2023 Toyota Sequoia

[John E Davies]

This is impressive…….

 

https://pressroom.toyota.com/standing-tall-all-new-2023-sequoia-full-size-suv-is-ready-to-make-its-mark/, 

There are still a few things I don't care for, and they haven’t published the payload specs,  but if my LC 200 died, I would look very hard at a Sequoia TRD Pro. Remove the heavy third row seats and put drawers underneath the adjustable platform:

Add the taller springs from a Tundra TRD Pro. Go have fun….. It should be a great match for the big Ollie.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Geronimo John]

Oh my.  You just turned my head 720 degrees!  Have you seen any tech spec's out on it?  Glad they went back to the Tundra frame and power train  like the 2005 generator was.

BTW, after about 260,000 miles, 12 years of crawling up mountains heavily loaded with hang gliders and crew, and then both of my sons for another couples of years each, we sold the family 2005 Sequoia.  Driven hard, fast and long, but maintained it was hyper reliable, and my most favorite tow and heavy off road vehicle for hauling.  Drats... you got me thinking again!

[Geronimo John]

And they took more than a few ques from the Land Cruiser as well!

[John E Davies]

Video: 

2023 Toyota Sequoia Overview | Toyota

John Davies

Spokane WA

[John E Davies]

I was confused in a big way about the rear suspension in the Tundra and the Sequoia. For some reason I thought it was IRS, like the previous model Sequoia. It is NOT, it is a multi-link solid rear axle. 

Is the ALL NEW 2023 Toyota Sequoia A Worthy Land Cruiser Replacement?

It is the same setup as the Tundra, which looks like this.

I am really glad about that, but I am not sure why I thought it was independent in back. 😳 Senior brain fart, I guess.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Trainman]

Looks like a great vehicle as most Toyota products are, I don't see my wife giving up her new Lexus, but it is also a Toyota product. I personally never cared for a large SUV for towing, including Suburban, Tahoe,  Excursion, Sequoia, etc., but now the new Waggoner has also interred in the picture. All probably good choices for towing the Oliver, but the Crew Cab pickup will always be my choice, just much more versatile for me.

[John E Davies]

Video test drive reviews videos have hit the Internet, big time, just pick one:

Google “2023 Toyota Sequoia review video”

Here is a test of the TRD Pro that includes some offroad stuff, fast forward to the 20:00 minute mark if you want the skip the intro.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j3Zomv68MFU

I think it would be great for towing the LE2, I have small reservations about third “fixed” row seats, I am sure there will be a way to get them out, make a flat platform for cargo, fool the electronic warnings, and maybe lose 100 pounds of dead weight. The last year model of the Land Cruiser 200 offered a special edition with no third row, no side steps and AT tires, maybe that is in the future for the Sequoia. I also don’t like the part time 4wd, but I know why they did it, better fuel economy. And the interior design would take some getting used to. And the placement of those twin turbos, so far down and buried under other parts. 😳😳😳😳😳

John Davies

Spokane WA

[John E Davies]

Looks like they are just starting to appear, this is the first one I have seen listed in the whole country on a dealer website, in Portland OR for a 20% dealer markup😳

https://www.toyotaofportland.com/auto/new-2023-toyota-sequoia-hybrid-portland-or/68919002/

John Davies

Spokane WA

[dewdev]

This mark-up is terrible!

 

[Steve Morris]

1 hour ago, dewdev said:

This mark-up is terrible!

 

Yep, but pretty common with Toyotas these days. I got my 2021 Land Cruiser $9000 under sticker. Three months later, they were selling ( not asking) for $30,000 over sticker, until every last one in the US was gone.

 

Crazy time! Which is why used cars are going for more than they cost when new. 

[CRM]

10 hours ago, Steve and Deb said:

Yep, but pretty common with Toyotas these days. I got my 2021 Land Cruiser $9000 under sticker. Three months later, they were selling ( not asking) for $30,000 over sticker, until every last one in the US was gone.

 

Crazy time! Which is why used cars are going for more than they cost when new. 

Looking at used Land Cruiser's right now and most of them that I'm interested in are selling over original sticker.

[John E Davies]

Keep in mind that new Land Cruisers are no more in the USA, at least for several years. That isn’t really the same as a brand new model Sequoia and unethical dealer price gouging. If you wait a year for a nice low miles used LC200 it will probably be even more costly. The Sequoia will eventually be “affordable”. I use that term loosely.

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/why-toyota-land-cruiser-discontinued/

I bought mine used in 2018 with 90k miles for $42,000 (about half the MSRP). I do not plan to get rid of it unless it burns up, is totalled or is stolen. It no longer looks brand new, but it drives like one, with no squeaks or rattles, even with almost 160,000 miles.

