A Sequoia is the world's most massive tree---arguably the largest living organism on earth. They can live anywhere between 1,800 and 2,700 years, according to experts.
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia lives up to its name. It is a massive, body-on-frame SUV. At 205 inches long, 80 inches wide and 77 inches high, it is larger than its more luxurious sibling, the Toyota Land Cruiser by ten, two and three inches, respectively. It weighs 5,730 pounds---just an NFL linebacker shy of three tons. And it is exceptionally long-lived, having been with us, in its current generation, with only modest updates to exterior and interior, since the 2008 model year.
Under the hood resides the same 5.7-liter V8 engine that the Sequoia debuted with in the fall of 2007. 381 horsepower. 401 pounds per foot of torque. An EPA fuel economy estimate that will make the Sierra Club break out in hives---13 miles per gallon city, 17 highway.
All Sequoias have four-wheel drive and 9.9 inches of ground clearance. And, for 2020, there is now a Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO, which brings TRD PRO-tuned front and rear FOX shocks with piggyback reservoirs, 18-inch black BBS forged aluminum TRD PRO alloy wheels, RIGID Industries LED fog lights, TRD PRO black leather-trimmed heated front seats and an available TRD black cat-back exhaust (which our tester had, for an additional $1,050).
My wife and I took the 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO to our favorite top-secret campsite in Alpine County, California. I could tell you where it is, but a lesser vehicle simply won't get you there. This is a place where a sure-footed four-by-four with serious ground clearance is your only means of entry---and the Sequoia TRD PRO passed with flying colors.
The base price for the 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO is $64,030. The window sticker is at the end of this review so you can see the full list, but among the standard equipment not mentioned above is the Toyota Safety Sense suite (Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, rear backup camera and trailer sway control), LED headlights, a moonroof and a 14-speaker JBL premium audio system.
Apart from the aforementioned cat-back exhaust, the only extra-cost options on our vehicle were a cargo cover ($245) and carpeted floormats and a doorsill protector ($379). So, with $1,325 delivery processing and handling fee, the as-tested price comes to $67,029.
Yes, there are slicker, more modern big SUVs out there. But the 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD PRO gets the job done and proves that deep roots are an asset.
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