2022 Toyota Sequoia Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia towers over many other vehicles on the roads today. Its big in just about every way, and it has a strong engine giving it the power it needs to conquer challenges. It comes as no surprise that this SUV has a lot of room in its cabin. It can fit up to eight people, and everyone gets to ride in comfort and style.

What's New for 2022?

There has been one minor change made to the appearance of the Sequoia. Instead of Blizzard Pearl and Super White, it now comes in Wind Chill Pearl.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2022 Toyota Sequoia – The Pros

1. Powered by a Large Engine

Under the hood of the Toyota Sequoia, there's a 5.7-liter V8 engine. This rivals what many trucks have, and it definitely gives the Sequoia a lot of capability. The engine can make 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission that comes with sequential shift mode.

2. Ready to Haul Cargo

When fully equipped, this SUV has a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds. This is an impressive number that showcases how much work the Sequoia is capable of handling. Engage the Tow/Haul mode when a trailer is hooked up in order to maximize performance in this situation. Trailer sway control is a standard safety component that people will appreciate when equipment is trailing behind them.

3. So Much Passenger Space

As mentioned, up to eight people can fit in this vehicle. The first row has 42.5 inches of leg room, and the second row has 40.9 inches of leg room. Even the back row is a comfortable place to be, even for adults. It has 35.3 inches of leg room so that taller passengers won't feel too cramped back there.

Some trims have eight seats, while others have seven. The reason for this is that the Sequoia can either have a bench seat or a pair of captain's chairs. Captain's chairs give the cabin a more executive feel and make it easier to get in and out of the back row. That extra space in the middle row behind the chairs can also be used to give third-row passengers some extra room for their legs.

4. Perfect for Cargo

When all the seats have been folded down, total cargo volume is 120.1 cubic feet. This is more than what so many SUVs can provide, so it's certainly going to be something that works in the Sequoia's favor. Eve when all the rear seats are in place, there's 18.9 cubic feet of cargo space in the back. This is still more room than one would find in a typical trunk of a sedan. The third row can be folded down when not needed, and this would give the SUV 66.6 cubic feet of cargo volume.

5. Won't Back Down From a Challenge

Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Toyota Sequoia. Many high-performance vehicles have this type of drivetrain. If anyone wishes to have more traction, a four-wheel-drive system is available. It's a multi-mode 4WD system that can be engaged with the turn of a dial. It comes with a Torsen limited-slip center differential that has a locking feature. Snowy, muddy, or rocky conditions can be handled with ease.

6. TRD Pro Offers Excitement

The TRD Pro trim has special exterior accents and unique features that make it appeal to adventure-minded drivers. Up front, its grille looks bold with a TOYOTA badge. It gets to have Rigid Industries LED fog lights that fit perfectly inside the front bumper. The skid plate proudly showcases the TRD logo, and that logo is also embroidered on the front headrests. The seats are trimmed in a black leather that has red contrast stitching.

In terms of mechanics, the TRD Pro is outfitted with some special equipment. It has FOX shocks that have extra travel and are ready to deal with rough terrain. The black 18-inch wheels are wrapped in all-terrain rubber for extra durability.

7. Keeps People Safe

Toyota has given the Toyota Sequoia a full set of driver-assist technologies. It has pre-collision warning and braking so that frontal collisions can hopefully be avoided. It has dynamic radar cruise control, allowing it adjust its speed to maintain safe distancing with other vehicles, and it also has lane departure alert, automatic high beams, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring. All of these systems provide drivers with an extra pair of eyes that are always watching out for problems. When it comes to safety on the roads, it's important to stay aware of everything going on.

8. Many Trims to Choose From

The company makes six trims of the Sequoia so that customers have a range of options. The SR5 starts off the lineup, and it has the technology that many people are looking for. The TRD Sport is next, and it's enhanced with sport-tuned suspension and 20-inch black wheels. The Limited is the level at which leather seats and navigation become standard. Things are a bit nicer in the Nightshade Special Edition and Platinum trims, and the TRD Pro tops things off with advanced mechanical components and a well-equipped cabin.

9. High-End Amenities

In one of these SUVS, there is so much to appreciate. Every Sequoia has a three-zone automatic climate system to keep everyone comfortable. In addition, all of the trims have power-adjustable front seats, reclining third-row seats, leather steering wheels, and smart key systems.

Leather or perforated leather upholstery can be found on the higher trims. Front seats can be heated and ventilated, and second-row seats can be heated, too. On the Platinum, the steering wheel is trimmed in leather and has bird's-eye maple-style accents, and those same accents are on the shift knob and door panels. This premium model treats drivers to power thigh and lumbar support as well.

10. Equipped With Modern Technology

This SUV can come with a seven-inch or an eight-inch touchscreen. The smaller touchscreen comes with many features, including voice recognition, Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. Passengers can stay informed while they're traveling, and they can find entertaining things to listen to. Higher trims have the larger touchscreens and can have navigation, premium sound systems with amplifiers and subwoofers, and dynamic voice recognition. Also available is a rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-ray player.

Given how much everyone uses their smartphones, it's nice that Toyota has opened up the opportunity to connect a smart device with the Sequoia. First of all, the vehicle can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot through which up to five devices can connect to the internet. Service Connect is a program that lets users check fuel levels, mileage, and service history, and they can receive alerts through this program when it's time to get an oil change or go in for a tune-up. Then, there's Remote Connect. Remote Connect lets people use their smart devices to lock or unlock their doors, start or stop their engines, pinpoint their vehicle's locations, and more.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2022 Toyota Sequoia – The Cons

1. Cost Is an Issue

With its starting price of over $50,000, the Toyota Sequoia might not fit within many budgets. Three trims at the high end of the lineup cost more than $60,000, so they will be even more of a stretch for the average buyer. It's true that customers do get a lot for their money with this SUV, but some might not be able to make this model work.

2. Not Efficient at All

This vehicle is the exact opposite of what some buyers are looking for in terms of efficiency. While the industry seems to be moving in the direction of hybrids and electric vehicles, the Sequoia is staying firmly in place with its large, gas-powered engine. It only gets 13 miles per gallon in the city and 17 miles per gallon on the highway. It's just about as inefficient as an SUV can be.

3. Bumpy Ride

Some trims have advanced suspension, but many just have a regular system. This means that they might not offer the smoothest of rides. Passengers in the back will definitely feel the ups and downs of the roads.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

There are quite a few SUVs competing for attention. However, not all of them are as large as the Sequoia is. The options narrow considerably when only three-row SUVs are taken into account. Below is a quick comparison between the Sequoia and some other SUVs that are in the same size category.

2022 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 GMC Yukon

The Yukon is a little more expensive than the Sequoia is. While it is available with a high-powered engine, its standard engine doesn't come with the same amount of horsepower as the Sequoia's engine can generate.

2022 Toyota Sequoia vs 2022 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota actually makes a few three-row SUVs, and one of them is the 4Runner. It's athletic and spacious, but it's not as large as the Sequoia is. Therefore, it doesn't have the same amount of cargo capacity as its big brother has, and it can't give its third-row passengers as much leg room either. Further, the Sequoia has the more powerful engine with a greater towing capacity, and its cabin is equipped with more high-end amenities.

Conclusion

If anyone is looking for a large SUV that's packed with features, the Toyota Sequoia would be something to consider. It is on the expensive side, but Toyota gives it enough features to make it worth it. Plus, it has plenty of strength working in its favor.