TOYOTASequoia 2017 - 2022

　　Toyota introduced the second generation of the Sequoia in 2007 at the Los Angeles Auto Show, but after ten years on the market, the car finally got a proper refresh.

　　During the world’s financial crisis of 2008-2010, the Japanese automaker limited its spending to secure its economic future. After that, it started to improve its vehicles’ lineup, and the Sequoia was not among the first to get updated since it was pretty new as a model. Still, after almost a decade, in February 2017, the largest Toyota SUV finally got a well-deserved refresh, which was more than just a new bumper and a new stereo inside. Furthermore, the Sequoia received essential off-road underpinnings that allowed the three-row vehicle to take families to the top of a mountain and back safely.

　　While the car’s exterior sizes remained the same, there were significant changes in the Sequoia’s look. At the front, the new LED headlights also incorporated the daytime running lights, creating a sharper look for the aged vehicle. Furthermore, Toyota added LED fog lamps in the bumper. Another noticeable difference was the grille’s design, which sported a chromed surrounding and different horizontal slats than on the previous model. Last but not least, the air intake housed in the bumper made room for the radar needed for Toyota’s latest safety systems that came with the 2018 Sequoia.

　　From its profile, the automaker didn’t make significant improvements to the vehicle, apart from versions fitted with the newly introduced TRD Sport grade. That allowed customers to travel on rough roads and perform some off-road tricks thanks to the increased ground clearance and beefier tires. That version came with a black grille, 20” alloy wheels, and black finish badges.

　　Customers could feel some of the most significant upgrades inside the vehicle, where Toyota installed a standard 6.1” touchscreen for the Entune infotainment unit and an eight-speaker sound system. The driver fronted a new instrument cluster featuring the Optitron gauges and a 4.2” TFT multi-information display between the speedometer and tachometer. Like its predecessors, the 2018 Sequoia was available with room for up to eight people on three rows of seats and a massive cargo area. The automaker drastically improved the vehicle’s safety with the addition of the TSS-P (Toyota Safety Sense P) system, which integrated the pre-collision, automatic braking, lane-changing, and sway warning systems; on top of that, the full-size SUV came with adaptive cruise control.

　　Under the hood, Toyota installed a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine that sent its power to the rear or in all corners via a six-speed automatic transmission. A transfer case with low-range gear was offered for 4WD versions. Despite being a massive vehicle, the adaptive variable suspension with electronic damper control kept the car well planted to the road. In addition, the rear air suspension kept the SUV leveled while towing or carrying heavy loads.

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