2020 Toyota Sequoia Review

What is it?

The 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro adds to the brand's roster of trucks and SUV with off-roading in mind. With a variety of off-road goodies and additional standard equipment for the new model year, the Sequoia TRD Pro offers quite an upgrade over previous models.

Hardware upgrades include Fox shocks, TRD-tuned springs, a front skid plate, and a handsome black roof rack. Want more sound? A cat-back exhaust upgrade is available. Pricing starts at $65,425 (destination included).

Why does it matter?

Though this generation of the Sequoia went on sale in 2008, the 2020 version offers significant updates. The addition of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity with a 7-inch touchscreen brings an interior that had long ago grown stale into the modern world. Not to mention, this new TRD Pro looks tough thanks to flashy off-road bits and stylish black exterior cues.

What does it compete with?

There are other three-row SUVs that keep an eye toward off-road capability. Chevrolet offers the Tahoe Z71, and the Kia Telluride feels at home in some dirt scenarios. Closest to the Sequoia TRD Pro is the Ford Expedition FX4. It also has tuned off-road shocks and all-terrain tires for improved performance, plus seven skid plates and a limited-slip rear differential to maintain traction in difficult conditions.

How does it drive?

There's no getting around the fact that the Toyota Sequoia is a big, lumbering body-on-frame SUV. It has more body roll than competitors, and the steering is vague and floaty. Rather than try to fix those issues, though, the new 2020 TRD Pro package makes the most of them.

The star of the 2020 Sequoia TRD Pro is its Fox shock absorbers and new springs. They noticeably improve ride quality and shine in off-road conditions. The Sequoia is not a natural athlete in the dirt — its size and blind spots prohibit drivers from getting too ambitious. But the new suspension bits smooth out ruts and rocks, allowing the SUV to power over steep angles. The 5.7-liter V8 engine offers considerable power, and the six-speed automatic transmission is smooth, though you pay for it in fuel economy (14 mpg for 4WD models).

At an off-road park, the Sequoia conquered deep moguls and drifted through sand with a snarl thanks to the optional TRD cat-back exhaust. But some difficulties remain. The Sequoia's poor breakover angle meant that after a few runs the front skid plate and aluminum running boards each had suffered many scrapes. With giant pillars and no forward camera, outward visibility is a sore spot. The SUV struggled in tight places that the smaller 4Runner TRD Pro handled like a gymnast. It's disappointing that the Sequoia does not receive Crawl Control or Downhill Assist Control like other TRD Pro vehicles. However, a low-range gear and locking center differential are plenty capable of handling the type of adventuring nearly all owners are after.

What's the interior like?

All Sequoia TRD Pro models come with red stitching and leather-trimmed seats that feature a TRD Pro logo on the front headrests. The seats are big, wide and cushy — perfect for long drives — but without much lateral support for keeping you in place around curves or through off-road jostling. The driver's seat is eight-way power-adjustable, and it could stand to gain more versatility. The seating position is high whether you prefer it or not.

For 2020 the Sequoia finally gets compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. There are accessible USB ports for connection and a new 7-inch touchscreen for a vibrant display. Navigation is standard on the TRD Pro, which also gets you the upgraded 15-speaker JBL audio over the standard eight-speaker system. Amazon Alexa is included as well.

How practical is it?

Even among big three-row SUVs, the Sequoia is a behemoth. Space behind the third row is a large 19 cubic feet, but fold down the second and third rows and the number leaps to 120.1 cubic feet. The TRD Pro has a standard roof rack to carry extra gear or keep muddy equipment out of the interior after a few days of use. An integrated hitch gives it the same 7,100-pound maximum towing capacity as all Sequoias, which, though strong, is not tops in the class.

What else should I know?

Toyota also adds its suite of driver assistance aids to all 2020 Sequoias. Called Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), it features automatic braking with pedestrian detection and lane departure alert with sway warning. Key to TSS-P is adaptive cruise control. On the Sequoia, it is easy to activate and set a following distance between it and the vehicle ahead. Unfortunately, it shuts off under 25 mph, so you can't reap the benefits in stop-and-go traffic. It can also be slow to react, so drivers should remain alert and be prepared to hit the brakes themselves.

Edmunds says

The 2020 Sequoia TRD Pro is a capable yet compromised off-road vehicle. While it may not be perfect, it's the only large three-row SUV on the market that can take adventuring to these lengths. Plus, it looks the part. The roof rack, Rigid LED foglights and exclusive 18-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels add both function and an aggressive aesthetic. The model we tested came in Army Green, a new color for all 2020 TRD Pro vehicles. On the Sequoia it is a crowd pleaser, and it looks even better decorated with mud.