2023 Toyota Sequoia 4WD Platinum Hybrid – Review by David Colman +VIDEO

Monster Torque Makes For Perfect Tow Vehicle

David Colman

Photos and Story By David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

Remember the mechanical bull that John Travolta rode in Urban Cowboy? If you do, you've got a good idea of what it's like trying to stay on top of Toyota's all new Sequoia. With more than 3 tons of curb weight, 208 inches of length, and 80 inches of width, the latest Sequoia presents some unique management issues around town.

After a while, you become accustomed to the notion that most normal size parking spaces are off limits. For that reason, you'll find yourself hiking to the shopping center from the far reaches of the parking lot, out where the buffalo roam. You'll also want to avoid situations that require much use of reverse gear. Vision out the back window is so restricted, Toyota has fitted a standard digital rear view mirror to help illuminate what's behind you when you need to back up. Our test truck was also fitted with an optional $499 Dash Cam which will record whether you ran over the dog you couldn't see from the driver's seat.

Our lusciously handsome Platinum edition looked splendid in Silver Metallic paint. Likewise, the interior verges on lavish, with leather-trimmed front seats fitted with every convenience you could want: heating, ventilation, power lumbar, power position adjustment, plus 2 position memory bank. Unfortunately, the front seats look more comfortable than they feel due to board flat back cushions that provides minimal lateral support. The situation in row two is somewhat improved, with a pair of comfortable Captain's chairs fitted which face their own HVAC console. Row three contains a truncated triple-occupant bench seat which ups the possible passenger count to 7. Substitution of a split/folding second-row bench for the Captain's chairs ups carrying capacity to 8, and entitles you to apply for Greyhound stickers.

The new Sequoia shares its chassis and underpinnings with Toyota's newly minted Tundra pickup. Top echelon versions of both trucks utilize the same V35A-FTS V6, which makes 437hp. This 3.5-liter twin turbocharged engine also produces 583lb.-ft. of torque thanks in part to a hybrid AC motor which adds 48hp to the power mix. The electric energy produced by the hybrid combo is stored in a 1.9 kWh nickel metal hydride battery pack. The V6 powers all 4 wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission offering sequential shift mode. Although the gearbox lacks paddles, its ratios can be manually selected from the side-by-side shift gate on the center console. This hybrid drivetrain vaults the Sequoia to 60mph from rest in 5.6 seconds, and punches it to a quarter mile time of 14.3 seconds @94mph. These are impressive numbers indeed for a vehicle tipping the scales at 6,179 pounds. Given its size and carrying capacity, the Platinum Hybrid does well to post an overall EPA mileage figure of 20 MPG.

On paper, the Sequoia would seem to offer abundant cargo space: 89 cubic feet if you collapse the second-row seats manually, then use electric buttons to flatten the third-row benches. If you leave the second row chairs erect and just fold the third row, you can count on 49 cubic feet of space. With all chairs erect, however, you're left with just 12 cubic feet of storage in the tail. However, those cargo numbers are somewhat misleading, because no configuration offers a flat load floor. Even when folded, the Row 3 seats do no disappear into the floor. Thus, you're faced with doing an awkward clean and jerk to move goods over the transom. The Captain's chairs magnify the problem when folded, because there's nothing to bridge the chasm between them. So, despite the extra large size of this SUV, I found it exceptionally difficult to stuff my bicycle into the Sequoia.

You'll want to include $1,005 for Power Extending Running Boards when you order your Sequoia. These useful appendages can be turned on or off with a flick of a switch on the mini-dashboard just left of the steering wheel. Another useful addition to improve drivability is the $1,045 Adaptable Variable Suspension (AVS), which gives you load-leveling control via air suspension. When you've got this big horse loaded to the gunnels with people and product, it's nice to know you won't be dragging your differential on the ground. AVS also provides you with a variety of Drive Modes (including Sport and Sport+) that are unavailable without the AVS upgrade.

Fitted with 20x8J Dark painted Alloy Wheels, the Platinum Sequoia crouches low to the ground. Its 265/60R20 Bridgestone Dueler H/T radials sport a chunky tread pattern calculated to churn through the worst mud and snow conditions. Even in the dry, these tires handle loads and twisty roads with an aplomb that belies the mammoth size of the new Sequoia.

2023 TOYOTA SEQUOIA 4WD PLATINUM HYBRID

ENGINE: 3.5 liter V6, twin-turbocharged and intercooled, DOHC, 24 valve + AC Motor
HORSEPOWER: 437hp
TORQUE: 583lb.-ft.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 19MPG City/22MPG Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $79,089

HYPES: Monster Torque Makes For Perfect Tow Vehicle

GRIPES: Uncle Wiggly Load Floor

STAR RATING: 8.5 Stars out of 10

©2023 David E Colman