John Davies

Spokane WA

 

[Trainman]

Good Luck with finding a new Sequoia and getting one for a reasonable price. With Toyota's production figures going to be way down and dealer shortages predicted for the next two years, it looks like this vehicle is going to be for those who just want one at any price.  I like many can afford what I want, but I look at vehicles in todays market purchasing one at a high cost vs. commonsense, something I always keep in the back of my mind. I do admit the new 2023 model does have a much better look over the older models which I thought were pretty ugly and had really no styling. I see no reason not to go for it if that's your vehicle that will work for you. 

trainman

[John E Davies]

This is a little disheartening. The third row seats are slid forward and folded, you can see the odd raised ledge underneath where the hybrid battery is located. 

https://www.autoblog.com/2022/09/12/toyota-sequoia-luggage-test/

Those seats are not removable because Toyota wants them there to “protect the battery”. I am sure the industrious aftermarket will soon have a stout, completely flat cargo platform to install there, in place of those bulky and heavy seats, that will have tie-down rails and will provide enough protection for the electrical stuff underneath. It sure would be nice if Toyota would offer these trucks without that nasty third row. They did that for the last year Land Cruiser 200 Heritage Edition.

I’m still hoping to see one of these in the flesh before too long.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[John E Davies]

No thanks….

John Davies

Spokane WA

[bhncb]

8 minutes ago, John E Davies said:

No thanks….

John Davies

Spokane WA

Is their KBB dealer rating 4.4 out of 10?

[John E Davies]

3 minutes ago, bhncb said:

Is their KBB dealer rating 4.4 out of 10?

https://www.dealerrater.com/ncdn/u/NotSet/Documents/DealerRater-KBB-Integration.pdf

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Ralph Mawyer]

Anyone in the forum with an Elite II pulled the trigger on one of these? The non-disposable third row seats is a buzz kill for sure.

[bbrault]

On 1/26/2022 at 11:49 AM, John E Davies said:

This is impressive…….

 

https://pressroom.toyota.com/standing-tall-all-new-2023-sequoia-full-size-suv-is-ready-to-make-its-mark/, 

There are still a few things I don't care for, and they haven’t published the payload specs,  but if my LC 200 died, I would look very hard at a Sequoia TRD Pro. Remove the heavy third row seats and put drawers underneath the adjustable platform:

Add the taller springs from a Tundra TRD Pro. Go have fun….. It should be a great match for the big Ollie.

John Davies

Spokane WA

I am considering a Sequoia, the problem is trying to get one!

[rideandfly]

This dealer in Winston Salem NC has seven 2023 Sequoia in transit. We're happy with the 22 Tundra 3.5 twin turbo engine, same engine in the new Sequoia. We like pickup trucks, but if we were looking for an SUV, the Sequoia would be on the short list.

https://www.moderntoyota.com/sequoia/

 

[Geronimo John]

I'll keep my F-150 for sure.  Drats I'm a Sequoia fan but their marketing team missed the mark for some of us.   For example:

• Don't want the third row.
• Don't want just a 1360# payload so ditch the hybrid system and increase the payload!
• Must have the Center Transfer Case with ability to select 2H, 4H, 4A, and 4L capability.
• Factory ability to TPMS four of Ollie's tires.
• Camera system that allows an Ollie rear camera to be added in at a reasonable cost.
• No dealer markup.

At $65K+, surely they can provide a more capable machine for our boondockers.  I figure in about 3 or 4 years, Toyota will have gotten the message. 

GJ

 

[John E Davies]

I looked over my first one today at a dealer, a TRD Pro. I did not see a sticker since it had been sold, but it was listed at $80k. I think it looks great from the back, OK from the sides and front. There are two butt ugly FAKE air vents on top of the hood, maybe they could be removed without requiring a repaint, hopefully they are just 3M taped on. A sales guy opened the hatch for me and said how very disappointed all his sales buddies are with the miniscule cargo capacity of an 8 passenger vehicle. If I had one, all center and rear seats would have to come OUT and a storage platform system installed. I am sure the aftermarket is all over this problem.

I also think the turbos will be a long term maintenance headache, if they cannot be dropped straight down from the headers.

Some pics:

 

I wondered about the 33” spare tire underneath, it sticks way down, almost as far as the straight axle pumpkin, and will drag unless an owner adds some spring lift. The very pretty twin exhaust tips will be easily crushed too. No tow hooks up front or a place to install them. The breakover angle is horrible, but removing those boards would help some.. This isn ‘t a Land Cruiser 300, no way. Maybe we will see those in a couple of years.

I can buy a lot of fuel for my LC 200 for $90k….

My daughter bought a RAV4 Hybrid XLE there today, the dealer is family owned, does NOT mark up prices or force unwanted dealer add ons. Woohoo, one very happy young lady… her first new car. We took up a better set of tires, Yoko Geolander A/Ts to replace the crap OEM “high mileage” ones. We still got 40 mpg on the 90 mile drive home.

 

 

John Davies

Spokane  WA

 

 

[Geronimo John]

2019 F-150 3.5 EB, Super Crew FX4 Lariat:  $52K           2023 Toyota Sequoia $80K.

There just is not $28K in value added and inflation.

Sad commentary from a life long Toyota guy.

GJ

[mossemi]

6 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

2019 F-150 3.5 EB, Super Crew FX4 Lariat:  $52K           2023 Toyota Sequoia $80K.

2023 F-150 3.5 EB, Super Crew FX4 Lariet!  I think Ford has closed the gap.

Mossey

[Geronimo John]

16 hours ago, mossemi said:

2023 F-150 3.5 EB, Super Crew FX4 Lariet!  I think Ford has closed the gap.

Did you include the ROF (Retired Ole Fart) tail gate step, mud flaps, FX4 and HD Trailer package?  They likely would bring it closer to the $80K number.

🙂

Just having fun.

GJ