It’s hard to go a day without overhearing people on the street whispering excitedly about the scandalous Toyota Sequoia. Okay, that statement is completely false, and no doubt part of the reason why Toyota saw fit to add an off-road-minded sport trim to its lightly refreshed full-size SUV for 2018.
Ah, hell, why not add it to the full-size Toyota Tundra pickup, as well?
Look closely and you might miss the exterior enhancements found on the TRD Sport grade variants. On the Sequoia, the new trim brings — you guessed it — prominent TRD badging for the SUV’s doors, done up in a black satin finish that’s supposed to convey menace. Remember, the Sequoia will still seat six of your kids.
The dark-as-a-poet’s-heart treatment carries over to the rest of the body, from the 20-inch black alloy sport wheels to the metallic mirror caps and shaded taillights. Expect to find the TRD name emblazoned on floor mats, sill protectors and the shift knob. The largest indicator (from across the parking lot) that this isn’t your uncle’s Sequoia is the equally dark grille and bumper grille inserts.
For 2018, all Sequoias see minor updates to the SUV’s face. Slimmer LED headlights join new (LED) fog light housings, a revised bumper opening, and a mildly revamped grille with four horizontal bars.
Thankfully, Toyota hasn’t committed the crime of making this an appearance package only. Product planners made sure the Sequoia received TRD sport-tuned Bilstein Shocks and TRD front and rear anti-sway bars. The extra gear and flourishes are only available on models equipped with the 5.7-liter V8, with or without four-wheel drive.
Pretty much the same can be expected from the 2018 Tundra in TRD Sport guise. The pickup receives the same shocks and anti-sway bars, as well as color-keyed mirrors, front and rear bumpers, and hood scoop. A mesh grille (new to all 2018 Tundras) is set into a body-colored frame, completing the monochromatic motif.
As for badging and graphics, don’t worry — there’ll be no chance of anyone not noticing this Tundra once spent a night at the TRD club. Any CrewMax or Double Cab variant outfitted with the 5.7-liter V8 can apply for membership.
Both models receive an extra scoop of technology for 2018, as Toyota races to stay competitive in an industry that’s foisting as many gadgets at customers as it can muster. Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) becomes standard equipment next year, delivering a host of driver assist goodies. Among the many safety aids are a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and Toyota’s Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.
2018 Tundra and Sequoia TRD Sport grades should begin appearing in showrooms in September, if the thought isn’t too intimidating.
[Image: Toyota]
They need the Canyonero Edition.
How is it that the guy who came up with the name ‘TRD’ still has a job?
I always think TuRD when I see these things…
How about this for a marketing line:
“TRD….the only thing missing is U!”
Unexplained fires are a matter for the courts! Canyonero! Canyonero!
What type of sport? Must be a racing edition. Low profiles, street tires and safety nannies aren’t going to do much for an off-road package like I would have expected this to be.
What’s awesome about the Sequoia is that it gets single-digit MPG in E-85 mode. Even the Suburban gets 20% more. Talk about range anxiety: 264 miles!
Wow. No wonder I never see these on the street.
In defense of the Sequioa, I bet only 1% of the trucks will ever see E-85, and I would bet only 1% of that 1% will ever see it twice.
I like the Tundra grill ok. The SUV one sucks.
WHY would anyone buy a Sequoia? It’s huge, ugly, and the interior is horrible for this or any price.
Lowering rear tailgate window, enviable reliability, a second row that dwarfs the rest of the class. Also a 4wd system with a driver selectable locking center diff in 4H mode. Lastly insane resale.
Reliability resale, and fairly competent tow vehicle. Go on the air stream forum it seems 90% of the owners of these tow airstreams.
Toyota Land cruiser reliability.. Next to no depreciation.. Awesome power rear window
I’ve never been able to deal with the styling of this generation of Sequoia. It’s swollen and bulbous in all the wrong places. I see it and I think of 400-pound people.
And that’s before you get to interior quality or fuel economy.
You eat for free at The Heart Attack Grill in Vegas if you are over 350 pounds!
It is ugly I have the same issue with the Tundra. The interiors are subpar as well. But they are durable tow well and don’t drive half bad.
I remember in 2006 at Chicago Auto Show when this Tundra came out. Still the same truck. F150, Silverado and Ram have changed twice since then.
Yep, with just a facelift (“restyle”) for 2014. Sadly, an also-ran.
Lipstick on a pig. How about another engine choice? Another gear ratio choice for better mpg? A mechanical limited slip differential?
It’s always bothered me that aside from the Suburban/Tahoe/Yukon, there are no full-size truck-based SUVs with an available front bench. I mean, if your vehicle is nearly 80″ wide, why not have 3-passenger seating in at least the first two rows?
Drzhivago138 – agree 100%. I find it handy having a column shift and seating for 3 across in the front.
Sequoia TRD? I’m amazed it took them this long given how many years the Tahoe/Suburban Z71 has been around. I wouldn’t mind one but yes as others have said, it is a vehicle that only makes sense NEW given the used transaction prices.
Although by the sound of it,the TRD slant for the Sequoia is unfortunately an on-road one (judging by the swaybars as part of the package).
Wow.
Non functioning hood scoops.
#hatefakescoops