Named for the largest redwood trees in the world, the 2017 Toyota Sequoia maintains its position as a full-size SUV that’s big on roominess, power, and capability. It’s also huge on Toyota’s trademark quality and value.

The 2017 Sequoia is perfect for customers who want it all: roominess, off-road skillfulness, towing capability, and style. No matter its trim – SR5, Limited, Platinum – or drivetrain configuration – two-wheel or four-wheel drive – it is a rolling habitat of comfort and connectivity.

The Sequoia is, in fact, Toyota’s king of comfort, with plenty of room in all three seating rows. The independent suspension makes for the Sequoia’s smooth ride, and in the rear, plays a large part in allowing for the third row’s roominess, which offers adult-size legroom (35.1 in.). Second-row legroom is not in the least bit cramped at a full-size sedan-like 40.9 inches. Even with its sizeable capaciousness and mass, the Sequoia immediately gives the impression of driving “smaller than it is” thanks to its supple ride and 38.1-ft. turning diameter.

Trio of Trims
The Sequoia SR5 sets the stage as one of the best-equipped vehicles in its class. The long roster of standard amenities includes a tilt/telescoping steering wheel with integrated audio and Bluetooth^® hands-free phone controls; engine immobilizer with alarm; tri-zone automatic climate control with separate rear-seat controls; power tilt/slide moonroof; towing package; 8-way power driver’s seat; fog lamps; roof rack; running boards, and more.

The Sequoia Limited adds functionality and convenience with front and rear sonar parking assist; a power rear liftgate with sliding window; power folding and reclining 60/40 split third-row seat and 20-inch alloy wheels. Limited also ups comfort by way of a 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat; 4-way power front passenger seat; heated front leather-trimmed seats; second- and third-row retractable sunshades and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

Topping the range is the Sequoia Platinum grade that incorporates the luxuriousness of a 12-way adjustable power driver’s seat; rear load-leveling air suspension; power seat memory package and second-row heated seats. Additional technology on this top-line model includes Dynamic Laser Cruise Control and a Blue-Ray rear seat entertainment (RSE) system with a 9-inch LCD screen, separate rear seat audio system and dual wireless headphones. (The RSE is available for the Limited grade as an option.)

i-FORCE Power Plant
Power remains a Sequoia strength thanks to its dual-overhead cam 5.7-liter i-FORCE V8 making 381 horsepower (available at at 5,600 rpm) and 401 lb.-ft. of torque (available at 3,600 rpm). Dual independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and an Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS) ensure ample torque can be accessible across the engine’s entire speed range. This powerhouse requires only regular-grade gasoline, and is teamed to a six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

Customers who tow often will enjoy the V8’s ability to produce 90 percent of its 360 lb.-ft. of peak torque at a low 2,200 rpm. This sort of low-end grunt makes pulling trailers no-sweat work for the Sequoia. Compliant with the SAE J2807 towing standard, the Sequoia can tow up to 7,400 lbs., depending on model grade and equipment. Those who tow will also appreciate the Sequoia’s standard towing hitch that’s integrated into the frame as a single unit.

Drivers can select the transmission’s Tow/Haul mode, which modifies shift points for optimal towing performance. Standard Trailer Sway Control uses the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) to help counteract handling forces that can lead to trailer sway.

A standard rear view camera helps when parking or positioning a trailer. The 3.3-inch display is built into the standard electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror, which also integrates a compass and map lamp. The camera display uses the larger navigation screen on vehicles so-equipped.

Built to Give…and Take It, Too
The Sequoia’s sturdy chassis provides a stable, comfortable foundation for towing, off-pavement driving, and everyday commuting. Four-wheel independent suspension provides outstanding bump absorption on-road and excellent wheel articulation off-road.

The Sequoia Platinum grade steps into luxury territory with its load-leveling rear air suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension. The latter is an electronic damper control system that offers driver-selectable settings for Comfort, Normal, and Sport. The rear air spring suspension helps maintain appropriate ride height and chassis attitude when carrying heavy loads or towing.

The available Multi-Mode 4WD system is one of the most versatile in any large SUV today. The system uses a lockable TORSEN^® limited-slip center differential to apportion torque to the front and rear wheels, and a two-speed transfer case provides a low range for handling steep off-road inclines. Low range is accessible on the move via a rotary knob, while the center differential locks at the push of a button.

Formidable power requires impressive braking capability, so reigning in the Sequoia’s momentum are 13.9-inch ventilated front disc brakes and 13.6-inch ventilated rear disc brakes — all of which utilize four opposed pistons. The Sequoia SR5 comes equipped with 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/65 R18 tires; Limited and Platinum grades have 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/55 R20 tires. The Platinum’s wheels feature a distinctive diamond-cut finish.

The Four-Wheel Family Room
The Sequoia is a quiet, comfortable space for the family to spend time on the road. Its body contours reduce wind drag for an impressive 0.36 coefficient of drag (Cd), which is comparable to some smaller vehicles. The overall design and exterior features have been shaped to minimize wind noise, which helps keep the cabin serene.

Side-view mirrors on the Limited grade are power-retractable and auto-dimming and have built-in turn-signal lamps. The Platinum grade’s mirrors up the ante with puddle lamps, position memory and reverse-linked tilt functions. In sloppy weather, standard headlight washers help keep the lights shining brightly.

Wide-opening rear doors ease passenger ingress/egress and child seat installation.  When folding the second- and third-row seats flat, the Sequoia can swallow up to 120.1 cubic feet of whatever needs transport – even objects up to 11-feet long. Extra-large cup/bottle holders outnumber passengers two to one, and the Platinum grade adds two more for good measure.

With a 40/20/40 split, the second-row bench-type seat allows a variety of combinations, augmented by a seat-slide adjustment range of 5.9 inches. The middle row folds flat and there’s a one-touch easy-slide feature to make it easy for passengers to enter the third row. Luxurious second-row captain seats are available for a seven-seat cabin.

The third-row seat, which is fully hospitable for adults, is split 60/40 and can recline. The third row also easily folds flat, a task made even more convenient by the available power tilting and folding feature. The rear liftgate features power sliding glass that can open separately, and the huge cargo area is equipped with handy hooks for grocery bags.

In Tune and Connected with Entune™
The SR5 grade’s standard 8-speaker Entune Audio Plus with Connected Navigation system (Scout^® GPS Link) uses the customer’s smartphone to provide navigation functionality through the head unit. The system combines a high resolution 6.1-inch touch-screen display, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, SiriusXM All Access Satellite Radio (includes a three-month trial subscription), auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod^® connectivity, hands-free phone capability, and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless. The subscription-free Entune App Suite expands music choices with Internet radio, including iHeartRadio^® and Pandora.

The Limited grade’s Entune Premium Audio system includes MP3/WMA playback capability and 14 speakers (including subwoofer). In the Platinum grade, Entune Premium JBL Audio with Navigation and App Suite provides the ultimate level of information and music. The system features a voice-activated touch-screen, integrated backup camera display, SiriusXM All Access Satellite Radio (includes three-month trial subscription), along with all features of the Limited grade’s system. The premium multimedia units offer fast functionality thanks to their dual core processors; iPhone users can charge their phone using the USB port while using the Entune App Suite at the same time.

Toyota Safety
The 2017 Sequoia is equipped with Toyota’s STAR Safety System™, which includes: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRAC), and Smart Stop Technology (SST) brake override. On 4WD models, TRAC is replaced by A-TRAC (Active-Traction Control). All models have a direct tire pressure monitoring system.

The Sequoia is equipped with a dual stage advanced front air bag system, seat-mounted side airbags for the driver and front passenger, roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all three seating rows, plus driver and front passenger knee airbags.

Limited Warranty
Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. Toyota dealers have complete details on the limited warranty. The Sequoia also comes standard with Toyota Care, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.