This week I have really enjoyed having the 2025 Toyota Sequoia, the 3rd generation of the flagship SUV that was changed dramatically for the 2023 model year, and is assembled at the state-of-the-art Toyota plant in San Antonio, TX.
Powertrain
The Sequoia shares a chassis and power train with the Texas-built Tundra pickup. The only engine option is the i-Force Max engine. This engine places a 48-horse electric motor between the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 and a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission. It comes standard with 4-wheel drive.
This hybrid system produces exceptional results. It has 437-horses and an amazing 583 pound-feet of torque.
Exterior
My test vehicle is the next to the top-of-the-line 1794 trim. There are 3 trim levels below this, or you can move up to the TRD Pro and Capstone edition.
In case you are wondering why it is called the 1794, you see in 1794, a Spanish colonist named Juan Ignacio de Casanova established a ranch in the heart of Texas, between Leon Creek and the Medina River. Many years later, Toyota purchased this ranch from Casanova's successors, and upon that land built the factory where the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia are made.
I find the exterior to be just beautiful, especially in this Wind Chill Pearl color. The 20” alloy wheels are gorgeous (wish it had the 22s), the sculpted V-shaped hood looks great, there is a nice amount of aluminum trim on the outside, a spoiler on the rear, and I love the new sequential front and rear turn signals. It’s a great-looking SUV overall.
Interior
As you enter the cabin, the brown all-leather interior looks amazing with darker brown accents (think Ford King Ranch). The seats are wide and incredibly comfortable, and they are power on both sides with memory, they are heated and cooled, and offer power lumbar support. The interior is very Lexus-like, and real American walnut wood adorns and looks great.
When you hit the start button, a 12” configurable gauge cluster comes to life and gives you a lot of different information on the i-Force Max power train. You can get real-time fuel economy rating as well as fuel range.
However, it is the massive 14” infotainment screen that steals the show. It operates the 14-speaker JBL stereo, navigation system, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This system is lightning fast and super simple. This is one of the best touchscreens I’ve ever seen, and I was able to sync my iPhone in a matter of seconds.
Under that are your air conditioning controls and switches for your heated and cooled seats.
Moving down is another row of buttons including: enabling the trailer towing mode, and the absolute best 360-degree camera I’ve ever seen. The onscreen SUV circles, and you can see everything around you. This is a great safety feature especially when in parking lots.
The center console is simple with the gear shifter, drive mode selector, a button to engage the 4-wheel system, and a wireless phone charger. Drive modes are eco, normal, Sport, and Sport S. There is also a button to enable tow/haul mode.
Moving to the second row, the captain chairs are as comfortable as the front ones, they recline but do not slide, and they are heated and cooled. Rear occupants have their own climate control settings, USB and USB-C ports and a 120-volt power outlet.
2nd row seats flip for easy access to the 3rd row seat, which have a power recline feature. Leg and headroom in the 3rd row are not as roomy as I expected, but usable for two not-so-large adults. The problem exists due to the raised floor to house the big hybrid battery.
Utility
Moving to the cargo area, there is an adjustable shelf that will allow you to make a flat surface with the 3rd row seats folded down. The 3rd row has power buttons and they go up and down quickly.
If there is a drawback to this wonderful SUV, it is cargo area behind the third-row seat. You can fold the third-row seats down, then slide them forward for 22-cubic inches of cargo area, but if there are people sitting in the third-row, it cuts that space in half. There is a movable shelf that I personally found annoying and cumbersome. If Sequoia comes up short anywhere, it is in cargo area in the rear.
The tailgate is power and hands-free, and you can open just the rear glass if you desire, a feature you’ll find you use often, and one that is pretty rare these days..
Standard Features and Options
This Sequoia 1794 comes extremely well-equipped with a huge panoramic moon roof, sign recognition, keyless entry, dual power seats, trailer hitch, a rearview camera mirror, and power tilt steering wheel.
Options include: The $600 10-inch color head-up display, $1,045 for the rear height-control load leveling system, the Pearl paint is $475, the deployable running boards cost $1,005, and the Tech Tow package with wireless trailer camera system is $850.
Safety
On the safety side, Sequoia comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 which includes pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beam headlights, and lane tracing assist. It also has blind spot warning.
Ride and Drive
Driving impressions are very good. The truck-based frame makes it feel solid, acceleration is fantastic, and it even has a very nice exhaust rumble that is reminiscent of a V8. Visibility is quite good, and the cabin is very quiet. The ride is terrific and has a luxury feel to it, and handling and steering are great for a very heavy SUV. Fuel economy for this Sequoia is 19 in town, 22 on the highway, and 20 overall. This SUV will tow 9,520 pounds.
What You'll Pay
MSRP is $86,055 as you see it here, which is actually less than many luxury SUVs equipped as this one is.
Verdict
Other than less 3rd row seat and cargo room than I’d like to see, this is an extremely impressive SUV.
- What I liked most: Engine performance and sound, interior and exterior appearance.
- What I would change: More cargo area that is easier to manuever.
- MSRP: Base price: $80,135/Total $86,035
- Fuel Economy: 19 City/22 Highway/ 20 combined.
- Odometer reading when tested: 900 miles.
- Official Color: Wind Chill Pearl.
- Weight: 6,130 pounds/GVWR 7,560 pounds.
- Length-Width-Height: 208.1” long/79.8” wide/74.5” high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 22.5 gallons with the filler on the driver’s side.
- Towing Capacity: 9,010 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Full-sized spare.
- Final Assembly Point: San Antonio, TX.
- 2025 Sequoia 1794 in a few words: A beautiful 3-row SUV that is capable, luxurious, and drives great at a competitive price.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty with roadside assistance, hybrid system is covered for 96 months/100,000 miles, hybrid battery is 120 months/150,000 miles and you get 2-years of free maintenance.
- Manufacturer’s website: Toyota
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