Written by Marco Carvajal
Toyota Sequoia
I am test driving the 2021 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, it is a massive and impressive SUV for 7 passengers. I call it the Rock! It is strong as a Rock but fast as a cheetah. The powerful Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 4×4 SUV can drive you on any terrain.
The Sequoia is classified as a full-size SUV, a kind of large truck, but on the inside, it is very luxurious and comfortable. It is solid, spacious, and can be very fancy on the inside depending on the trim level you drive.
If you want to ride inside a war-tank but feel like you are driving inside a luxury car then the Sequoia will do the job.
The Sequoia is a family SUV ready for any adventure. The Sequoia is a full-size SUV with a large and spacious cabin, versatile cargo, and a powerful V8 engine.
Three-Rows
The large space can accommodate 7 passengers in 3 rows. Driver and one passenger in the front, two passengers in the middle row with enough space between the two middle seats, then the third row has enough space for three passengers. Most SUVs have limited space in the third row, usually, the third row just has enough space for small passengers, but with the large Sequoia, the third tow is large enough for any size passenger to seat very comfortably in the back of the car.
The second and third row can be folded down to be converted into a full-size cargo SUV.
The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size, full-capability SUV manufactured by Toyota. It is mainly built for family road and trail adventures.
The Toyota Sequoia is named after the giant Sequoia redwood trees. Sequoia trees are some of the tallest in the world that gave inspiration to Toyota’s automotive engineers and architects when creating this massive SUV.
The Toyota Sequoia is the first popular mainstream full-sized SUV in North America that is built by a Japanese automaker.
Sequoia TRD Off-Road Performance
There are a few model trims for the Sequoia, but the one I am test driving, the TRD Pro is one of the best Sequoias when talking about off-road performance.
The three letters TRD stand for Toyota Racing Development. This line within the Toyota brand was originally developed for racing, but since vehicles intended for racing share many characteristics with those built for off-roading, it naturally evolved into what is now a type of vehicle that’s perfect for tackling different terrain because of its special suspension. The highest trim PRO is the best for off-road terrains.
There are three common grades in Toyota’s TRD line:
- Sport
- Off-Road, and
- Pro (the Sequoia TRD PRO I am test driving)
Fantastic four super hero “Thing” would love to drive the Sequoia. It is strong like a rock, almost indestructible, one of the toughest SUVs you can drive.
Highlights of 2021 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro:
- MPG: 13 City / 17 Hwy
- 381 hp / 5,600 rpm
- 5.7-Liter i-FORCE V8 DOHC
- 6-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission
- Rigid Industries LED fog lights
- “TOYOTA” grille with color-keyed grille surround
- 18-in. black BBS forged-aluminum TRD Pro alloy wheels
- Black cast aluminum running boards
- TRD Pro front and rear TRD-tuned FOX shocks with piggyback reservoirs
- TRD black roof rack
- Color-keyed auto-dimming heated power outside mirrors with power folding feature and turn signal indicators
- 7 seats in three rows
- Black leather-trimmed seats with red contrast stitching
- Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P)
- LED low- and high-beam headlights with auto-on/off feature
- Android Auto & Apple CarPlay compatible
- Smart Key System with Push Button Start
- Automatic three-zone front and rear climate control
- 7-inch touchscreen display
Trims and Pricing
The 2021 Sequoia line includes the following trims: SR5, Nightshade Edition, TRD Sport, TRD Pro, Limited, and Platinum grades, with a price range from $50K up to $64K. The one I am test driving is one of my favorite trims the TRD Pro.
2021 Toyota Sequoia SR5
$50,100 Starting MSRP
2021 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport
$52,815 Starting MSRP
2021 Toyota Sequoia Limited
$59,120 Starting MSRP
2021 Toyota Sequoia Nightshade Special Edition
$60,120 Starting MSRP
2021 Toyota Sequoia Platinum
$66, 150 Starting MSRP
2021 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro (the model I am test driving)
$64,225 Starting MSRP
Engine and Performance
V8…..all Sequoia models are powered by the supercharged engine with dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) 5.7-liter i-FORCE V8, which produces 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,600 RPM.
The powerful V8 engine works with a dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and an Acoustic Control Induction System to ensure complete torque across the engine’s entire speed range.
The i-FORCE V8 engine uses a 6-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission.
Optional Multi-Mode 4WD System – Standard on TRD Pro
In case you need to drive into extreme off-road, you can add the optional Multi-Mode 4WD system that comes standard on TRD Pro. This advanced 4WD system uses a lockable TORSEN limited-slip center differential to move torque to the front and rear wheels as needed, and a two-speed transfer case provides a low range ratio for tackling on very steep off-road conditions.
The advanced four-wheel independent suspension helps with outstanding bump absorption on-road and excellent wheel action when off-road.
Exterior style
The Sequoia looks massive and indestructible. The Sequoia TRD Pro front grille looks very strong and produces a nice design impact with the “TOYOTA” name in very big, bold letters. The front grille is also enhanced by LED fog lights made by Rigid Industries. The exterior look looks very solid with the 18×8 inches black BBS forged aluminum wheels using P275/65 R18 tires.
The TRD Pro-exclusive Lunar Rock color and other exterior color choices like Super White, Midnight Black Metallic, and Magnetic Gray Metallic can make the exterior of the Sequoia look more beautiful.
More design details like the black TRD Pro front door badges. A TRD front skid plate helps protect the front suspension and oil pan, and cast aluminum black running boards, and a TRD black roof rack looks good and it is very practical.
Interior style
The interior of the Sequoia is elegant and solid, it has a classy and fancy feel and looks on the inside. Not only is elegant but also very comfortable and provides a lot of space through its seven-seats and three-rows.
The Sequoia looks very elegant with the Black TRD Pro leather-trimmed seats with red contrast stitching and TRD Pro logos stitched into the front headrests. The TRD Pro all-weather floor mats are very good to protect the floor of your Sequoia.
The Sequoia TRD Pro features middle-row captain’s chairs and a third-row seat with 60/40 split backs that also recline.
All Sequoia multimedia systems feature a 7-in. touchscreen display and the latest smartphone compatibility for maximum versatility.
TRD Pro and Platinum trims upgrade the sound system with a standard Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL 14-speaker system, including subwoofer and amplifier for loud and quality sound onboard the Sequoia.
Spacious Third Row
Most three-row SUVs have a smaller third row. Usually, the third-row seat is only practical for children and small passengers, but the Sequoia is different. The third-row seat has a large space for adults. The third row can be split 60/40 or recline.
Safety Features
The Sequoia is heavy and powerful but it is also very safe. This full-size SUV comes with tons of standard safety features.
The advance Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) is standard on every Sequoia. This advanced active safety suite bundles the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Automatic Braking; Lane Departure Alert with Sway Warning System; Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Automatic High Beams for a safer ride with the Sequoia.
The Sequoia includes a precise and fast-breaking system. Toyota engineers are able to provide a great breaking experience combining 13.9-inch ventilated front disc brakes that use four-piston brake calipers and 13.6-inch ventilated disc brakes in the rear wheels
The standard Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) includes the following:
- Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Automatic Braking
- Lane Departure Alert with Sway Warning System
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with full stop technology and Automatic High Beams
- Standard Blind Spot Monitor
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
All Sequoia models come equipped with a standard Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. The interior features a dual-stage, advanced front airbag system, seat-mounted side airbags for the driver and front passenger, all-row side curtain airbags for all three seating rows, plus driver and front passenger knee airbags.
There are tons of safety features included on every Sequoia. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRAC), Smart Stop Technology (SST) brake override, On 4WD models, TRAC is replaced by A-TRAC (Active-Traction Control). All Sequoia models have a direct tire pressure monitoring system.
