Toyota Sequoia Generations: Through the Years 

It challenged the likes of the Ford Expedition and GMC Yukon. Look back through the years and relive two decades of Toyota Sequoia generations!  

A Strong SUV with Staying Power 

2023 Toyota Sequoia – toyota.com |  Shop Toyota Sequoia on Carsforsale.com

Unlike some of our other Through the Years features, like the one we did on the Rolls-Royce Phantom or the one we wrote about the Porsche 911, the Toyota Sequoia is still relatively new by comparison. It’s already racked up 20+ years and three different generations of models, though. Sales have declined since 2008, but there are no signs that Toyota plans to drop the popular model. Perhaps it could face a hybrid future like the Toyota Tacoma, though? We’ll have to wait and see about that one.

The Toyota Sequoia is not only a full-size SUV, but it’s the one of the largest vehicles the Toyota brand has ever produced, second only to the Mega Cruiser, a military vehicle in Japan. The Sequoia was mostly made for the North American market, however. Not quite the luxury SUV that the Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX were, the Sequoia was meant to compete with the expanding (literally) SUV market and the likes of the Ford Expedition, the Chevrolet Tahoe, and the GMC Yukon. Shortly after the Sequoia came the Nissan Armada and other full-size SUVs.

1st Generation Toyota Sequoia (2001–2007) 

• Development of the Toyota Sequoia started in the mid-1990s. The design progressed enough that Toyota filed a patent in April 1998.
• After the introduction of the Toyota Tundra 1999 it was suspected that the Toyota Highlander was going to be a full-size SUV. Instead, the Highlander was used as a mid-size model and the Toyota Sequoia became the Tundra-based full-size SUV.
• The Sequoia was larger than the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon in terms of length, height, width, wheelbase, and even cabin space.
• Full production of the 2001 Sequoia started in September 2000 as the engine, dashboard, sheet metal, and chassis were all shared with the Tundra.

• The 2001 Toyota Sequoia also shared the same 4.7-liter V8 as the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus LX470. The engine was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Together, it made 240 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque and had up to a 6,500 lb. tow capacity.
• The Sequoia was available as the SR5 trim and the Limited trim. Both came with two-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (4WD).
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that the 2001 Toyota Sequoia achieved 12 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 16 mpg on the highway with 2WD or 4WD.
• There was room for eight passengers on three rows of seats in the ‘01 Sequoia. Inside was leather, a ceiling-mounted screen for the rear passengers, a ten-speaker JBL sound system, seat heaters, and a sunroof on the top-tiered Limited trim.

• Helping give the 2001 Toyota Sequoia a sharp look was the C-Pillar behind the doors. It was positioned in a forward position for added aesthetics.
• Toyota moved 68,574 Sequoia units in 2001.
• The only changes for the 2002 Toyota Sequoia were options for keyless remote entry and front fog lamps. Toyota sold 70,187 Sequoias in 2002, still the all-time high in a single year for the SUV.
• The 2003 Toyota Sequoia evolved with several new features, like 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview auto-dimming mirror, and two cordless headphones for the rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

• Updates for the 2004 Toyota Sequoia included a new five-speed automatic transmission, replacing the four-speed gearbox from previous models.
• Power front seats, along with rear-seat air conditioning, became standard on the 2004 Toyota Sequoia SR5. The sunroof was added as a standard feature on the Limited trim, too.
• After four successful model years, it was time for a facelift. The 2005 Toyota Sequoia used an in-glass antenna and redesigned taillamps.
• Under the hood, output increased to 282 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque with a 4.7-liter V8.

• The SR5 was available with a new sport package that included running boards, a height-adjustable rear suspension, foglamps, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a front skid plate. It also came with a JBL premium sound system.
• The Limited wasn’t left out either. The Limited Luxury package featured second-row leather bucket seats, wood cabin trim, a driver’s seat with memory settings, height-adjustable rear suspension, and memory settings for the outside mirrors.
• That wasn’t the end of the updates, though. There was an optional navigation system and an available push-button start for the 4WD models.
• After so many updates for the 2005 model, there weren’t any updates on the 2006 Toyota Sequia. However, more accurate development in the Standard American English (SAE) system actually dropped the measurement of the 4.7-liter V8 to 273 horsepower.
• Updates were, again, minimal for the 2007 Toyota Sequoia, but front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags became standard across the lineup.

2nd Generation Toyota Sequoia (2008–2022) 

• Completely redesigned, the 2008 Toyota Sequoia was unveiled at the November 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. Design and mechanical changes included a rear independent suspension with double wishbones and coil springs, a fully boxed frame, and a larger presence than previous models.
• The new design resulted in an extra 500 lbs. of weight, two extra inches in length, and four more inches in the wheelbase.
• The SUV itself wasn’t the only thing that was bigger. Though the 4.7-liter V8 was kept, there was another engine option this time around. Driving the Sequoia forward was a 5.7-liter V8 that delivered an intensified 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. The new setup also included a six-speed automatic transmission.
• All of this helped increase the comfort of the 2008 Toyota Sequoia, whether it was on back roads, the highway, or city streets. More capable than before, the 2008 Sequoia could tow up to 9,100 lbs. The new suspension also gave the Sequoia a tighter turn radius.

