2012 Toyota Sequoia Review
Price Estimate: $8,575 - $11,646





+154
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Massive interior with flexible seating
- serene ride
- graceful handling for its size
- brisk acceleration and high towing capacity with the 5.7-liter V8.
Cons
- Audio controls are hard to reach while driving
- well-equipped versions are pricey.
What’s new
Trailer sway control is now standard on every Toyota Sequoia, while a blind-spot warning system is now included on Platinum models.
Edmunds says
With class-leading refinement, versatility and user-friendly features, the 2012 Toyota Sequoia is one of the top picks among full-size SUVs.
For sale near Columbus, OH
53 listings
- $14,995fair price$881 below market
- 211,345 miles
- 2 accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 13 City / 17 Hwy MPG
- Dover Mazda (80 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Dover, OH
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (13 City/17 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5TDDW5G16CS062127
Stock: BMT187
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-15-2025 - 184,165 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 13 City / 17 Hwy MPG
- Toledo Auto Credit (117 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Toledo, OH
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
15 Combined MPG (13 City/17 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 5TDDW5G11CS061063
Stock: 061063
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-13-2025
Vehicle overview
Like the giant redwood that is its namesake, the 2012 Toyota Sequoia is big, impressive and hard to ignore. What's really surprising, however, is just how refined this full-size truck-based SUV can be. Inside, the Sequoia offers a huge, well-equipped cabin with comfortable seating for eight passengers (or seven with the available second-row captain's chairs). Equally noteworthy is the Sequoia's ride quality, which, thanks to its independent rear suspension, is markedly better than a number of other big SUVs. This is especially true of the Sequoia's top-of-the-line Platinum models fitted with the three-mode "adaptive" suspension.
Of course, few buy a full-size SUV primarily for comfort. The Sequoia has the hard-working angle covered, too, with an available 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine that delivers strong acceleration and a 7,400-pound towing capacity. An available four-wheel-drive system with a low-range transfer case and a healthy 10 inches of ground clearance also makes this beast reasonably capable off-road. An enormous cargo bay with second- and third-row seats that fold to create a flat load floor adds yet more practicality.
Truth be told, most buyers would likely be better served by one of the impressive large car-based crossover SUVs that are easier to drive, boast stronger fuel economy and offer similar interior accommodations. These include the Chevrolet Traverse (or its Buick Enclave and GMC Arcadia siblings), Ford Flex and Honda Pilot. However, should you need the added utility and capability that only a big, truck-based SUV can provide, then the 2012 Toyota Sequoia is in many ways the top choice when stacked up against competitors like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition.
Performance & mpg
The 2012 Toyota Sequoia is offered with one of two V8 engines. Both are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive. The optional four-wheel drive features a two-speed transfer case with electronic shifting and push-button locking.
Base SR5 models get a 4.6-liter V8 that makes 310 hp and 327 pound-feet of torque as standard equipment. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 13/18/15 with four-wheel drive.
The Limited and Platinum models come with a 5.7-liter V8 (optional on the SR5) that produces 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds performance testing, a Sequoia with this engine went from zero to 60 mph in a quick 6.7 seconds. EPA fuel economy is 13/18/15 with rear-drive and 13/17/14 with four-wheel drive. Properly equipped, a 5.7-liter two-wheel-drive Sequoia can tow up to 7,400 pounds.
Safety
Standard safety equipment for all 2012 Toyota Sequoias includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, trailer sway control, front-seat side-impact airbags, front knee airbags and three-row side curtain airbags. Front and rear parking sensors and a back-up camera are standard on Limited and Platinum trim levels. A blind spot warning system is standard on the Platinum version.
In Edmunds brake testing, the Toyota Sequoia required 127 feet to come to a stop from 60 mph, which is a short distance for SUVs in this class.
Driving
Like an all-star NBA center, the 2012 Toyota Sequoia moves pretty well for a vehicle its size. The 5.7-liter V8's abundance of low-end torque makes passing maneuvers effortless, and the six-speed automatic is always on point with gear selection, even when towing. Even the entry-level SR5 model's smaller 4.6-liter V8 is no slouch, particularly if you won't be maxing out your SUV's payload and towing capacities on a regular basis.
The Sequoia's ride quality ranges from very good to positively cushy on the Platinum model fitted with its standard adaptive suspension set to the "Comfort" mode. Handling is about what you'd expect from a vehicle this size (cumbersome) and the numb steering only increases the sense of heft. With 10 inches of ground clearance, four-wheel-drive models have some off-road potential, though the vehicle's sheer size makes it better suited to rutted fire roads than gnarly trails.
Interior
The Sequoia's passenger cabin offers abundant room for passengers, cargo or a combination of the two. Whether you opt for the eight- or seven-passenger variations, you'll find a more comfortable and versatile cabin than its rivals. The second-row seats in particular not only recline, but slide fore and aft for extra legroom -- a rare feature among full-sized SUVs. The center section of the 40/20/40-split second-row bench also slides forward to put little ones within easy reach of mom and dad. Controls are generally easy to use, but those for the audio system require a long reach for the driver.
