The all-new 2023 Toyota Sequoia was named “Sport Utility Vehicle of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) at the annual Texas Truck Rodeo event. The Sequoia, assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) in San Antonio, also received the highest mark in three additional categories, including Full-Size SUV, Off-Road SUV and Best Exterior. This year’s Texas Truck Rodeo brought together dozens of journalists to evaluate automakers’ latest trucks and SUVs on an off-road course at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas. Vehicles were evaluated on interior, exterior, value, performance and personal appeal.
“The all-new Toyota Sequoia provides all the room, technology, power and efficiency our customers need, and we appreciate TAWA recognizing all that the Sequoia offers,” said Mike Sweers, executive chief engineer for the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma and 4Runner vehicle programs at Toyota Motor North America, Research and Development (TMNA R&D). “After the successful launch of the Tundra, which TAWA named Truck of Texas at the 2021 Truck Rodeo, we are excited to be accelerating into the next chapter in our truck-family story with the Sequoia.”
Much like the coastal redwoods after which it’s named, the 2023 Sequoia makes an immediate impression. The three-row SUV is all new from the ground up, and it aims to elevate the full-size segment with luxurious comfort, impressive technology and breath-taking performance from an efficient new hybrid powertrain. The Sequoia lives up to its powerful and legendary namesake, with a standard i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain that provides 437 hp, 583 lb.-ft. of torque and maximum towing capacity of up to 9,520 lbs.
Sequoia offers space families need it to haul passengers and all their gear. It is available in five unique grades that include SR5, Limited, Platinum, TRD Pro and the new Capstone luxury grade. Every grade is fitted with the new multimedia system first launched in Tundra. It is headlined by large 8-inch or available 14-inch touchscreen that controls the all-new Toyota Audio Multimedia system designed and engineered by Texas-based Toyota Connected North America. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system offers an improved user experience thanks to new sight, touch and voice activation.