• The new 5.7-liter V8 was rated at 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway with 2WD. With 4WD, those numbers drop slightly to 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.
• Another 2008 Sequoia change was the addition of a new, top-of-the-line trim: the Platinum. This trim featured up to 20-inch wheels, load-leveling rear air springs, adaptive shock absorbers, a power liftgate, second-row captain’s chairs, a navigation system, a backup camera, and heated and cooled front seats. Power-folding third-row seats folded in a 60/40 split.
• The next change came with the 2009 Toyota Sequoia in the form of an available sports package. The SX had 20-inch wheels, fog lights, and a rear spoiler.
• 2010 Toyota Sequoia models received a new base 4.6-liter V8 engine with 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque. It also increased the fuel efficiency of the base engine to 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

• Some of the packages available on previous model years were eliminated, but Bluetooth and audio controls became a standard feature on the SR5 base trim. Platinum models were given wood trim on both the shifting gear and steering wheel. Every 2010 Sequoia had USB ports and iPod integration.
• The large chrome grille and the tail lamps were slightly revised for this model year, too.
• After no changes on the 2011 Toyota Sequoia, the 2012 Sequoia came standard with trailer sway control. Platinum models also received a blind-spot warning.
• The 4.6-liter V8 that was added for the 2010 Sequoia was eliminated from the 2013 Sequoia lineup. Blu-Ray capability was added to the entertainment system as well.

• Most of the upgrades on the 2014 Toyota Sequoia could be found in the entertainment system, specifically the audio. Every trim received different audio packages, with the Platinum trim getting Entune Premium JBL audio.
• Though there weren’t any major updates on the 2015 Toyota sequoia, it did receive a newly designed sunroof, and the rearview camera feature became a standard one.
• The only real updates on the 2016 Toyota Sequoia were on the infotainment system and optional blind spot monitoring on the Limited trim level.
• In September 2017, workers at the Toyota plant in Indiana built the five millionth vehicle that originated from the facility. That vehicle was a Toyota Sequoia Platinum.

• After no changes for the 2017 Toyota Sequoia, the 2018 model received LED headlights and a slightly revised grille and gauge cluster.
• Some driver assistance features became standard across the lineup, too. They included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic start-stop technology, and a rear cross-traffic alert.
• In addition, one more trim was added to the mix: the TRD Sport. Along with a sport-tuned suspension, the TRD Sport has 20-inch wheels and exterior blackout styling.
• There were no changes made to the 2019 Toyota Sequoia, over 10 years old at that point. However, the 2020 Sequoia received a few upgrades like a new suspension, a new seven-inch touchscreen, and available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

• Toyota also introduced the new TRD Pro trim. Atop the trim ladder, the TRD Pro was the off-road-oriented version of the Sequoia, equipped with Fox shock absorbers and a front skid plate. Inside, the TRD Pro featured black, branded seats and a 14-speaker stereo.
• For the first time in its history, the Toyota Sequoia dipped below 10,000 units sold in 2020, maxing out at only 7,364 vehicles.
• A Nightshade Special Edition package adds black 20-inch wheels and black exterior trim, badges, and body molds to the 2021 Toyota Sequoia. The Nightshade also has second-row captain’s chairs.
• It was time to put the Sequoia up against the competition, so we did in our Head-to-Head: 2021 Chevy Tahoe vs Toyota Sequoia comparison. We also took a look at the 2022 model in our Head-to-Head: 2022 Nissan Armada vs Toyota Sequoia review.
• Outside of a new paint choice, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia ended the second generation of the SUV virtually unchanged from the 2021 model. For a breakdown of the price, specs, and features, you can read our full review of the 2022 Toyota Sequoia.

3rd Generation Toyota Sequoia (2023–Current) 

• Kicking off only the third generation of the Toyota Sequoia but the 21st year of production, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia debuted with brand-new elements all over.
• Built from the ground up, the 2023 Sequoia rides on a new body-on-frame platform shared with the Lexus LX, the Toyota Land Cruiser, and the Toyota Tundra.
• The 2023 Sequoia was also similar to the 2023 Tundra in terms of styling, giving the Sequoia a bolder, bigger presence.
• Maybe the biggest change was the hybrid powertrain. It combined a gasoline-powered twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 with an electric motor generator and a 10-speed automatic transmission. Total output for that grouping was 437 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque.

• RWD was standard on the 2023 Sequoia, but 4WD with a high/low transfer case was standard on the TRD Pro and offered at other trim levels.
• The EPA estimated that the 2023 Sequoia could get 21 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway with 2WD. It only dropped to 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway with a 4WD setup.
• Another trim was added to the 2023 Sequoia, too. The range-topping Capstone trim had a price tag of $78,300, but it did come with exclusive 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels, sound-insulated windows, wood interior trim, leather upholstery, and a head-up display.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, and hands-free keyless entry were included at every trim level. So were driver assists like front and rear parking sensors and a blind-spot warning with a rear cross-traffic alert.

2024 Toyota Sequoia – toyota.com |  Shop Toyota Sequoia on Carsforsale.com

• It’s because of all the upgrades, revamped interior, and high-tech features that the 2023 Toyota Sequoia made our list of the Best Full-Size SUVs of 2023.
• The 2024 Sequoia was just released. While it doesn’t have a bunch of new features, a TRD Off-Road Package is available for the Platinum trim, and a Nightshade Package is offered for the Limited trim.
• If you’re considering getting a full-size SUV, be sure to look at our full review of the 2024 Toyota Sequoia. It covers the pricing, the performance, the features, and more on the latest Sequoia.

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