Toyota Sequoia TRD 2023 is now a Land Cruiser. While even in TRD Pro trim does lack some headline-grabbing and desirable off-road tech like electronic swaybar disconnected. Also, a fancy, full-time four-wheel-drive system does have a locking center differential.
However, that doesn’t mean it will be a poor performer. Especially when the going gets tough and dirty. In fact, the Sequoia TRD Pro may help blunt the loss of the Land Cruiser in America for some possible buyers.
Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro – TNGA-F Platform
The global Land Cruiser shares its TNGA-F platform and its luxury-oriented twin, the Lexus LX 600. That is unlike the LC which is being selling in the U.S. The Sequoia TRD Pro gets Fox internal bypass shocks, a 1/4″ aluminum TRD front skid plate, plus locking rear diff, Multi-Terrain Select, Downhill Assist Control, Crawl Control, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor. It is going to be a fairly formidable package overall.
There is one area where the Sequoia trounces the Land Cruiser and the Lexus LX 600. It can, in fact, be finding underhood. Also, the big SUV’s standard engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. It makes 437 horsepower plus 583 pound-feet of torque. There is a similar powerplant that comes in the LC and LX. However, it does lacks Sequoia’s hybrid component. In fact, it sandwiches a powerful electric motor between the engine and the 10-speed automatic transmission. The Sequoia’s extra 104 lb-ft, suffice to say, is over the Land Cruiser is going to be feeling from behind the wheel.
Land Cruiser and Sequoia, it’s worth mentioning, were designing with different buyers in mind. Also, the LC is more than likely compact. We have to assume it must be for great ground clearance. Therefore, the Sequoia is likely to be a better family vehicle. Moreover, it is certainly to be a better towing rig. It is obvious there are tradeoffs that are part of any vehicle’s design direction. However, with that in mind, more Americans are really likely to appreciate the benefits of the Sequoia versus the Land Cruiser.
