Off-road enthusiasts were shocked several years ago when Toyota announced it would no longer sell the Land Cruiser in America. Although the iconic SUV had grown much larger and luxurious over the years, it was still one of the toughest and most off-road capable vehicles on the planet.
Toyota is reintroducing an all-new smaller Land Cruiser in 2024. But the company also had a trick up its sleeve — the full-size, three-row Sequoia SUV was completely redesigned for 2023 and offered with a 4WD TRD Pro package that easily filled in for the outgoing Land Cruiser. Like the previous model, it is based on the full-size Toyota Tundra pickup, meaning that even the base SR5 version is rugged.
But in fact, all versions of the new Sequoia offer a significant advantage over both the previous models and the outgoing Land Cruiser. The standard engine is now a state-of-the-art I-Force Max V6 Hybrid that produces more power and gets better mileage than the former 5.7-liter V8 shared by the earlier vehicles. It is even standard on the lower trim levels of the Sequoia.
The redesigned Sequoia also serves as the platform for the new Lexus GX 550 , the flagship of Toyota's luxury division.
TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, the in-house customizers that also contribute to TRD versions of the full-size Tundra pickup, the midsize Tacoma pickup, and the midsize V6-powered Camry sedan, which will be dropped in favor of hybrid-only engines next year.
I first drove the redesigned Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro in late April 2023 at last year’s annual Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year competition organized by the Northwest Automotive Press Association, otherwise known as Mudfest. I had tested a luxury-oriented, top-of-the-line Capstone version a few months earlier, so I thought I knew what to expect — a large, traditional body-on-frame SUV with boxy styling, enormous interior room, and a surprisingly comfortable ride.
But I quickly realized the 4WD TRD Pro version is much more serious. The package adds an upgraded suspension with Bilstein shocks, a front skid plate, an electronically controlled locking rear differential, off-road driving modes, a crawl control system, a hill-descent control function, and more. It easily handled even the toughest specially designed off-road test track at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington, while still behaving well on pavement.
And the engine — which produces an awesome 437 horsepower and 583 foot-pounds of torque — was among the most powerful of all vehicles put through their paces over the two-day competition. It combines a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 engine with an electric motor to produce an awesome total 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The power is sent through a smooth shifting 10-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or all four wheels, depending on the choice selected by the driver.
I also tested a 2023 Toyota Tundra 4WD TRD Pro at Mudfest 2023. I found it mostly kept pace with the Ford Raptor, which is marketed as a high-performance version of the popular F-150 pickup.
Despite the additional power, the new engine’s hybrid setup is significantly more fuel efficient than the outgoing V8. Rear-wheel-drive versions are EPA-rated at 21 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Opting for four-wheel drive drops those numbers to 19 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. That’s also better than contemporary V8-powered full-size competitors. And Sequoias can tow up to 9,520 pounds, depending on the configuration.
The 2023 Toyota Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro came in second in the three-row SUV category at Mudfest 2023, trailing only behind the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which impressed the journalists there with its up to 38 miles of all-electric range before switching over to a traditional gas/electric hybrid mode. I was so struck by the Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro that I highlighted it and the Tundra 4WD TRD Pro in a follow up story on honorable mentions.
Now, after a week of daily a 2024 Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro on a daily basis, I am more impressed than ever by its combination of family practicality and off-road capabilities. Although the third row of seats is best reserved for children, there is a lot of legroom in the second row of seats and the upgraded suspension is still very comfortable, even over the poorly maintained roads in my neighborhood. And the engine encourages entertaining bursts of speed — accompanied by a throaty exhaust roar — while also making freeway merging and passing a breeze.
Plus, the black exteriors treatment — including the huge grill, fake hood vents, forged 18-inch wheels with 33-inch tires, and lower body trim — gives the 4WD TRD Pro a “don’t mess with me” look that stands out in suburban parking lots.
The previous Sequoia’s touchscreen setup has also been swapped out for the large 14.0-inch touchscreen. It comes standard on all but the base SR5 and uses Toyota’s latest infotainment software, including smartphone-mirroring and other connectivity options, like a Wi-Fi hotspot and music-streaming options.
Because the Sequoia was completely redesigned last year, changes in the 2024 models are minimal. It starts at $63,125 for the base SR5 model and goes up to $80,960 for the lowest-price 4WD TRD Pro. That’s in line with other full-size SUVs these days.
You don’t have to be an off-road enthusiast to appreciate the recently redesigned full-size 2024 Toyota Sequoia SUV. But if you are, the 4WD TRD Pro version might surprise you as a legitimate replacement for the discontinued last generation Land Cruiser — especially because of the impressive new engine standard on all trim levels.
A previous review of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia Capstone edition can be found here .
2024 Toyota Sequoia 4WD Hybrid
Base price: $63,125 (base SR5 RWD)
Price as tested: $80,560 (4WD TRD Pro)
Type: Full-size three-row SUV
Engine: I-Force Max twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 hybrid (437 hp, 583 lbs-ft)
Transmission: 10-speed automatic w/sequential shift
Drive modes: Multi-terrain, Crawl, Tow/Haul
EPA estimated mileage: 19/22
Overall length: 208.1 inches
Curb weight: 6179 pounds
Final assembly: San Antonio, Texas
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