Go Big or Go Home: 2022 Toyota Sequoia Offers Capability, Comfort, and Spaciousness

• December 2, 2021
• Story By
  Mark Masker

Nature didn't skimp on size with the sequoia tree and Toyota didn't either with the full-sized SUV that bears its name. And, Toyota’s Sequoia also has seats, a cup holder, and offers the complete package where the tree simply has majestic beauty. Toyota designed their Sequoia as a blend of sophistication and resourcefulness that makes the SUV capable off-road or on the street. It offers comfort, durability and toughness that’s great for family adventures with room for up to eight.

For 2022, the Sequoia carries on with those attributes and more while offering the new Wind Chill Pearl exterior color to replace both Blizzard Pearl and Super White. The Nightshade Special Edition that joined the Sequoia line for 2021 also returns, along with grade mainstays SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Pro, Limited and Platinum.

With body-on-frame construction, a 381hp 5.7L i-FORCE V8 engine, four-wheel independent suspension and the ability to tow up to 7,400 pounds, Toyota tasked the Sequoia to handle whatever the week and weekend dishes out. All Sequoia models also offer the versatile Multi-Mode 4WD system as an option over standard two-wheel drive.

Room Service, Toyota-Style

Sequoia offers seating for up to eight (seven in TRD Sport, TRD Pro, Platinum and Nightshade Edition). The independent rear suspension plays a large part in allowing for the Sequoia’s third row, which provides adult-size, 35.3-inch legroom. Second-row legroom, at 40.9 inches, is on par with other full-size luxury sedans.

In eight-seat models, the 40:20:40 split second-row bench-type seat allows a variety of configurations, augmented by a seat-slide adjustment range of 5.9 inches. Moreover, the middle row folds flat, and a one-touch easy-slide feature makes it easy for passengers to enter the third row. The seven-seat models use captain seats. Extra-large cup/bottle holders outnumber passengers two to one, and the Platinum grade adds two more for good measure.

The Sequoia’s third-row seat is split 60:40 and can recline. The third row also easily folds flat, a task made more convenient by the available power tilting and folding feature. The rear liftgate also features a power rear window with auto up/down, jam protection, and defogger.

With the middle row seats in use, Sequoia can carry five people while still offering 66.6 cu. ft. of carrying space, enough to haul their camping gear. With both third-row seat backs folded flat, available space increases to 120.1 cu. ft. – enough for an extended stay in the outdoors for two people. The Sequoia can also carry objects up to 11 feet long, provided the maximum weight is not exceeded. The liftgate integrates a separate power window, with auto up/down and jam protection.

Sequoia Nightshade: You Don't Know the Power of the Dark Side

The Sequoia Nightshade Edition gives off a custom vibe with darkened chrome grille and exterior trim.

Available in Midnight Black Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic or Wind Chill Pearl exterior colors, the Nightshade Edition features black mirror caps, door handles and 20-inch black split-spoke alloy wheels complete the exterior makeover. Inside, black leather-trimmed seating surfaces come standard.

Toyota TRD Pro: Off-Road Warrior

Among Toyota’s trucks and SUVs, the TRD Pro badge signifies pinnacle trail capability. Equipped to handle the rough stuff, the Sequoia TRD Pro still retains comfort for daily driving thanks to its internal bypass Fox shocks. This rugged model, available exclusively in the seven-seat configuration, comes standard with Multi-Mode 4WD and proven off-road equipment specially designed and selected by Toyota Racing Development engineers.

Compared to external-bypass shocks used on off-road race vehicles, the Fox internal bypass shocks employed on Sequoia TRD Pro compactly integrate bypass zones inside the shock body, allowing the shock’s fluid to bypass the piston through regulated ports as it moves through its travel. Providing a cushioned ride during typical driving, the Fox shock damping gets progressively firmer through the shock piston’s stroke to resist bottoming over rough trail surfaces.

In addition to TRD Pro-exclusive Lunar Rock, exterior color choices include the Midnight Black Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic and new-for-2022 Wind Chill Pearl. Special TRD styling makes this Sequoia an eye grabber on road or trail. The TRD Pro grille with the “TOYOTA” name in big, bold letters leads the charge, augmented by LED fog lights by Rigid Industries. A TRD front skid plate helps protect the front suspension and oil pan. The 18×8-in. black BBS forged aluminum wheels wear P275/65 R18 tires. Cast-aluminum black running boards and a TRD black roof rack enhance function and style.

