TOYOTA

Sequoia 2023: SUV from the brand arrives electrified and with a lot of embedded technology

Toyota has decided to up its stakes in the competitive large SUV segment. Full-size crossovers play a prominent role in the United States. The particular proposal of the Japanese brand for this category is none other than the Toyota Sequoia. A vehicle that had been crying out for several years for a complete renovation. Well, the wait is over.

The third generation of Sequoia has just been introduced. Toyota's SUV debuted important news and improvements. Among them is the commitment to electrification. The great inspiration was the new Toyota Tundra, a model that also debuted less than half a year ago. It will not be an easy life, as it will have to fight with authentic heavyweights in the segment, such as the GMC Yukon and the Ford Expedition.

Regarding the changes, the truth is that it is enough to take a quick look at the images to discover which are the most relevant innovations in terms of exterior design. It adopts a new design language and it is clear that the main reference was the Tundra pick-up. At the front there is a large grille flanked by characteristic headlights with LED technology.

The front bumper features very sharp shapes and prominent protections. Depending on the version or package configured, the grid will adopt different finishes, as well as patterns. The side view brings out the SUV essence of the Sequoia. The wheel arches are protected by protections and to that we must add the roof bars. It is also worth mentioning the wheels up to 22 inches.

Ending the tour of the exterior at the rear, the highlights are the horizontally arranged lanterns, which are connected through a chrome frame to enhance the feeling of width.

In terms of personalization, the new Sequoia is very well catered for, as you can also choose from different body colors and wheel designs, as well as exterior styling packages. These are the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road packages. Depending on the package chosen, the sporty or adventurous aspect of the vehicle will be highlighted.

Regarding the interior of the new Sequoia, we are surrounded by a huge cabin that has space and, above all, technological equipment. Compared to the previous model, a more modern and elegant interior appears. In addition, the brand has placed much more emphasis on improving the quality of finishes and trims.

Once again, if we keep in mind the new Tundra, we will realize that numerous pick-up components are transferred to this SUV. The nerve center is a large 14-inch touchscreen that sits high on the center console and combines with 12.3-inch digital instrumentation. The Toyota Audio Multimedia multimedia system allows access to numerous online digital services. It is also compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Inside there is enough space to accommodate three rows of seats. The third row of seats can slide to prioritize the cargo space or, on the contrary, the space for the occupants of these seats. Some of the most outstanding equipment is the thermal multifunctional steering wheel, front and rear seats (second row) with heating and ventilation, in addition to the JBL sound equipment.

The list of driver assistance systems is equally extensive. Standard equipment on all versions includes the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 package with numerous assistants. Among them are the pre-collision system with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, involuntary lane change alert, automatic high beams, traffic sign recognition and blind spot monitor.

As for the mechanical part, there are also important news. It's just that this huge SUV succumbed to electrification. Toyota took advantage of the Sequoia generation change to introduce a simple hybrid (HEV) version to the line. It will be available exclusively with i-Force Max hybrid mechanics. Under the hood is a 3.5-litre Twin-Turbo V6 petrol engine accompanied by a small electric motor.

It develops a power of 437 hp and 790 Nm of maximum torque. All of this is managed through a 10-speed automatic transmission. It will be possible to opt for an all-wheel drive configuration. The brand highlights that it has a towing capacity of over 4,000 kg.

Regarding its arrival on the market, Toyota points out that, if everything goes according to plan, the new Sequoia will be ready to land in the middle of this year. As your arrival approaches, the rest of the line details will be revealed. For example, all prices. The series production process will take place in San Antonio, Texas (United States).

Autonews