Anthony on Autos: 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone

by  Anthony Fongaro - photos via Toyota- 05/07/2022

Here is a question that's all right. do people need large SUVs? I have noticed that these large SUVs in the suburbs are a bit unnecessary. At least driving around, they are cumbersome, not as fuel efficient as crossover SUVs, and are almost too big in certain situations. That said, I do understand that people with large families want to have a lot of space, a sense of safety, and the ability to tow! That is where the Toyota Sequoia comes in. This is Toyota's largest SUV, and it has some big shoes to fill. That is because the first-generation Sequoia was around for over 10 years! so can this 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone capture the same magic that the first generation had? Let's take a look!

I can say that the 2023 Toyota Sequoia is a very Butch vehicle. it definitely does not hide just how large it is. At the front, you have a chrome grill with the blue total logo to designate that this is a hybrid. This Sequoia had the optional wind chill Pearl paint along with 22-inch dark Chrome alloy wheels. thankfully, it also came with power running boards. Viewing the Sequoia from the side, the SUV looks like a box. I enjoy that because it bucks the trend of more sleek crossovers. It also hides the seven-seat configuration in the top-of-the-line Capstone. The rear of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone has a set of LED taillights and houses a large Toyota logo.

Step inside, and the changes from the last generation are massive. The white and black interior, along with various trim makes it feel quite plush. Front seats are heated and ventilated. The steering wheel has buttons for the audio and digital display. Capstone models also get a large head-up display. To the right is the 12.3-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I would use those for the navigation since the native system was a little slow. There is a “Hey Toyota” feature, but it has limited functions to the infotainment system. Below that is ‘surprise’ actual buttons for climate control! Thank you, Toyota! I know I say this a lot, but these are…big. Another row of buttons is for various functions such as the hazards and cameras, but they feel cheap. Wireless charging is included but is in an awkward position. 

Being the top-of-the-line model, the Sequoia Capstone has a pair of captain’s chairs instead of a bench row. Similar to the front seats, these middle-row seats are heated and ventilated. To get to the rear row, you fold the middle row up. The rear row is quite cramped, especially for the middle seat. Its seatbelt is housed in the ceiling. When all three rows are up, you’ll see a small trunk. Still, you can get a few gift bags back there. While the trunk is power-operated, you can press a button to open up just the glass. That’s a blast from the past. So is the interior nice? I’d say so! For the first two rows, the seats are comfortable and there’s some good technology. I appreciate that the instrument cluster has two dials for the hybrid battery and turbo psi.

 A Toyota that’s a hybrid? I am so surprised! Ditching the old V8, Toyota gave the Sequoia Capstone a much more powerful and efficient engine found in the Tundra. It’s a 3.4-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6 producing a combined 437 horsepower/321 kW and 583 lb-ft/790 Nm. Utilizing a 10-speed automatic and optional selectable AWD, the Sequoia gets from 0-60 MPH in around 5.5 seconds. The engine has more than enough power, even for weighing 6,000 lbs! There are multiple drive modes and in Sport, the engine roars to life. In normal driving, you can leave the drive mode in the normal setting. Being an off-roader, there are many off-road driving modes that most customers won’t use. It may be a hybrid, but I received 16-17 MPG.

The Sequoia is the SUV version of the Tundra, and it feels like it. The ride crashes around and can be quite harsh. You feel every pothole. Especially with me driving with a knee and half femur replacement, my leg felt some pain. As a high-riding SUV, the handling is quite poor. I’d recommend going into a corner quite slowly. This might be missing the ‘Sport’ in the SUV, but it doesn’t need it. Toyota does include its safety suite with adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and lane keep assist. You also get 360-degree cameras which I found helpful in many situations, such as going through a Starbucks drive-through.

When I was driving through Starbucks, I kept in my mind that this Capstone trim level is $80,000. The Capstone comes with upgraded wheels, specific paint, a luxurious interior, and second-row captains chairs. You’ll also get the head-up display, large infotainment system, large panoramic roof, and ventilated seats. The Capstone also comes with a 14-speaker JBL sound system that has good sound quality. Is this the trim level to go for? I’d stick with the $70,000 Limited since it has a bench seat and seats eight. Otherwise, the Capstone is quite plush.

Should you consider a 2023 Toyota Sequoia? It has steep competition coming from Jeep, Ford, and GM. The Jeep Wagoneer has a better interior and doesn’t feel as truck-like as the Sequoia. Also, 16 MPG from a hybrid? That’s a little low. Still, the Sequoia gets the job done. While I wasn’t able to test its off-road credentials, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s great off-road. This second generation of the Sequoia is a huge step forward compared to the first generation. If it felt less like the Tundra, it would be close to the top of its class.