The TRD Pro cabin treatment combines ready-to-get-dirty function with luxury, because there’s nothing wrong with a little comfort out on the trail. Black TRD Pro leather-trimmed seats with red contrast stitching and TRD Pro logos stitched into the front headrests are comfortable and durable, while TRD Pro all-weather floor mats add make it easy to clean out what the feet drag in.

For a finishing touch that makes a statement, an available TRD cat-back exhaust system with single black chrome tip and “TRD” debossed logo produces a bolder exhaust note than other Sequoia models. Meanwhile, a frequency-tuned sound-cancellation device improves in-cabin sound quality.

Strength Training

The Sequoia’s body-on-frame construction provides a stable, high-strength foundation that can shrug off everyday bumps and ruts as well as traversing off-pavement terrain. Four-wheel independent suspension yields outstanding bump absorption on-road and excellent wheel articulation off-road. Sequoia’s 13.9-inch ventilated front disc brakes use four-piston brake calipers, while 13.6-inch ventilated disc brakes are used in the rear.

The Sequoia Platinum grade drives into luxury territory with load-leveling rear air suspension that helps maintain appropriate ride height and chassis attitude when carrying heavy loads or towing. In addition, Platinum adds Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), an electronic damper control system that offers driver-selectable settings for Comfort, Normal and Sport.

The Sequoia SR5 rolls on 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/65 R18 tires; TRD Sport, Limited and Platinum grades have 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/55 R20 tires. The Platinum grade features 20-in. machine finish split-spoke with silver accent alloy wheels.

Sound Off

The Sequoia’s design and exterior features have been shaped to minimize wind noise, which helps make the cabin an ideal listening room for the extensive multimedia capabilities. All Sequoia multimedia systems for 2022 feature a 7-in. touchscreen display and smartphone compatibility for maximum versatility.

The standard 8-speaker Audio Plus system for Sequoia SR5 and TRD Sport includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility; AM/FM/HD Radio; SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with 3-month Platinum Plan trial; USB media port and two USB charge ports; and advanced voice recognition, plus Bluetooth hands-free phone capability and music streaming.

The Sequoia Limited comes standard with 12-speaker Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation system, which includes Dynamic Navigation, with up to 3-year trial, Dynamic POI Search and Dynamic Voice Recognition. TRD Pro and Platinum grades upgrade to Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation and JBL 14-speaker system, including subwoofer and amplifier.

Safe Room

Sequoia includes Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) standard on every grade. This advanced active safety suite bundles the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Sway Warning, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Automatic High Beams.

All Sequoia grades come standard Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The cabin is a comprehensive safety zone equipped with a dual-stage, advanced front air bag system, seat-mounted side airbags for the driver and front passenger, all-row side curtain airbags for all three seating rows plus driver and front passenger knee airbags.

The 2022 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.

Check Out Our Package

The Sequoia SR5's roster of standard features and amenities include LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights; front and rear sonar parking assist; 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. Optitron gauges add an elegant high-tech luxury touch in every grade.

Sequoia TRD Sport sharpens on-road handling with sport-tuned Bilstein shock absorbers and TRD front and rear anti-sway bars. Exclusive TRD Sport styling includes a chrome grille surround with black insert and mirror caps, 20-inch TRD Sport black sport wheels and Black Satin finish TRD Sport badging. Standard with the seven-passenger, easy-clean fabric seats, TRD Sport can be optioned with seven-passenger black leather-trimmed seats with contrast stitching. A TRD shift knob, floor mats and sill protectors complete the cabin upgrade.

Sequoia Limited adds functionality and convenience with a power rear liftgate, power folding and reclining 60:40 split third-row seat and 20-inch alloy wheels. The Limited also boosts comfort, adding heated front leather-trimmed seats, with a 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat and 6-way power front passenger seat; a leather-trimmed steering wheel; and second- and third-row retractable sunshades. Side-view mirrors on the Limited grade are power-retractable and auto-dimming and have built-in turn-signal lamps.

Topping the range, the Sequoia Platinum coddles occupants in perforated leather seating surfaces in all three rows. Front seats are heated and ventilated, and the driver’s features 10-way power adjustments. The Platinum also adds a power seat memory package, heated second-row seats and a Blu-ray rear seat entertainment system with a 9-inch LCD screen, separate rear seat audio system and dual wireless headphones. (This system is available as an option for the Limited and Nightshade.) On top of the Limited’s exterior mirror features, the Platinum grade’s mirrors add puddle lamps, position memory and reverse-linked tilt functions.

Find out more on the full-size SUV here.