2026 Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO: The Brand’s Fullsize Three-Row Hybrid SUV

 

Highlight: A 6-cylinder hybrid powertrain fuels all of the Sequoias.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $88,486 (Base SR5 MSRP): $67,120

Seating Capacity: 7

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bags; a rear camera; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a rear cross traffic alert system; and a tire pressure monitoring system; a multi-terrain select and crawl control system monitor; 4WD demand; and a pre-collision system

Standard Equipment (on test vehicle): 18-inch BBS forge aluminum wheels; 10-speed automatic transmission; red push button ignition starter system; a three zone automatic climate control system; driver select mode for towing/hauling; transfer case and electric locking rear differential; TRD off-road suspension with FOX shocks; auto leveling headlights; Toyota grille with LED Light bar; TRD aluminum skid plates; heated/ventilated front seats; leather like seating power folding sliding third-row seats; heated leather steering wheel; adjustable cargo shelf; and power liftgate with flip-up glass

Options: power extending tow mirrors with convex spotter and work light; wave maker exterior paint; power tilt panoramic roof with power sunshade; tow tech package with wireless trailer camera system; ball mount; TRD performance package: dual air intake boxes, TRD, cat-badge exhaust, TRD performance badge, TRD performance premium fuel sticker; wireless charging; and wheel locks

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 14-speaker AM/FM JBL audio system with SiriusXM

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 50,000 miles

Hybrid Powertrain Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Hybrid Battery Warranty: 10 years/150,000 miles

Towing Capacity: 9,020 lbs

Engine/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder twin turbo hybrid engine/437-hp

Standard Fuel Mileage: 19-city/22-hwy (test model)

What’s New: For the 2026 model year, Toyota has a few tweaks to the trims.

Why:

A hybrid powertrain

One of the best hybrid battery warranties in the segment/industry

AWD

Power folding mirrors

Roomy

King of the road, vibrant color and massive tires

Great road vehicle in terms of comfort and drivability

Loads of storage

Power folding and sliding third row seats

Second row captain chairs

A towing mammoth

Crystal clear higher end audio system

A co-pilot assist steering system

Panoramic power sunroof with sunshade

Throaty exhaust system

Heated and ventilated front seats

A heated steering wheel

Wireless charging

A host of safety driving aids

Power fold in exterior mirror

Power liftgate and separate flip glass

A terrain crawl control monitor system

A three-zone automatic climate control system

But:

Too much vehicle to drive on city streets

Extended exterior mirrors make it extremely difficult to see vehicles or objects when making turns

Sketchy voice system to operate the infotainment system for navigation and audio purposes

Verdict: After spending a week driving a compact sedan, it was a big adjustment to drive what seemed at the time a humongous body-on-frame Toyota Sequoia. While it took a moment to readjust our driving habits, driving ‘Big Blue’ the name we affectionately gave the Sequoia immediately became one of our favorite large SUVs.

The three-row fullsize Sequoia is based-off of Toyota’s Tundra fullsize truck. So, unlike many car-based crossovers that like to disguise themselves as a SUV, the Sequoia is the embodiment of a SUV represents. And unlike some of its competitors, the Sequoia we tested doesn’t drive like or handle like a stiff truck.

The Sequoia, with its supercharged hybrid powertrain, towing capacity and people carry capacity is the perfect vehicle for those seeking to maximize every opportunity while spending time with family, friends, co workers or just a solo drive.

Unlike the last Sequoia we tested a few years ago, ‘Big Blue’ was distinct, attracting attention for passersbys. From the all-new vibrant Wave Blue exterior color to the 18-inch black forge alloy wheels to the macho-sounding exhaust system, this Sequoia had a presence unlike other big body SUVS.

And although initially, we thought ‘Big Blue’ was too much vehicle for the road, especially with the optional dual extended exterior power mirrors, which impeded our vision when making turns, just like bringing a new puppy home for the first time, we eventually warmed up to it.

Moreover, while most SUVs strength is defined by a throaty V8 engine being packed underneath the hood and/or the towing power, this Toyota drove outside of the lane, no pun intended.

Unlike GM’s array of SUVs: the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon, ‘Big Blue’ wasn’t outfitted with a V8 engine. In fact, like the Nissan Armada, the Toyota Sequoia is only fueled a 6-cylinder hybrid powertrain. Furthermore, despite being configured with a 6-cylinder engine, ‘Big Blue’s’ towing capacity exceeded many of its fullsize three-row competitors. Go figure.

Added to that, outside of the brawniness of ‘Big Blue,’ the cabin’s interior contains many of the features one expects for both off-roading and city drives. From the wide leather-like seats to the panoramic sliding roof to the popping JBL audio system, ‘Big Blue’ oozes confidence.

Furthermore, the adventurous Sequoia incorporated a host of semi- autonomous features, too. They ranged from the crawl control system which could be used for off-roading to the co-pilot assist steering system to guide drivers while cruising on the highway.

And lastly, while we squawked at the near $90,000 price tag, we must admit it’s a standout.

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