After first teasing that “something big is coming … soon,” Toyota today confirmed our report that we’ll be getting a look at an all-new version of the big Sequoia SUV.
And the 2023 remake appears ready to expand its role in the Japanese automaker’s line-up to help fill the gap left open with the departure of the long-running Toyota Land Cruiser.
The latest missive tells us, “The next generation of Toyota’s full-size SUV is coming. The all-new 2023 Sequoia is about to be unleashed. Tune in to the world premiere next Tuesday, January 25 at 9:30 p.m. EST. Stay up to speed with all the latest at www.toyota.com/allnewsequoia.”
The inside story
Not exactly much in the way of details, but TheDetroitBureau.com has done some deep diving and can fill in plenty of blanks — starting with the fact that the 2023 Toyota Sequoia will, in many ways, be a direct replacement for the old Land Cruiser. That model has gotten a makeover, internally codenamed the J300. It just isn’t coming to the U.S. wearing that badge. But the new Sequoia shares the same, new ladder-frame platform as the global Land Cruiser. And it’s essentially the same architecture used for the newly redesigned Toyota Tundra with only the most modest of tweaks.
So, the 2023 Sequoia should be capable of handling some pretty tough off-road situations though it also will offer a more comfortable on-road ride, much like the all-new makeover of the Lexus LX 600. And, oh, yes, that luxury SUV also shares the new body-on-frame platform. Toyota is clearly intent on maximizing economies of scale.
We’ve only had a pair of teaser images of the new Sequoia, both focused on the back end. But there are clearly some design details linking all these new models. The most noticeable is the kink in the frame of the glass behind the second row. It’s closest to the shape of the J300 Land Cruiser — and might be described as the Japanese take on the Hofmeister Kink — though other details appear shared with the LX 600, as well. There are similarities in the taillights and door handles, as well.
The new Sequoia will be offered in a three-row configuration. But we may have to wait until next week to confirm if there’s a two-row option — and if it will be available in both seven- and eight-seat packages.
Share and share alike
Now, while American motorists will be getting a Sequoia, there should be plenty of features taken from the global Land Cruiser. That starts with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 paired with a 10-speed automatic. The engine serves as the base package for the new Tundra, as well, with the pickup also getting an even more gutsy i-Force Max hybrid powertrain making 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Odds are the Sequoia will add the hybrid driveline, as well.
And the SUV is all but certain to offer the same off-road upgrades as the pickup, starting with a two-speed transfer case, TheDetroitBureau.com has been advised.
Inside, expect to see a more modern cabin layout with massive amounts of room, lots of places to stow “stuff,” and plenty of new digital technology. That’s certain to include the new Toyota infotainment system, with its Amazon Siri-style voice assistant.
Look for lots of available cameras to give Sequoia owners plenty of different views when trailering or off-roading. And the SUV will get the full array of Toyota’s latest advanced driver assistance systems.
Pricing
As for pricing? The old Land Cruiser was getting up there. In fact, at $88,245, the new Lexus LX 600 starts at only $1,215 more than the outgoing Toyota SUV. The Sequoia has been far more affordable, the 2022 model starting at a comparably modest $50,500. (That’s only about $3,000 more than what the average new vehicle “transacted” for in December, according to U.S. industry data.)
It’s hard to imagine that, with all the new features and tech, Toyota won’t push upwards with the 2023 Sequoia, though it could keep the base model in the “affordable” category.
We’ll learn more next week at the debut of the new SUV, though final pricing numbers aren’t likely to be released until closer to the on-sale date later this year.