The Sequoia's interior is well set up for carrying stuff, with 66.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats and a healthy 18.9 cubic feet behind the third row. While the popular Chevy Tahoe requires you to remove and stow its heavy third-row seats in order to maximize cargo space, the Sequoia's independent rear suspension allows its 60/40-split third-row seats to quickly fold down into the floor to create a vast 121 cubic feet of cargo space with all the rear seats folded. In the Limited and Platinum models, they fold with the touch of a button.
2012 Toyota Sequoia models
The 2012 Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV with seating for seven or eight passengers, depending on the model or options selected. There are three trim levels -- SR5, Limited and Platinum -- all of which are offered with a choice of rear- or four-wheel drive.
The SR5 base model comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, a roof rack, running boards, privacy glass, a towing package, a sunroof, keyless entry, a power vertically sliding rear window, cruise control, tri-zone automatic climate control, power front seats (eight-way driver, four-way passenger), a 40/20/40 sliding and reclining second-row bench seat, 60/40-split reclining and fold-flat third-row bench, cloth upholstery, cruise control, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.
The Limited adds 20-inch alloy wheels, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, driver seat adjustable lumbar, a power reclining and folding third-row seat, upgraded gauges, a rearview camera, rear side window sunshades (second and third rows) and a premium 14-speaker JBL sound system with a six-CD changer. Available options on Limited models include second-row captain's chairs, a rear-seat entertainment system and a navigation system with a touchscreen interface, real-time traffic info and a four-CD changer that swaps out the six-disc.
Those options are included on the top-of-the-line Sequoia Platinum, which also adds 20-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, load-leveling rear air springs, adaptive shock absorbers, adaptive cruise control, perforated leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, a 10-way power driver seat (adds thigh adjustment), driver memory functions, a power-adjustable steering wheel, heated second-row captain's chairs and a four-CD changer.
There are only two options for SR5 models, including a Sport Appearance package that bundles 20-inch chrome-clad alloy wheels, a body-color grille surround and second-row captain's chairs. Its Premium package includes many of the Limited model's extra standard features.

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Compare 2012 Toyota Sequoia trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$228/mo for Sequoia SR5
Sequoia SR5
vs
$231/mo
Avg. Large SUV
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
3.5 out of 5 stars3.5/5Above Average
#7 out of 16 among Fullsize SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$605/yr
vs. $614/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV
for Average Fullsize SUV
Frequency
1.46x/yr
vs. 1.59x/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV
for Average Fullsize SUV
Severity
15.5%
vs. 16.7%
for Average Fullsize SUV
for Average Fullsize SUV
powered by RepairPal
Toyota Sequoia Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Best SUV I've ever owned
5 out of 5 starsSteve Cuff, 09/18/2010
2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum FFV 4dr SUV 4WD (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
I had the same 2008 SUV and this one is even better. The electronics are more user friendly. Drove Yukon XLs before this and other SUVs towing a travel trailer. This does that job better than them all and I've towed trailers for 40 years. Mileage towing 7,500 # trailer about 9 mpg and combined Hwy & City w/o trailer is about 16 MPG, not bad considering the size, weight and … capabilities of the Sequoia. Comfort and handling close to my Lexus LS 460. This is a great vehicle I highly recommend. You won't be disappointed.
275,000 miles and runs like new
5 out of 5 starsmichael schrag, 02/11/2019
2011 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4dr SUV 4WD (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
i have 2 previous toyota's with over 350k miles with zero problems. my current sequoia has 275,000 miles and runs like new. comfortable, quiet and dependable.
Great SUV!!
5 out of 5 starslayne4, 07/05/2012
2011 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4dr SUV (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
Owned 2 Suburbans before this, won't buy anything else now. We weren't 4 blocks away from the dealership on the test drive and my wife said "this is what i want to drive". Much better vehicle to drive than a Suburban, rides better, quieter, handles better and the turning radius is 10x better than even a Tahoe. We pull a 5,000 lb boat with it and it doesn't even break a sweat. The engine … and brakes are unbelievable!
Inside everything is very functional and well thought out. Seating is very flexible, I have to say that the 2nd row has at least 6-8" more knee room than a Suburban. Plus the 2nd row slides forward to allow for more knee room in the 3rd row which is really nice.
Goodbye Suburban
4.88 out of 5 starsFigure8, 01/17/2010
2010 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
Since picking up our new Sequoia last week, we've driven 900 miles and this is my initial reaction. WOW! Traded 08 suburban and no regrets. At 6'1", more comfortable seating, tighter turning radius, smoother trans. and quiet like a Lexus. Sound system w/JBL & NAV is easy with IPOD integration. Passing and maintaining 80 on the HWY is now easy and less stressful than our LTZ Sub. Nimble … in town, second row space and leg room cannot be beat. No more kicking dad's seat from the teenagers.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 Toyota Sequoia, so we've included reviews for other years of the Sequoia since its last redesign.
2012 Sequoia Highlights
SR5
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $40,930 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $228/month |
Seating | 8 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 18.9 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Sequoia include:
- Back-up camera
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover18.5%
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