2023 Toyota Sequoia First Look: Mean, Green Giant
Sequoia trees are thought to be the oldest living things on Earth, so it's appropriate that Toyota's full-size SUV is named for them: The soon-to-be-outgoing Sequoia dates from 2008, and over the three thousand years—okay, 13—it's been on sale, we've watched it slip from first to last in comparison to its competitors. Finally, it looks like a new Sequoia sapling is born: Toyota has revealed the 2023 Sequoia, with a few surprises that make it feel like an SUV for the ages.
If you think the current Sequoia is a bit too plain—and certainly if you think it's too old—the new one should address your concerns. Up front, the new Sequoia shares its curves and creases with the all-new 2022 Tundra pickup truck. Out back, they've been re-interpreted a bit, with a fenderline crease that starts just ahead of the rear door handles and continues straight back to the taillights. It's less doughy and anonymous than the old model, more aggressive—traits backed up by what's under the hood.
So, What's Under the Hood?
For those keeping score in the Toyotaverse, the new Sequoia one-ups the (also Land Cruiser-based) Lexus LX600 in the power department. While both large SUVs share a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6, the Sequoia's is hybridized, assisted by an electric motor. With 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, it thus bests the Lexus by 28 hp and 104 lb-ft. The hybridized six is an era away from the old Sequoia's 5.7-liter V-8, which made a paltry—by comparison—381 hp and 401 lb-ft. While we have yet to see official efficiency numbers, we can't imagine the Sequoia's hybrid powertrain won't improve on the LX's 19-mpg fuel economy; it's guaranteed to be better than the old Sequoia's mid-teens mpg.
And doesn't that meaty hybrid sound like it has boat-towing power? Oh, you betcha. Toyota says the new Sequoia will tow up to 9,000 lbs, a 22% improvement over the outgoing Sequoia despite giving up two cylinders to its V-8. A Tow Tech Package, which (among other things) steers the trailer in reverse, helps alleviate some causes of towing apprehension.
Don't Say Land Cruiser...
Speaking of the Land Cruiser—which we swear we were just a minute ago—we found a possible explanation to the demise of Toyota's former flagship SUV (other than its relative lack of sales): The Sequoia will be available in a new range-topping Capstone trim, as recently announced for the Tundra pickup, pushing it into the old Land Cruiser's price turf. With 22-inch chrome wheels, two-tone black-and-white semi-aniline leather, and open-pore walnut wood distinguish this model from lesser Sequoias, which include Platinum, Limited and SR5 models.
Another quick aside: The Sequoia shares its basic bones with the new Tundra, of course, but also with the newest Land Cruiser sold globally. While it is not a replacement for the iconic Land Cruiser 4x4, which is renowned for its off-road prowess, it is at least related to that SUV.
To help fill in the void left in its lineup by the Land Cruiser and to build on the previous-generation Sequoia's off-road offerings, Toyota will once again offer a TRD Pro model, which includes Fox internal bypass shocks, a forward skid plate, multi-terrain drive modes, and Toyota's Crawl Control mode, which maintains a slow, steady speed uphill or down. You'll find plenty of TRD badging inside and out, and this version is only available with four-wheel drive.
If the TRD Pro is too, uh, pro for you, SR5 and Limited 4x4 models can be had with a lighter-duty TRD Off-Road package with a locking rear differential, specially-tuned springs and Bilstein shocks, unique 18-inch wheels, as well as the terrain modes and Crawl Control from the TRD Pro package. SR5 models are also offered with an on-road-tuned TRD Sport package with 20-inch wheels, TRD-tuned springs and shocks, and aluminum pedals. Two-wheel drive is standard and part-time four-wheel drive is optional on all on SR5, Limited, Platinum, and—surprisingly—Capstone trim levels. The Sequoia once again utilizes a fully independent suspension, though since 2008 more competitors have added this feature in place of a more traditional (and pickup-truck-like) live rear axle, including the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon.
Safely In Modern Territory
As with other Toyota models, a full safety and driver-aid package is standard, including collision detection with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and correction, automatic high beams, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assistance with automatic braking.
