2020 Toyota Sequoia Review

　　

2020 Toyota Sequoia Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　The Toyota Sequoia has been soldiering on for over a decade without any drastic changes. It's still using the same Tundra-based body-on-frame design and employing the same 5.7-liter V8 under the hood for power, paired with the same six-speed automatic transmission. The exterior look has stayed the same, and many of the cabin materials are beyond showing their age. It's not all bad, though. Towing is still robust, there's plenty of space for passengers, and it has real off-road chops.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Toyota Sequoia SR5 4dr SUV (5.7L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$257/mo  for Sequoia SR5

　　Sequoia SR5

　　SR5 4dr SUV (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $49,980 MSRPSR5 4dr SUV 4WD (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $53,205 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr SUV (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $52,695 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $55,920 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $58,990 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $62,215 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr SUV 4WD (5.7L 8cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $64,105 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $66,020 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV 4WD (5.7L 8cyl 6A) - $69,245 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Unfortunately, the fuel economy is middling, the interior design outdated and, until recently, it was lacking in the tech department. Toyota attempted to bring the Sequoia closer to the 21st century by adding a new 7-inch touchscreen with smartphone compatibility, but it proved underwhelming in our testing. However, the Safety Sense-P system is now standard on all Sequoias, providing adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard.

　　Toyota has also added a TRD Pro trim to the lineup, giving the Sequoia a bit more street credibility and a step up on the competition when it comes to off-road capability. The TRD Pro comes equipped with upgraded Fox shocks, skid plates and cool blacked-out emblems. Plus there's significant ground clearance, and this true body-on-frame truck platform will help take this hulking SUV pretty far into the wilderness.

　　Despite its most recent additions, the Sequoia hasn't really leaped to the front of the class. More recently redesigned competitors such as the Ford Expedition and the Chevrolet Tahoe have it beat. But the 2020 Toyota Sequoia does have a lot to offer for shoppers looking for a full-size SUV, especially with this round of updates.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Sequoia drive? Think of the Sequoia as a Tundra pickup with three rows and an SUV roof. It's got the same kind of effortless power from its big V8 engine, and that makes it well suited to towing trailers, boats and other toys. It also makes for easy highway passing when it's not pulling a load. That's backed up by our track-measured 0-60 mph time of 7.4 seconds, which is only a few tenths behind the class leader. 

　　At almost 6,100 pounds, and with light steering that doesn't have much road feel, the Sequoia isn't our first pick for winding roads. But it's surprisingly agile for its size, and the upgraded TRD Pro suspension should make hill climbs and descents a little more stable and add some confidence to braking maneuvers.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Sequoia? All-around comfort and surprising serenity are the Sequoia's main strengths. The seats don't offer much side-to-side support. They're basically just big chairs that provide solid long-haul support. The front seats are limited in adjustments, however. We do like the Sequoia's plush ride quality. It absorbs impacts and shrugs off smaller bumps not unlike a luxury SUV.

　　Tire and wind noise is well suppressed, but you'll hear the engine straining when it's working hard. The height-adjustable suspension helps maintain comfort when hauling heavy loads. The air conditioning blows strong and cold in the back row, but it's oddly weak up front when all three zones are pumping.

　　

Interior

7.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Sequoia feels spacious, but you expect that given its size. Getting into the Sequoia's first two rows requires a step up, but the running boards and grab handles help. The second-row seats tilt and slide, making for easy third-row entry, but getting out requires a limber, deliberate effort, especially for tall adults.

　　There is plenty of room for heads, arms, elbows and shoulders all around. The downside is that the driver and front passenger will need to stretch to reach the touchscreen and stereo controls. The third row is narrow but offers good adult legroom. It's fine for short trips, but you don't really want more than six adults in this SUV.

　　

Technology

6.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Next to rival systems, the Sequoia's infotainment is sadly outclassed. The updated 7-inch touchscreen media interface already looks dated, but at least the resolution and response are decent. Device connectivity has been improved by upping the USB port count to three, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now available. But functionality was iffy, often freezing or disconnecting during our two weeks with it. Additionally there are four 12-volt ports situated about the cabin for charging various other devices.

　　Active safety tech, on the other hand, is fairly comprehensive and it's all standard from the base model on up. Every Sequoia has automatic emergency braking, blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control. However, competitors do have things such as lane keeping assist and the adaptive cruise that works down to a stop.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Utility is the Sequoia's game. Its cargo space, which is helped by two rows of fold-flat seats, is among the largest in the class and is arguably the key reason you buy a Sequoia. With 120.1 cubic feet of maximum space, it's only beat by the Chevrolet Suburban and the Ford Expedition Max.

