2017 Toyota Sequoia Road Test and Review

2017 Toyota Sequoia exterior off road ・ Photo by Toyota

We keep hearing that fullsize SUVs have made a comeback for 2017. If you look at the sales charts, it’s true—except for the Toyota Sequoia. Nearly alone among its competitive set, the Sequoia has seen declines nearly every year since 2008, and is on track for 2016 sales that are a slight decline (or nearly flat) compared to 2015. The Sequoia debuted as a 2001 model, and the second generation, which arrived as a 2008, continues through 2017 with the benefit of a host of tweaks and upgrades along the way—but not a total makeover at any point. Conventional wisdom seems to have found its example in the Sequoia: Cars and SUVs have to change and improve to remain relevant and sellable. But conventional wisdom only applies to sellers; not to buyers. The Sequoia may not be the latest and greatest, but it is still a very competitive entry in the fullsize SUV class.

Trim Levels

The 2017 Toyota Sequoia lineup is straightforward. There are three grades: SR5, Limited, and Platinum. Each is available in rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive. All Sequoia vehicles come with the same 5.7-liter V8 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. Flex-Fuel versions of 4x4 vehicles are available in some states for no additional charge.

SR5 models are equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, power tilt/slide moonroof, running boards, a roof rack, power front seats, cloth seat covers throughout, and 8-passenger seating, Entune Audio Plus with Connected Scout GPS Navigation App, Bluetooth, and Siri Eyes Free.

Limited models come with 20-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, leather seats, heated front seats, power-reclining third-row seat and Entune Premium Audio with integrated navigation.

Platinum piles on 20-inch diamond-cut finish alloy wheels, rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray and a 9-inch display, heated and ventilated front seats, 7-passenger seating with second row heated captain’s chairs and center console, dynamic laser cruise control, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass, and HomeLink and Entune Premium JBL Audio with integrated navigation. Platinum models also include adaptive variable suspension and electronically modulated air suspension.

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Pricing and Packages

Toyota Sequoia SR5 models start at $45,460; the Limited begins at $54,250; and the Platinum price is listed as $61,990. An additional $3225 adds 4-wheel drive to any Sequoia model.

Four options packages are available for SR5. Auto-dimming mirror with compass and HomeLink can be added for $275. Entune can be upgraded to Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite for $525. A $691 Sport Package includes 20-inch Super Chrome finish alloy wheels, color-keyed grille surround and 7-passenger seating with second-row captain's chairs. A $3270 Premium Package adds Entune Premium Audio, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, and HomeLink, 8-passenger leather-trimmed seats, heated 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, and power reclining and fold-flat third-row seating. There's also front and rear parking assist sonar.

Three options packages can be added to Limited models. Entune Premium JBL Audio runs $745. A $1005 Safety and Convenience Package adds Blind Spot Monitor and lane change assist, two-position power memory driver’s seat, and memory outside mirrors. The Rear Seat Entertainment Package adds $1920.

No options packages are available for the fully loaded Platinum.

Numerous exterior and interior accessories are available for all grades, ranging from a $17 coin holder to $534 Four Season Floor Liners.

Photo by Toyota

Exterior Design

One possible explanation for Sequoia’s flat sales is its dated exterior design, which was conservative back in 2008. The Platinum models, at least, try to spice things up with special wheels and chrome exterior mirrors, but it’s a half-hearted effort. Not that Sequoia is ugly—it certainly is not. It simply lacks the bolder angular assertiveness of the GMC Yukon, or the accentuated muscularity of the Nissan Armada, both direct competitors. The Sequoia is the biggest SUV in the Toyota lineup, besting the Land Cruiser by over 10 inches in length (205.1 inches vs. 194.9 inches) and 4Runner (190.2 inches) by over a foot. Check your garage for fit if you plan to house a Sequoia inside.

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Comfort and Convenience

The Sequoia knows where its bread is buttered—it's a family hauler. The second and third rows are not afterthoughts, they are well designed and comfortable perches. With 8-passenger seating, there are 16 cup and bottle holders distributed throughout the cabin. Access to the third row is aided by one-touch a 40/20/40 split second-row seat (except in Platinum with second-row captain’s chairs) and big door openings that make clambering into the third row possible for all sizes of passenger. The climb into the tall Sequoia is aided by standard running boards on all models. Third-row head, shoulder and leg room is decent, though hip space is a little confining for three full-size passengers. Second and third-row retractable window sunshades are a nice bonus. The front row comes with ample storage in the glove compartment, door pockets, and center console.

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Technology

Toyota’s Entune Audio Plus works really well with an iPhone as a partner. Pair it to the SR5 vehicle via Bluetooth, and you get access to several apps on your phone, and you can install the free Scout GPS app to use your phone’s data connection for nav function. Limited and Platinum models come with Entune Premium with integrated navigation, which uses a direct connection to GPS satellites instead of using up your data, or relying on a cellular connection for nav (available as a $525 option on SR5). Rear-seat entertainment is optional on Limited for $1950, and standard on Platinum. One way that Sequoia shows its age is in the paucity of its USB connections—there’s just one available in the front, and none in the rest of the cabin. There are two standard 12-volt connections (one in front, one in the cargo area), plus one 115-volt connection with the rear-seat entertainment system.

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Safety

All Sequoia models come with Toyota’s Star Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology. The Sequoia gets eight airbags, including driver and front passenger knee airbags. LATCH connectors are included on all second-row seats, and tether anchors on the center third-row seat, along with child-protector rear door locks and rear-window power lockout. Blind Spot Monitor is standard on Platinum and optional on Limited. Front and rear parking assist sonar is standard on Limited and Platinum. Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) is standard on all models.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS.org) has not rated the 2017 Sequoia, nor has SaferCar.gov released any ratings for this year's big Toyota suv.

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Engine, Transmission, and Fuel Economy

There’s just one engine available for Sequoia, and it’s a good, old-fashioned V8 that displaces 5.7 liters and is rated to produce 381 horsepower and 405 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s a good thing because the Sequoia pushes the 3-ton mark (5730–6000 lb. depending on configuration). Both rear-wheel-drive and 4-wheel-drive models get the same 6-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity is between 7000 and 7400 lb., depending on configuration with tongue weight capacities from 700 to 740 lb., and payloads that range from 1300 to 1370 lb. The EPA estimates for fuel economy are 13 MPG city/18 MPG highway for rear-wheel drive, and 13/17 for 4-wheel drive. With its 26.4-gallon fuel tank, maximum range is about 450 miles, so you can cover some substantial distances on those family trips.

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On the Road

Climb up into the Sequoia’s driver’s seat, and you immediately realize that this is one big vehicle. The big engine has enough power to motivate the Sequoia with authority, and there’s a great sense of momentum and command as you cruise down the road. You need to be aware of following distances, because it takes some extra time to haul down all that mass from speed. Four-wheel independent suspension (double-wishbone front and rear with stabilizer bars at both ends) provides a soft ride that sometimes feels floaty, but does a good job of controlling body roll. Steering, via the power-assisted engine-speed-sensing rack-and-pinion system, is direct and delivers decent road feel and a surprisingly tight (38.1-foot) turning diameter, which makes parking lot maneuvers relatively easy for such a big vehicle. The Sequoia shines on long drives, where the plush suspension and stable ride help eat up highway miles without stress or effort. The 4x4 Sequoia has decent chops when the pavement ends, too, with 9.6 to 10.0 inches of ground clearance.

Photo by Toyota

Final Thoughts

In a market where newer is perceived as better, the 2017 Toyota Sequoia lags. It has been a long time since an all-new Sequoia hit the road, and it’s probably hurting sales. Still, Toyota’s reputation for quality and durability is well earned, and this is one solid SUV.

GM’s lineup of fullsize SUVs (Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade) received a major makeover recently, as did Nissan’s Armada and Infiniti’s QX80. Ford’s Expedition and Lincoln Navigator are due for attention, but still have their fans.

For families who need the capacity and capability of a fullsize SUV, the Sequoia SR5 model comes with a satisfying level of equipment and a reasonable starting price. Platinum models are more difficult to justify, as buyers of vehicles who fork over $60,000 for a vehicle tend to demand more cutting-edge features.

Photo by Toyota