Inside, the Sequoia is just as new and fresh-appearing. Also, like before, the dashboard and steering wheel are essentially carryover from the Tundra pickup. There is an available large (14-inch!) central touchscreen, chunky air vents, and an available digital gauge cluster. What's important here is that nothing looks like it was designed in 2007—a key step forward.
Toyota will build the Sequoia at the same San Antonio, Texas, plant that assembles the Tundra. We'll have pricing and fuel economy data as we get closer to launch, which will come when the weather gets warm; Sequoias are scheduled to arrive at Toyota dealerships this summer. We're looking forward to seeing how this modernized old tree branches into the full-size SUV space, which is now chock full of relatively new contenders, including the recently redesigned Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Nissan Armada, and all-new Jeep Wagoneer.
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It's almost Mecum Auctions time again! The bidding takes place March 16 to 19 in Glendale, Arizona, and live gavel-to-gavel coverage is available through our online subscription service, MotorTrend+ (sign up for a free trial today!), or on your television via the MotorTrend channel.There's something about the southwest when it comes to trucks. Pickups are plentiful there, and based on the wide variety of rigs that are up for grabs at the Arizona auction, we're very optimistic about the collection that awaits Senior Content Producer KJ Jones at the Mecum Auctions event in Houston, Texas, April 1 and 2, as well.For the first time ever, KJ will be on the floor at a big-time auto auction, and hopes are high that this upcoming Glendale sale will be a great precursor to what could be the most truck-heavy event on Mecum's tour.We've already noted two cool trucks being auctioned in Arizona: a 2020 Jeep Gladiator that was displayed at the SEMA Show in 2019, and a customized 1963 Chevy Greenbrier Sports Wagon that garnered great response.This teaser highlights a rare, dual-rear-wheel Chevy Suburban. The sample seen here is a 1986 model that wasn't produced by the factory (none of these rare unicorns were), but to many truck fans is a rig that Chevrolet brass should have authorized and offered for interested buyers. Can you imagine driving something like this today, with a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel engine under the hood instead of a basic big-block Chevy V-8?Related: The General Motors Duramax Diesel Engine Through HistoryLike the previous Mecum-Glendale rigs we featured, this 'burban has no reserve attached to its sale, which should make it interesting to watch.1986 Chevy Suburban Silverado DuallyFirst, this 1986 Chevy Suburban is not an actual 1-ton dually. It's a 3/4-ton rig that's been upfitted with a dual-rear-wheel axle, the appropriate finishing fenders, and so on. And for Chevrolet Suburban know-it-alls, yes, it's a Silverado in frame only; Suburbans and pickups share the same chassis, but the truckwagon has never formally had Silverado in its name.Big-Block Chevy PowerA 7.4-liter (454ci) big-block Chevrolet engine sits beneath the dually Suburban's hood. The limited information we have doesn't reference any modifications, but even the stock powerplant has plenty of oats.Low MilesIn 2022, 42,000 miles is the mark of a creampuff, especially for a rig that's closing in on 40 years old.Nothing's PerfectWe're guessing this image was included in the photo set for "full-disclosure" purposes—the 1986 Chevy Suburban dually is super clean, but it's not 100 percent flawless, as evidenced by the crack that runs down the dash cover.Rear ViewRoadkill host David Freiburger has a soft spot in his heart for 'burbans with rear "Barn" doors that open wide and promote easier loading and unloading of items in the cargo area. We also like the look of the big, wide "hips" on a Suburban, with four tires tucked beneath them.Dually SuburbanThis 1986 Chevy Suburban isn't the "best" truck among all the custom rigs being auctioned, but to us it's very cool. You just don't see dually (what is a dually, anyway?) Suburbans anywhere, so its rarity makes it worthy of receiving our spotlight for Mecum Auctions' Glendale, Arizona, event.2022 Mecum Auction ScheduleHere are the remaining 2022 Mecum Auction events that can be viewed on the MotorTrend+ streaming service (sign up for a free trial today!) and on MotorTrend TV.March 17-19: Glendale, ArizonaApril 1-2: Houston, TexasMay 18-21: Indianapolis, IndianaJune 10-11: Tulsa, OklahomaJuly 28-30: Harrisburg, PennsylvaniaAugust 19-20: Monterey, CaliforniaSeptember 8-10: Dallas, TexasOctober 14-15: Chicago, IllinoisNovember 11-12: Las Vegas, Nevada