　　With seats up, it's still impressive: 67 cubic feet with just the third row folded and 19 cubes of room for groceries with the third row up. A power liftgate enhances the ability to stuff the Sequoia full of gear. Slimmer plastic panels would increase capacity, but it's impressive as it is. The Sequoia offers so many nooks and cubbies that some personal items will disappear forever.

　　

Fuel Economy

5.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Our 4WD Sequoia TRD Pro is EPA-rated at 14 mpg combined (13 city/17 highway). The best tank we saw was 17.9 mpg during a long road trip, averaging about 17.5 mpg of mainly highway miles. Our previously tested TRD Sport, which has the same engine, returned 14.4 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation loop, and it averaged 13.6 mpg over all of the miles we drove it. That's not particularly impressive, but it is worth noting that we more or less matched its EPA rating, which suggests that the rating is not overstated. Still, its 4x4 rivals are rated higher. The combined rating of the Ford Expedition 4x4 is 19 mpg, and the Chevrolet Tahoe and Dodge Durango share a rating of 17 mpg. Even the chunky Nissan Armada bests the Sequoia with a rating of 15 mpg combined.

　　

Value

6.5/10

　　Is the Sequoia a good value? While stout and capable, the Sequoia doesn't quite feel modern enough at this price. The interior feels dated, the updated tech is still below par, and its fuel economy ranks lowest in its class. The Sequoia's cabin materials are outclassed by its rivals too, and hard-touch plastic makes it feel more like a Tundra pickup and less like a more affordable Lexus.

　　Toyota's record for reliability and high resale value is definitely worth something, and the ownership perks such as free early maintenance are nice to have. If the Sequoia's aging interior design and its excessive thirst for gasoline don't turn you away, then the underlying value proposition gets a bit stronger.

　　

Wildcard

6.0/10

　　We can't recommend the Sequoia as a first choice; competitors are simply that much newer, nicer and better. But the Sequoia has a few things going for it: primarily massive interior room, a powerful and reliable engine and transmission package, oddly satisfying handling, and bulletproof Toyota construction. Compared to the more elegant Expedition, the stately Tahoe or rambunctious Durango, the Sequoia comes off a little boring and a little bland.

　　And while there's a bizarre, sadistic pleasure in trying to hustle the Sequoia through curves (excessive body roll means you'll reach its limits soon enough), it's more fun to simply point the Sequoia in a straight line and punch the pedal. It's also a great road-tripper.

　　

Which Sequoia does zzdcar recommend?

If you plan on doing some serious off-roading in your three-row family hauler, check out the Sequoia TRD Sport or TRD Pro models. But for everyone else, we'd recommend the base SR5 Sequoia with the optional Premium package. You get all the Sequoia's standard equipment such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, as well as the optional stuff such as heated front seats and integrated navigation.

　　

2020 Toyota Sequoia models

The 2020 Toyota Sequoia is a full-size, three-row SUV available in five trim levels: SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Pro, Limited and Platinum. All trims are powered by a 5.7-liter V8 (381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional. The SR5 and Limited models seat eight passengers, while the second-row captain's chairs on the TRD Sport, TRD Pro and the Platinum reduce seating to seven.

　　The base SR5 comes with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a sunroof, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power driver's seat, a second-row bench seat, a 60/40-split reclining and fold-flat third-row bench, a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and an eight-speaker audio system. Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

　　Options for the SR5 include leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, a power-reclining and -folding third-row seat, and an integrated navigation system.

　　The Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport has a few mechanical differences that set it apart from the rest of the Sequoia line. Its sport-tuned Bilstein dampers and stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars help the SUV handle better on the road and take bumps off the road. Other cosmetic differences include unique badging, a black grille insert and a black roof rack. The Sequoia TRD Pro builds on that equipment with Rigid foglights, running boards, special emblems, skid plates, Fox shocks and all-weather floor mats.

　　The Limited model adds most of the SR5's available options plus power-folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a power rear liftgate, and rear side window sunshades. A premium 14-speaker JBL sound system is optional, as is a rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-ray player.

　　The top-of-the-line Platinum trim level comes standard with all the Limited's features, plus an adaptive air suspension (with a load-leveling rear), ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain's chairs, a second-row center console, and a power-adjustable steering wheel.

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2020 Sequoia Highlights

Trim: SR5TRD SportLimitedTRD PROPlatinumSR5

　　

Base MSRP	$49,980
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	15 MPG
Cost to Drive	$257/month
Seating	8 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	18.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles