it’s not just one of the most popular and respected automakers in the United States. It is also one of the best-selling automotive brands in the world, thanks to models such as the RAV4 SUV and the Corolla sedan. Toyota offers other great vehicles in just about every segment, including the oft-forgotten Sienna.
However, even with Toyota’s reputation for reliability, not all of its cars resonate with consumers. The year 2022 was one of the worst years for the Toyota Sequoia full-size SUV. Is there a reason nobody wants this model?
, only 1,745 Toyota Sequoias were sold in November. With 2022 now wrapped up and the rest of the sales figures on the way, it looks like Sequoia will sell less than half of its units sold in 2021.
Admittedly, the Toyota Sequoia is doing better this month than it did in 2021. At this time last year, Toyota only managed to sell about 704 units. The Sequoia also displaced significantly more units in November than some of its siblings, like the Avalon and CH-R.
However, with a few exceptions, the Sequoia lags far behind the rest of the Toyota family. The Toyota Highlander managed to sell over 20,000 units in November 2022 alone. It remains the most popular option among consumers, with over 333,000 units sold this year.
How much has the 2023 Toyota Sequoia improved?
Prior to the release of the 2023 model, the Toyota Sequoia had not been redesigned since the 2008 model year. The 2023 model year received a brand new hybrid powertrain capable of 437 HP and 583 Nm of torque. For comparison, the outgoing Sequoia had a standard gas V8 producing 381hp and 401Nm of torque.
In addition to the modest increase in horsepower, the Toyota Sequoia has also been redesigned inside and out. However, since the 2023 model was released later this year, most of the Sequoia’s 2022 sales were for its previous generation.
The older interior features a lot of gray black plastic and an outdated center stack layout. While it has many large physical controls, the distant driver’s location puts them out of reach.
The infotainment interface graphics are also low-quality compared to what you’ll find in other 2022 Toyota vehicles. While the 2022 Toyota Sequoia has many standard tech features, they aren’t always easy to use on the grainy 7-inch touchscreen.
The Highlander is selling much better than the Sequoia
Drivers clearly love the , even though it has a weaker engine than the 2022 Toyota Sequoia. Its V6 makes just 295 horsepower, but critics usually still have no complaints about acceleration.
Also, a Toyota Highlander with FWD gets 21/29 mpg city/highway. Meanwhile, the 2022 Sequoia’s fuel economy is estimated at 13/17 mpg city/highway.
The higher trims of the 2022 Toyota Highlander feature imaginative design elements such as chrome or wood accents. It’s also easier to reach the infotainment controls in this car, plus you’re surrounded by more cushioned surfaces.
The updated 2023 Toyota Highlander also received some improvements, including a new 265hp turbo-four engine. Like the Toyota Sequoia, it received an infotainment interface update with better graphics. The standard touchscreen is smaller than the outgoing model, but still has a 12.3-inch screen at your disposal.
In this regard, it offers a 14-inch touchscreen. Considering its refreshed modern styling, we’d say the Toyota Sequoia is a much better car now. However, only time will tell if a major redesign is enough to put it on equal footing with its siblings and rivals.
