The large, traditional truck-based SUV continues to pull in sales and profits, a segment too important for major manufacturers to pass up. GM dominates the market across three brands, but Ford, Jeep, and Nissan are also present.
Not to be overlooked is the Toyota Sequoia, a recently overhauled people mover with space for up to eight. This model is offered exclusively as a hybrid and combines style, premium features, and performance to deliver a strong contender.
2025 Toyota Sequoia Overview
Now in its third year, the current-generation Toyota Sequoia comes in six trims: SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro, and Capstone. Prices range from $62,425 to $83,915, plus a $1,945 delivery, processing, and handling fee.
Most trims come with standard rear-wheel drive, while four-wheel drive is a $3,000 upgrade. Fully packed, a 2025 Sequoia pushes $90,000, but that is not uncommon for the market.
See Also – 2023 Toyota Sequoia Review
Beefy Design
The Toyota Sequoia occupies the girthiest segment of passenger vehicles, typically models that share the same architecture as full-size pickup trucks. In this case, the Sequoia parallels the Toyota Tundra.
The two, though, do make some design departures with grilles unique to each model. While the headlight designs are similar, the Sequoia’s seem softer and better integrated than the Tundra’s.
The traditional SUV design of the Sequoia gives this model a powerful, unique take on the segment. Behind its upright front fascia is a wide, beveled hood that connects with the upright greenhouse that defines this model.
Strong upright pillars, a high beltline, and chiseled character lines supply definition. The wheel designs, lighting, and chrome-like touches further enhance this SUV.
Room for Eight
On paper, the Toyota Sequoia seats up to eight, when configured with bench seats in the second and third row. The dilemma, though, is the rear seat, which offers tight quarters, limited legroom, and thinner seats than the second row.
Most people, though, who need room for eight should consider either the Toyota Sienna van or the Toyota Grand Highlander crossover SUV. This explains why Toyota offers the Grand Highlander as an alternative, providing a more spacious crossover option with a longer wheelbase than the standard Highlander, while still being more manageable than the burly Sequoia.
But if it is a traditional SUV experience that you crave, the Sequoia is the way to go. Unlike most other Toyotas that are not a Tundra, this model pulls horse trailers, fishing boats, and travel trailers. If you can do without space for eight, we recommend swapping out the middle row bench seats for the available captain’s chairs. These thrones are comfortable and give third-row people more room to maneuver.
Overall, the cabin offers premium features with most models dressed in imitation leather or real hides. Soft-touch surfaces dominate with hard plastics mostly reserved for out of the way places.
Most trims include heated and ventilated front seats with a heated steering wheel. Some models add heated and ventilated second-row seats. The top half of the six trims come with massaging front seats. Yes, luxury features found in most Lexus models do, indeed, trickle down to top-flight Toyota models.
The driver sits high and comfortably, with ample back and hip support. The tallest of the lot should find more than sufficient space, which underscores the popularity of such vehicles. The front seats slide almost as far back as imaginable, perhaps beckoning NBA star Nikola Jokić to slip behind the wheel.
In addition to the standard comfort features, the 2025 Sequoia includes a panoramic moonroof on most trims. There are numerous storage spaces throughout all three rows.
The interior cargo space presents a notable limitation: due to the hybrid powertrain and solid rear axle design, the cargo floor is not completely flat when the third row is folded, potentially impacting the loading of larger items.
Tech and Safety
The 2025 Toyota Sequoia packs an impressive list of standard and available technology features. Even the base SR5 comes well-equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 30-day Wi-Fi Connect. Beginning with the Limited trim and a 14-inch touchscreen is standard. Other upgrades include a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging.
Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 comes standard across the lineup, featuring driver-assist features like a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, and lane tracing assist. Other features include adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Also standard are blind spot monitoring, rear traffic assist, and automatic braking.
Move up the trim range and features such as a panoramic view monitor, multi-terrain monitor, and a tow technology package can be had. The tow package makes it easy to connect a trailer, backup, and negotiate tight turns. Included with the TRD Pro is crawl control, multi-terrain select, and downhill assist control. Toyota also supplies this model with an electronic rear differential.
Under the Hood
Like so many other Toyota products, the Sequoia is a hybrid. In this case, that is the only choice you have. While Toyota hybrids are typically known for offering high fuel efficiency, the Sequoia is not designed that way.
Just like the full-size Toyota Tundra pickup truck with a hybrid option, the Sequoia emphasizes power over efficiency.
To achieve this goal, Toyota strategically positioned the electric motor between the engine and transmission, creating an integrated powertrain where both power sources work in tandem to maximize output rather than fuel economy.
As a result, the 3.4 liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine and the electric motor combine to deliver 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Power routes to the rear wheels or to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
This robust powertrain makes an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 24 mpg highway for a combined 22 mpg. However, we stayed below 19 mpg for the week we drove the Sequoia, which involved mostly highway driving.
If you tow, the 2025 Sequoia pulls up to 9,520 pounds when properly equipped. Its payload capacity ranges from 1,435 to 1,785 pounds. Both sets of numbers place the Sequoia amongst its peers, which include the Chevrolet Suburban, Ford Expedition, and Jeep Wagoneer.
On and Off Road
Toyota’s advanced hybrid system significantly surpasses the performance of the previously available V8 engine. The twin turbos rapidly spool while the electric motor efficiently delivers energy to the wheels, providing ample power instantly.
The 10-speed automatic transmission adds four additional cogs over the previous choice. It shifts smoothly without hesitation even under hard acceleration.
Most Sequoias are driven on hard pavement, chiefly because that is what customers prefer. It offers a comfortable ride with its size supplying an advantage when traversing roads with bumps and potholes.
The steering though, is light, offering less of a connection to the road than desired. The brakes are firm, but at times may feel squishy, common to hybrids where brake kinetic energy is harnessed to replenish the battery system.
This model has a solid rear axle, which is ideal for towing, but increases body movement, particularly when cornering. Higher trim models offer a rear height control suspension system that enhances ride comfort.
Taking the Sequoia off road is an option when equipped with four-wheel drive. Its bulky size though makes it less of an ideal rock climber than two other Toyota models – 4Runner and Land Cruiser – but if you must ascend a steep embankment or travel a wide, rocky path, you can do so in confidence.
We recommend equipping the Sequoia with brush guards and fender flares to protect the body. In any case, the TRD Pro is best equipped for off-roading as these come with factory skid plates.
Toyota Sequoia Considerations
Your choice of trim will depend on your intended use of the Sequoia. The base model is affordable, but adding upgrades and four-wheel drive can push the price over $75,000, still less than a fully loaded GMC Yukon XL, which exceeds $100,000.
Read Also – 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Review
Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.
Matt is a member of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a contributor to various print and online media sources including NAPA, CarsDirect, CapitalOne, and Driven Autos.
- 2025 Toyota Sequoia Review (Luxury Hybrid Muscle) - May 1, 2025
- Midsize Might: 2025 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Review - Mar 28, 2025
- 2025 Mazda CX-50 Hybrid: Worth the Wait? (Our Review) - Mar 25, 2025