2024 Toyota Sequoia Platinum TRD Hybrid 4x4: The Brand’s Three Row Flagship SUV

Highlight: The Sequoia is only available with a hybrid powertrain.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $81,610 (Base Model – SR5 4x2): $63,125

Seating Capacity: 7 or 8 (depending on trim)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a back up camera; a 360-degree camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; an electronic blind spot monitoring system; and a hill start control system; a lane departure system; a full speed radar activated cruise control system; a lane tracing assist system; automatic beams; a road sign assist system; and a trailer merger warning system

Standard Equipment (SR5): 18-inch wheels; a 10-speed automatic transmission; LED foglights; a power standard size moonroof; heated seats; a 12.3-inch digital instrument display; heated power auto dimming mirrors; black roof mounted antena; color keyed door handles; touch senor front door locking system; a single exhaust tip; front and rear mudguards; fabric seats; power adjustable lumbar support; heated front seats; 60/40 spilt reclining second row seats with a center armrest; one touch access to third row seating area from second row seats; multi-level adjustable cargo shelf system; leather shift knob; a soft touch instrument panel; a manual operated tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a three zone ventilation system; and a keyless push button ignition system

Standard Equipment (Platinum): 20-inch wheels; fixed running boards; auto-leveling headlights; leather seats; a power panoramic sunroof; front seats with power lumbar support; heated and ventilated front and second-row seats; second row captain chairs; power folding and sliding third row seat; an adjustable cargo shelf; a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel; and a power liftgate with flip up glass

Options: 20-inch wheels; all-terrain tires; off-road suspension with Bilstein shocks; skid plates; aluminum sport pedals; electronically controlled locking rear differential; a crawl control feature; multi terrain select; a downhill assist control system; and a HUD (heads up display)

Other Trim Levels:

Limited

Capstone

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 6-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty:  5 years or 60,000 miles

Hybrid Warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower: a 3.4-liter twin turbo, 6-cylinder engine/437-horsepower

Towing Capacity: 9,520 lbs

Recommended Fuel: regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 21-city/24-hwy (4x2)

What’s New:  After being redesign in 2023, the 2024 model year Sequoia is essentially a carryover except for a few package tweaks.

For the 2024 model year, a TRD offroad package is now available on the Platinum trim. And a Nightshades package is now available on the Limited trim.

Why:

Based off the Tundra, the Sequoia offers a stylish design

An aggressive, bold exterior design

Available in a variety of trims

A powerful hybrid engine

Excellent fuel economy

Second row captain chairs (TRD Pro)

4x2 or 4x4

A variety of driving modes

22-inch wheels available

A variety of trims

The TRD Pro is designed for off-roading

Requires regular fuel only

An optional panoramic sunroof available

A power tilt/telescopic steering wheel on select trims

Power running boards available on select trims

A power tilt/telescopic steering wheel

Leather seating area on select trims

Roomy vehicle

A high level of safety driving aids

A towing mammoth

Sliding second seats

Three-row seating

TRD package offers a more muffled sound via the exhaust system

Loads of cargo utility space when second and third row seats are folded down

But: 

A lot of heavy plastic found in the interior of the high dollar Platinum model

The base Sequoia has a high base level price than the Expedition XL, and GM’s pair of large SUVs

No extended version available like its American competitors from Chevy, Ford and GMC

Its a lot of vehicle for the road

Limited third row cargo area, when the last row is occupied.

Requires a subscription system for the navigation system like other Toyota and Lexus models.

The sound system doesn’t offer a crystal clear sound

Verdict: In its second year, the popular Sequoia continues to be a homeroom for the brand. The Sequioa, which is based off the current Tundra, is available in a variety of trims as a 4x2 or 4x4 SUv.

The mammoth SUV, which is capable of seating 7 or 8 occupants, is powered by a 3.4-liter, 6-cylinder powertrain, which can produce 434-horsepower. While several of its competitors offer a variety of powertrains, the hybrid powertrain in the big body SUV is more than adequate.

In addition to the powertrain, the Sequoia has the capacity to tow up to 9,250 pounds. Our high dollar Platinum model, which topped out just a hare over $80,000, when adding on options. The steeply priced SUV, which is inline with its competitors, can be outfitted with 20-inch wheels, heated and ventilated first and second row sears and second row captain chairs.

Furthermore, new for this year, the upscale Platinum trim can also be configured with Toyota’s offroad TRD package. The downside to adding this package is that it alters the suspension, making the vehicle feel firmer when driving on the street.

While the sales numbers on the Sequioa are relatively small, when going after its competitors, the stylish three-row SUV is definitely up to task in taking away customers from both Chevy and Ford.

Competition:  Chevrolet Tahoe; Ford Expedition; GMC Yukon; and Nissan Armada