Even in a stark, sensible color, no one would miss the 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro. State it in dazzling Solar Octane orange, and the burly three-row SUV is absolutely disgusting in how it captures the eyeballs. While getting their attention, you could point out that she's a hybrid too.
No one is going to confuse the Sequoia TRD Pro with anything close to the Prius, remember. When the Toyota Race Development team took a bad turn with the meat truck, it went up to $59.000, which usually starts under $1.595 (plus a destination of $76.000). Add $290 for the power-opening tow mirrors, $87 for the ball mount, $499 dash cam, $1.395 TRD Roof Rack and of course $425 for the retina-scorching paint job and the SUV you see here exceeds the $80.000 mark.
Your money often turns a large, family-friendly vehicle into one that is unexpectedly eager to get off-road. In fact, you could well argue that the TRD Pro process gives Sequoia the shine its platform deserves. It's not unfair to suggest that architecture was wasted on the school run, shared by Land Cruiser, on the fundamentals that the US currently denies – and with the always surprisingly capable Lexus LX that Toyota Headquarters believes North America can enjoy as a feast.
A real off-roader
The TRD division has some good bones to begin with, and Toyota's engine side doesn't disappoint. Every 2023 Sequoia comes with the same 10-liter twin-turbo V3,5 hybrid i-FORCE MAX engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. In the case of the TRD Pro, it packs 4 horsepower and 4 lb-ft of torque pushed into the automaker's 437WDemand part-time all-wheel drive system.
It has an electronically controlled locking rear differential, a high/low range 2-speed transfer case and an automatic limited-slip differential. While other Sequoia skins are available with air suspension, the TRD Pro opts for 2,5-inch FOX internal bypass coils and rear remote reservoir shocks.
There are also 18-inch TRD Pro matte black forged aluminum BBS wheels with a TRD Pro front stabilizer bar, a TRD aluminum front skid plate and TRD hubcaps. It is covered with 285/65R18 Falken WILDPEAK all-terrain tires. Even with the fancy dual-ended exhaust, the approach and departure angles increase to 23 degrees and 20 degrees respectively. It will tow 9.020 pounds and has 9.1 inches of ground clearance, which is half an inch more than the regular SUV.
You will be grateful for the cameras
In short – and as you might hope for the price – it's not just a design package. Toyota wants to make it clear that if you're ready, the Sequoia TRD Pro is completely ready to go off-road and the on-board devices help with that. Multi Terrain Monitor is standard, and various camera angles around the SUV help detect rocks, crevices and other waterfalls.
Of course, it's just as useful (if not more so) in city driving where the scale of the Sequoia can be daunting. Fortunately, Toyota throws in a big, dedicated button to call up the camera view, because while thick tires provide curb avoidance safety, it's entirely possible to lose pedestrians or even other cars in non-trivial blind spots. Large side mirrors, which greatly aid rear vision, impair front vision.
The truth is, for all the camera angles this is a ridiculously large SUV. It's also worth noting that the TRD Pro rig has a larger turning circle than its Sequoia siblings, although Toyota has reduced it a bit from lock-to-lock on the steering wheel. At 44,52 feet from curb to curb, it's over 4 feet more than other versions of the truck, and it can take some getting used to when trying to squeeze into parking lots.
electric perk
Despite what you might suspect at the 6.150-pound curb weight, the TRD Pro doesn't feel sluggish. Toyota's hybrid system is the solution to this, by placing an electric motor between the engine and transmission. A Ni-MH battery only provides enough juice for short, low-speed raids of electric power, but the decision here is left to the truck rather than offering a dedicated (and frankly pointless) EV mode.
Really, the hybridization here is to optimize the torque curve. The Sequoia has a positive spirit from the get-go and can shock other drivers with more than its scale. With the transmission set to “S” it only gets more aggressive in Sport mode, and whether you're in regular 2H or 4H mode, the big Toyota never feels like it lacks punch.
While my testing didn't get me on any major terrain trails, the Midwest winter provided plenty of snow and ice to test the Sequoia's toughness. Easily adjustable power combined with plenty of traction made this a light job, and the SUV glides between 2H and 4H without the cumbersome pause many competitors experience. Steering could have been a little harder, the feedback is pretty smooth through the mind and the electric assist system.
Fortunately, the brakes are up to the task, even if there's something moderately annoying about an SUV skidding at such great speed at higher speeds. It's also an enthusiastic beaver, so smooth that it's easy to find yourself cruising above the intended limit.
Smooth and thirsty
It is wind and road noise that helps define these times. With its upright grille, TRD Roof Rack and gripping 33-inch tire, it's no surprise the Sequoia is on the noisy side. The engine doesn't whine or whine like the electric system on the RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, and the V6's sound isn't bad on its own, but you should definitely go to the Lexus dealer next door if you want improvement.
You should probably spare time and money for the gas station as well. According to the EPA's figures, the Sequoia TRD Pro should do 22 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg combined. In practice, I saw 300-17 mpg based on my own mixed driving, with the SUV's range estimated at around 18 miles from a full tank. Consider breaking up your road trips with regular breaks to fill up.
There's an Eco drive mode along with Normal, Sport and Tow/Haul, but the TRD Pro misses out on the Comfort, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom modes that other Sequoia enjoy. There's no specific off-road mode either - Toyota assumes you're confident enough to figure out the settings on your own.
Spacious and sturdy
A wholesale upgrade in the cabin helps give the 2023 Sequoia a more modern feel. Toyota offers eight-seat configurations for the SUV, while the TRD Pro defaults to seven-seaters. There is no shortage of space for the second-row captain's seats, there is a healthy transition area to the sliding, power-folding third row.
In addition to offering legroom for adults, this seat splits 60/40 because when you're three rows up you're looking at a comfortable 11,5 cu-ft of cargo space. Sliding the back row forward expands that to 22,3 cu-ft, while folding it up increases it to 49 cu-ft. Drop the second row and you're looking at 86.9 cu-ft.
Instead of leather, there's perforated SofTex: toughness suitable for off-road adventures, just like rubber mats. Toyota also has a wireless phone charging pad, heating and ventilation for the front row, an electric tailgate with retractable windows, and plenty of useful compartments.
The tech upgrade we've been waiting for
On the tech side, the latest Toyota infotainment system is a welcome addition. It runs on a sizable 14-inch touchscreen – large enough that some of the graphics on the right can be difficult for the driver – are much easier, more attractive, and generally intuitive to use than the older version. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, and there is a 12,3-inch digital instrument cluster for the driver.
Toyota is also installing active safety technology. Pre-collision assistance with pedestrian detection, lane departure warnings with steering assistance, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams and road sign assist are all part of Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 as standard. So does adaptive cruise control, but where its competitors flirt with improved lane keeping, the Sequoia entrusts the steering to the driver.
Despite the large touchscreen, Toyota doesn't shy away from physical controls. They're usually oversized to ensure they're usable even if you're wearing gloves, but the positioning of the drivetrain controls leaves them somewhat hidden by the edge of the center armrest.
2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro Decision
The more time I spent behind the wheel, the bigger the 2023 Sequoia TRD Pro got to me. Of course it takes some getting used to: it's mainly about scale, as with any other full-size SUV. Still, Toyota doesn't feel bulky, with the added power of the hybrid engine helping to balance the weight, as does the Tundra.
Sure, you get that punch in the TRD non-massage versions, and for most people I suspect this is a smarter buy. Not only is it more affordable, it's also a little more refined down the road. The regular Sequoia might not be ready for the rough stuff, but the $4 TRD Off-Road Package, available on 4×470 rigs, adds fancy tires, Bilstein all-terrain shocks, locking rear differential, and other refinements. You really need to step up to this full TRD Pro spec for it to make sense, and that means taking the Sequoia into the wild that's exactly what this uncompromising configuration has to offer.