Measuring Cargo Room in the New 2023 Toyota Sequoia Isn’t Easy
Toyota upgraded the Sequoia for 2023. But did they do enough to bring the full-size SUV up to the competition’s standards?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
After 15 years, Toyota finally introduced a new generation of its third-row
SUV
, the Sequoia, for 2023. Like most all-new models, the automaker hoped to improve upon the outgoing model in every way.In short, when it comes to
cargo space
, Toyota succeeded. But the long answer is a little more complicated than that. A closer look reveals that the new sliding backseat and removable “trunk” floor make measuring the available cargo room more difficult than expected.2023 Toyota Sequoia’s sliding back row is a complicated upgrade
After trailing behind for years, Toyota wanted to bring the Sequoia up to the same standards as its large SUV rivals. One attempt to do that was to include a sliding third-row seat.
Pushed all the way forward, Toyota says the new seat creates up to 22.3 cubic feet of space behind it for your camping gear and Costco runs.
Autoblog
’s James Riswick says that still puts the SUV behind competing models like the GMC Yukon and Jeep Wagoneer, but it improves on the 2022 Sequoia by 3.4 cu ft.The problem though is that access to the maximum volume puts the backseat out of commission since the
captain seats
in the second row don’t have the same sliding capability. Riswick says the seat needs to be all the way back for a normal-sized adult to fit back there, cutting the storage space to a “pathetic” 11.5 cu ft.
Multiple floor levels further confuse the Sequoia’s cargo space
The new Sequoia’s slidable third row makes understanding its backspace difficult enough, but Toyota added another level of complexity by including a removable floor. The panel can be positioned in four height options, each with its own potential function.
While the bottom level simply gives the trunk floor a carpet finish and the second offers only a few inches of space to hide stuff under, the third setting sits conveniently flush with the folded-down backseat and the last rung puts the floor at a similar level to the pop-up window.
This floor doesn’t increase cargo space any, but it allows you to use the space in different ways. It also makes it easier to take advantage of the Sequoia’s height which many drivers will need, given the full-size SUV’s lack of length.
Another confusing aspect of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia—its price
In most circumstances, people expect Toyota’s vehicles to be on the affordable side. Not so with the Sequoia.
Thanks in part to its standard hybrid powertrain, the full-size SUV starts just under $60,000. That’s on par with many competing models, but it’s still a lot of money for a family to spend.
That price pushes average
car insurance
rates up too, but you can save on coverage by shopping with Jerry. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and can even help you cancel your old policy. And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price. The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on car insurance.
4.7
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