2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone 4WD
Class: Massive SUV
Passenger capability: 7
Miles pushed: 200
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortB+
Energy and PerformanceB+
Match and FinishB+
Gas EconomyB
ValueB
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup.
Huge & Tall Consolation
Huge GuyA
Tall GuyB
Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs437-horsepower 3.4L
Engine TypeTurbo hybrid V6
Transmission 10-speed computerized
Drive 4WD
Actual-world gas economic system: 17.8 mpg
Driving combine: 50% metropolis, 50% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 19/22/20 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas kind: Common gasoline
Base worth: $78,300 (not together with $1595 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Particular coloration ($425), sprint cam ($499), ball mount ($87)
Worth as examined: $80,906
Fast Hits
The good: Ample energy, roomy and comfy cabin
The nice: Huge touchscreen, easy management format, stable really feel
The not so good: Difficult cargo-area association, overly agency trip
Tom Appel:
In a automobile class during which each mannequin is a minimum of fairly good, it takes a bit of one thing further to face out. That’s very true within the giant SUV section. Now in its third era, the totally redesigned 2023 Toyota Sequoia newly comes with two options that ought to assist this massive SUV be a focus for buyers: a brand new luxurious trim stage, and a class-exclusive hybrid powertrain. We’ll get to the powertrain a bit of later.
The brand new Sequoia is obtainable in 5 trim ranges: entry SR5, midline Restricted, upscale Platinum, off-road-ready TRD Professional, and new topline Capstone. Notice that although Capstone is the most-luxurious model of the 2023 Sequoia, it’s not the most-costly. That distinction goes to the TRD Professional, which out stickers the Capstone by $700.
And, beginning at $79,895, the Sequoia Capstone is priced simply barely above the Chevrolet Tahoe Excessive Nation and GMC Yukon Denali. Not like the Chevy and GMC, or the Ford Expedition and Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer, the Sequoia is simply supplied as a standard-length mannequin that’s simply barely shorter in general size than the opposite autos within the aforementioned aggressive set. For a whole breakdown of the Sequoia lineup, take a look at our First Look article right here.
Check Drive: 2022 Toyota Tundra Capstone
Client Information spent per week within the new Tundra Capstone, and got here away largely impressed. We do have just a few complaints, nevertheless.
Let’s begin inside. Although very properly completed, the Capstone cabin doesn’t come off as Lexus-light, not fairly. That mentioned, there’s one thing about how most Toyota interiors look nicely put collectively. There’s a fussiness to the suits and finishes that in some way assures us that the automobile or truck you’re in will simply go 200,000 miles. The Tundra Capstone cabin feels this fashion; it’s tidy, fastidiously thought-about, and appropriately upscale feeling.
As this driver has identified on Twitter, the brand new, enormous, touchscreen isn’t solely simple to learn, however all of the accessible house is put to wonderful use. The “media” display, for instance, shows an enormous album cowl or podcast brand, with all the related program data accessible adjoining to the picture. It’s clear, it’s easy, it’s good.
As for consolation, there’s ample room within the first and 2nd seating rows, although the 2nd row now not slides fore and aft, however the 3-rd row now does. As for the Third row, there’s an affordable quantity of leg room, however adults will need for headroom. Additionally, the “legs-forward” seating place within the again row will seemingly show fatiguing for bigger occupants on lengthy journeys.
What’s New For 2023: Toyota
And, right here’s a bummer: due to the hybrid drivetrain—the battery particularly—the Third-row seats don’t fold flat into the ground. As an alternative, as a result of the battery lives down beneath the load ground, the seatbacks merely fold down over the seat bottoms. To compensate for this—form of—the Sequoia is provided with an adjustable cargo shelf that may be moved to permit for a steady load ground. This appears like an undue problem, and isn’t one thing patrons of $80,000 SUVs will wish to cope with. This association could show to be a deal breaker for customers trying to do quite a lot of cargo hauling.
However about that drivetrain…
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Borrowed from the not too long ago redesigned Tundra giant pickup, Toyota’s i-Drive Max engine gives loads of energy, and considerably higher gas economic system than the previous-generation Sequoia. Mated solely to a 10-speed computerized, the hybridized, turbocharged, 3.4-liter V6 pumps out a stout 437 horsepower. Although we didn’t get near the EPA 20-mpg mixed estimate, our 17.8 mpg noticed gas economic system is about 15 p.c higher than we reported seeing throughout our final analysis of the less-powerful previous-generation Sequoia. It’s additionally higher than we’ve seen in aggressive SUVs.
On the street we discovered the Sequoia nice sufficient, however not fairly as refined as different autos on this class. Principally we had been disenchanted however the quantity of wind and street noise at freeway velocity, and the overly agency trip. No complaints concerning the energy, because the i-Drive Max powertrain made simple work of passing and merging operations. That mentioned, we noticed quite a lot of sudden transmission downshifts throughout deceleration, which we assume had been associated to the hybrid-battery regeneration system. Although not harsh, the shifts had been pronounced, and considerably at odds with the Capstone’s luxurious mission.
Fast Spin: 2021 GMC Yukon AT4
And although not precisely athletic, we discovered our take a look at truck to be a reliable handler, with higher steering really feel and fewer cornering roll that the opposite vehicles on this class.
There are so few entries on this section that severe buyers owe it to themselves to check drive all of the accessible vehicles. We predict the cargo-area state of affairs can be an issue for a lot of buyers, as could the Toyota’s freeway trip high quality. However just like the previous-generation Sequoia, this newest instance seems and feels stable, and feels just a bit sportier than the competitors. Does the brand new Capstone trim stage or hybrid powertrain give Sequoia an edge within the section? Possibly not, however they do hold Toyota’s greatest rig fascinating sufficient to remain on buyers’ radar.
Check Drive: 2022 Jeep Wagoneer Collection II
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2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone Gallery
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First Look: 2023 Toyota Sequoia
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