It’s one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets that a new Toyota Sequoia is on the way within twelve months or so, likely sharing much with the just-released Tundra pickup truck. The company has now shared a typically shadowy teaser image of the upcoming rig, one which may not be as slab-sided as its forebear.
Actually, we assume it’s the Sequoia since Toyota doesn’t specify the vehicle in this image as that particular model. However, it isn’t rocket surgery to read between the lines of ‘something big’ and ‘SUV lineup’ to parse the presence of the brand’s largest rig in this class. A pronounced character line cleaves through the rear quarter panel, digging into the rear door above that portal’s handle before making a dramatic drop toward terra firma. There appears to be a decent amount of family resemblance in what we can see of its taillamps, what with their narrowed profile and forward-reaching tentacles.
Other than that, we can confirm the next Sequoia will have door handles and a bit of chrome trim around its windows. Big changes seem to be on their way in terms of its side profile, with the existing model having a thick color-keyed C-pillar. Here, it appears the back passenger doors will abut the newly-shaped rear quarter windows, removing a bit of visual heft. Those windows also bear a new shape, kicking toward the tailgate like a hockey stick instead of resembling a parallelogram or rhombus (didn’t think you’d need to know geometry to read TTAC, didja?).
We’re left guessing as to what’s under the hood, but it’s a fair assumption that we’ll find at least one variant of the Tacoma’s V6 when this thing shows up later in 2022. Whether it will provide the hybridized option of 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of twist remains to be seen. In case you’ve forgotten, the non-hybrid twin-turbo in a 2022 Tundra is good for 389 horses and 479 lb-ft of torque. At present, Sequoia makes do with 381 ponies and 401 lb-ft from its 5.7L V8 mill.
Through the end of December 2021, Toyota managed to find homes for just over 8,000 new Sequoia SUVs, marking a small jump from the weird year that was 2020. Amongst its brand family, it outsells the Supra … and that’s about it, representing less than one-half of one percent of Toyota brand sales in this country. Sales held steady at about 12,000 units per annum for a decade before dropping off a cliff in 2020.
[Image: Toyota]
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i rarely see new ones, but always see old ones (1st gen). from that pic, i wouldve just guessed highlander
I heard that Toyota is getting out of the automotive business.
I won’t buy it unless I see a video of it for every story I read on this site.
Maybe the could replace punch-in-the-face guy with an appropriately attractive soccer mom type. Might ease the pain.
That guy is very punchable in that stupid vest.
IMHO no one is interested in this SUV. On the other hand Ford finally revealed the new generation of Fusion/Mondeo midsize sedan and TTAC ignores it. Imagine if it was Nissan Altima or Honda Accord.
Ford has a new sedan?? Got a link?
https://www.motor1.com/news/561245/2022-ford-mondeo-china-debut/
Imagine this…. did anyone much care that the Fusion was discontinued for North America in the first place? And does the “C” in TTAC now stand for China, the actual market for said Ford Fusion?
Now if the Fusion were returning to the US market and TTACars were to neglect covering it, that would be a legitimate concern.
@analoggrotto: China is the new USA. Get used to it.
First glance at the image had me thinking Grand Highlander.
Looks like they made it shorter. That would be a bit disappointing. The Sequoia is a very slow seller but the segment is growing and very profitable so it makes sense to stay in it. For large BOF SUVS, you have the following sales
Sequoia 8K
Armada 22K
Expedition 82K
Yukon 84k
Tahoe 106k
GM literally owns this market, as these numbers don’t include Suburbans and Esacalades.
A photo of the new Tundra pickup might have been useful for comparison…
Isn’t the current Sequoia from 08? Has to be one of the oldest cars still on sale.
Much like the 4Runner.
4runner sells lots as your buddies over at Car and Driver are having a tough time grappling with in this recent issue.
I recently bought a 2003 4Runner with the 4.0L V6. That engine makes more horsepower than the contemporary V8 but less torque. Amazing car – that badly needs front shocks. I’ll wait for a Chinook to tackle that job. The O2s and alternator are done and, should you get the chance – check the oil filter housing and placement on these engines. Sheer brilliance.
@Tele Vision – I have that engine in my Tacoma (latched to a 6 speed manual) and service it myself. Everyone who sees the oil filter placement is dumbfounded as to why more vehicles arent similarly configured. Now, my filter is hard to remove with all of the typical tools and I end up using a big pair of channel locks to crush and then rotate the cannister out of there, and I only tighten by hand. Strange but serviceable.
Dad has a 2010 4runner, with the updated dual VVT-i 4.0L V6, the oil filter is replaced with an “element” type setup with all kinds of weird sub steps to remove and install.
ive seen it in person…they did away with the power tailgate rear window from what i could tell…huge mistake.
If they would have a real hybrid version, ideally a plug-in, with the NA V6 and two of the 190 hp electric motors from the RAV4/Highlander I’d be interested. Unfortunately the Tundra “hybrid” is weak sauce that’s basically a gas powertrain with one small electric motor added, so the fuel economy will still be dismal.
I don’t think they anticipate many of these selling into the sort of tight urban usage where electrics shine.
Once on the open road; unlike a zero air resistance, zero tow capacity Prius; the batteries and assorted hybrid complications will just mean added weight and clutter for this sort of vehicle.
If I needed a big SUV that would last 25+ years and if I could live with the 13 to 17 mpg of the V8 I’d pick up one of these before they change it. I know it would be terribly boring to drive but that seems to be the price you pay when you go for ultra reliability.
Therefore we are entitled to articles about China only vehicles?