18 degrees F and snowing, icy city streets, clicked it into 4HI and she could have driven it to Utah and back in 4HI. The tight turning circle is a bonus, and the Indiana plant has produced well with the 1G Tundra and the 2G Sequoia.

 

3G does have major offroad improvements. Good snow video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NbujML5ibk

Dude didn't even use Crawl Control, a very effective system IMO, and doesn't tear up trails like slamming it in 4LO. For overlanders the 3G TRDOR pkg would accomplish goals of axle articulation and ground clearance because it should be easy to lift and get larger tires on.

Fix the cargo area with a non-hybrid flat floor and the 3G would be much more versatile. Hybrid only is just mind-boggling to me. Maybe the aging San Antonio plant trying to build the 3G Tundra and Sequoia together is limiting assembly line versatility. I believe they're building their own frames at SA also instead of sub-contracting so that would take up square footage. Well, we'll see how sales go.

 

Just realized I posted these vids in the Grand Highlander thread, maybe helpful for 2023 buyers.

https://youtu.be/NKPL639wFFo

https://youtu.be/mRYDSy6PxHo

 

Good look at the underside of the 2023, etc. Engine is way too complicated for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCk7BJzvCmE

 

I find the small tank in the Sequoia weird as well. The Tree is advertised as a family travel vehicle that is primed for towing mobile homes, boats, etc.

My wife has a 2017 and even though it has a transmission oil temp gauge, it does not have an integrated trailer brake or 38 gallon tank (like my 2018 Tundra has). I don't get it.

Dan

 

Saw three 2023's today while running errands in south metro Denver area. One errand was to a Lexus dealer to get the Lexus front diff drain/fill plugs to replace the absolutely ridiculous Toyota 10mm Allen drain/fills, I hate them so much (Lexus PN's are 90341-24016 and 90341-18060, $54 with washers). A guy in a business suit with a 2023 was getting into the truck as I was leaving the Lexus lot. Didn't stop to ask why he was at a Lexus dealer.

 

A video that shows a better look at the 2023 cargo area. Shows the 2nd row bench and 2nd row folded flat instead of tumbled forward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRAjHZNyCAI

 

I think its a space limitation with the 120" wheelbase. I know that my Lexus GX has almost no room around the gas tank. The front is almost touching the transfer case(and is notched to fit around it), the left side is against the frame rail, the right side is inches from the driveshaft, and the rear is about 4" away from the axle tube. They physically couldnt fit a bigger tank it besides making it hang lower, which it already hangs lower than almost anything under the car anyways.

Its not like a FS truck with a 145" wheelbase where they have an extra 2' to fit more tank.

Although, 22.5 gallons on the 3G is pathetic considering thats less than my GX, despire the 3G being a 12" longer wheel base and probably wider.. At least the 2G had 26.5.

 

Yota engineers look at tank range, so if a 22.5g tank can get the same range as a 26.5g in the 2G that's ok.

Side note, the Yota Board of Directors removed former chief honcho Akio Toyoda so there was a shuffle in direction. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/26/toy...president and,GAZOO racing company since 2020. I think there was a behind the scenes struggle for control. Mike Sweers had to convince the new guy Koji Sato the Sequoia was worth keeping in the lineup. I hope the 3G pans out. 1G Sequoia I see them often in Colorado, 2G's also. I think it would have been a major embarrassment if Toyota dropped out of the fullsize SUV market.

 

They obviously didnt factor in anyone wanting to tow then if they purposefully just put in a smaller tank than they could have fit. 22.5 gallons is not great if you have a travel trailer behind you getting 7.4 mpg like I was yesterday coming back from Moab.

 

Yep, and gas turbo engines don't get unicorn fuel mileage towing. Got tired of trying to find a vehicle that can actually top the 2019 Sequoia for versatility and reliability. Another 2019 was available close to home, jumped on it.

 

14,165 2023's sold so far. I admire Mike Sweers for going to bat to keep it in the lineup, but they didn't move the needle to steal sales from the Tahoe and Expedition. Actually went backwards going from IRS to SRA that cuts cargo volume, meanwhile GM and Ford have IRS and matched the 2G Sequoia cargo volume.

I had high hopes the 3G would be a stunner that I could afford used in a few years to replace the 2019. But after about five minutes of discussion with my daughter who drives the 2019, we agreed the 3G was not in the realm. Less cargo volume, lose fulltime 4Hi, less ground clearance. Maybe you get 2-3 mpg better on paper at sea level, but going over the Continental Divide turbo engines drink fuel the same as a V8. The plan is keep the old reliable 4.7's and 5.7's going Victor Sheppard style.