At last year's virtual CES, Cadillac introduced a number of virtual concept cars under its Halo Concept Portfolio series. This year CES is happening in real life (well, mostly), and Caddy has a real-life concept car to show called Inner Space. Forget about steering yokes that fold away: The Inner Space is a completely autonomous luxury car for two, more of a suite-on-wheels than a traditional vehicle.Inside the smooth, sleek shape—one we'd like to call an Eldorado of the future, if the rear half of the car didn't remind us so much of Chevrolet's 1990 CERV III concept—is what looks like a luxury cabin for two. Doors and the roof open to reveal a single bench seat that splits and separates for easy ingress, then comes together for…. Well that's the question. For what?Not for a drive, certainly; there are no driver input controls, and atop a piece which we might have once called a dashboard, the Inner Space has a giant wrap-around screen that, so far as we can tell, all but blocks the view out of the massive windshield. (That seems strange given that the top of the cabin is nearly encased in glass.) Instead of pedals, the concept has pillows—and blankets and a set of slippers all arranged neatly on a tray that slides out from under the screen. Hey, baby, it's a long, boring drive to Phoenix and we've got nothing better to do... GM touts the Inner Space's entertainment system, which includes Augmented Reality displays—we're assuming that means you get to see where you're going on the big screen, presumably with some degree of interactivity—and a "Wellness Recovery" theme. Cadillac says the car uses an AI-driven interface that uses biometric input. Perhaps that means it knows when to cut the outside view, dim the lights, bring up the fireplace screensaver and put Barry White on the stereo.Not much is said about the mechanical features of the Inner Space except that the battery modules are spread about the car and not just concentrated in the floor, which opens up more inner space. The tires, specially designed by Goodyear, are designed to provide a quieter ride and are made with renewable materials such as soybean oil and silica from rice husks rather than petroleum.As car fans, we probably should object to a car that completely removes the driver from driving, but we can appreciate having a rolling two-seat cocoon for those long, featureless, fatiguing drives. We won't insult your intelligence by talking about a production version, but we do expect many of the car's features to make it to reality; the augmented reality technology seems particularly engaging. That and the pillows and the blanket. After all, it's a long drive home from Las Vegas.
Aircraft fabricator Hawley Bowlus completed construction of the first Bowlus travel trailer in 1934 for the purpose of transporting flight crews to isolated takeoff locations. It's touted as the first aluminum riveted travel trailer in the world, even pre-dating Wally Byam's Airstream. Now the trailer is back with a tasteful modern update.Bowlus reports that "over half of the original Bowlus' built in the 1930s are still around today, often held in private collections." The lightweight 1,100-pound Bowlus was revolutionary for its time, attracting celebrity and media attention. In 2011, a 1935 Bowlus Road Chief sold at an auction in Scottsdale for $187,000. Fast-forward 90 years, and the Bowlus brand continues.The company currently sells three models: Terra Firma, Endless Highways Performance Edition, and Endless Highways Edition. They start—repeat, start—at $265,000, $240,000, and $215,000, respectively. Let's just say, if you're strapped for cash—or anything short of ridiculously, lavishly, richly well-off with a suitcase full of bands—the bespoke Bowlus may not be for you. But we can still dream, right?The trailers have avoided a fundamental technological overhaul for decades, but Bowlus has announced a few interior, exterior, and technology updates for its 2022-model-year luxury travel trailers. The kitchen has been redesigned with soft-close drawers, an improved air conditioning system, a "60-Second Hitch" towing connection assistance system, an integrated Bluetooth Smart Brake, and updated 13-diode LED taillights to clean up the look.In all of our travels around the United States, we've encountered a smorgasbord of travel trailers, massive toy haulers, million-dollar RVs, high-end off-grid teardrop trailers, and overland camper vans at campgrounds, on the road, and off-grid. But we've never, ever encountered a Bowlus. But when we do someday come upon one, at least now we know how to differentiate a 2022 model. Now that's a morsel of knowledge that'll surely impress new campfire friends.
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