Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro: The Ultimate Off-Road Luxury SUV

The Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro, priced at a whopping $80,000, is a beastly SUV that promises to conquer any terrain with its off-road capabilities. This vehicle is designed for those who want to go everywhere and look damn good doing it. Now, you might think that a city-dwelling, adventure-challenged individual like me wouldn't be the target market for this truck. But guess what? Toyota wants people like me, clueless and gear-laden, to buy this monster. And I must admit, I'm tempted.

First things first, the Sequoia TRD Pro is big. I mean, really big. It's been completely redesigned for its third generation, and it's larger than ever before. The TRD Pro variant comes with all the rugged looks of a regular Sequoia but with some added TRD Pro stylings that I find quite appealing. From the wider stance to the Fox shocks, hood vents (even if they're fake), and the TRD skid plate, this SUV means business. The TRD Pro also boasts a Heritage Grill, a light bar, cool Amber marker lights, and 18-inch matte black BBS forged aluminum wheels with Falcon Wild Peak tires. It's an Instagrammable vehicle right off the lot.

Now, let's talk about the interior. There's been some criticism about the cheapness of the previous Sequoia's interior, but I beg to differ. This new interior is absolutely wild. Everything is massive, from the vents that could potentially sever a finger to the knob that could double as a steering wheel. The infotainment package is top-notch, with a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless CarPlay, and JBL premium audio. Trust me, you'll need that audio system to drown out the road and wind noise from those chunky tires and the wind sail of a roof rack. Oh, and let's not forget the digital rearview mirror, a necessity in a vehicle of this size.

When it comes to performance, the Sequoia TRD Pro doesn't disappoint. It's powered by the rather aggressively named I-Force Max system, which combines a twin-turbocharged V6 engine with a hybrid electric motor. This setup delivers a combined output of 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. It's a parallel hybrid system that provides instant boosts of power when needed, and it sounds surprisingly close to a V8. Toyota has managed to make cauliflower taste like mashed potatoes, and I applaud them for it. The TRD Pro variant also comes with a suite of off-road features, including 360 cameras, an electronically locking rear differential, crawl control, downhill assist, and terrain select. It's essentially idiot-proof.

In terms of safety, the Sequoia TRD Pro is equipped with Toyota's safety sense 2.5, which includes collision warning, lane tracing and departure alert, auto high beams, road sign assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the fuel economy of this hybrid vehicle is disappointing, with EPA ratings of 22 mpg for two-wheel drive models and just 20 mpg for four-wheel drive models. The battery pack for the hybrid system is located beneath the third row and trunk, which means the third-row seats don't fold flat, making it impossible to sleep in the back. It's a design flaw that sacrifices practicality for the sake of a pointless hybrid system.

All in all, the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro offers the best of both worlds. It has the rugged looks and off-road capabilities of a truck, combined with the refinement and sensibility of a modern-day SUV. Sure, it's expensive and not the most fuel-efficient option out there, but it's a conversation piece. Owning this vehicle is a statement, a declaration that you have a truck that can go anywhere and do anything, even if you never actually put it to the test. It's massive, heavy, and ridiculously expensive, but I can't help but love it. Well done, Toyota.

Watch First Test: 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO | MotorTrend on Youtube

Viewer Reactions for First Test: 2023 Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO | MotorTrend

Positive feedback on the review format
Question about who the car is for
Appreciation for the flip-up rear window
Disapproval of the high price
Criticism of Toyota's decision to replace V8 engines with hybrid and batteries
Comment on the inability to sleep in the back of the vehicle
Disappointment with the missed mark on the back window
Concern about the affordability of the vehicle for working-class individuals
Complaint about the obnoxiousness of the video
Criticism of the hosts' behavior and comment on the lack of male representation at Motor Trend