2025 Toyota Sequoia 1794 Edition - Review by Bruce Hotchkiss +VIDEO

Big, But Not The Biggest

Bruce Hotchkiss

By Bruce Hotchkiss
Special Correspondent, West Coast Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL

It's big. Not as big as it feels, but it is big. That was my first impression.

In reality, in comparison to other large SUVs, it is not that huge, but it sure felt that way to me. The overall length is 208.1", or 17.34' long. Worse is the width - 79.6". If it wasn't for the foldable side mirrors I don't think it would have made it into my single-car garage.

Beauty being in the eye of the beholder, I'll let you decide if the Sequoia is good-looking. Suffice it to say I do not subscribe to the "bigger is better" school of design. All these trucks with their massive front ends just turn me off.

This Sequoia, any 2025 Sequoia, is a hybrid. The main power source is a twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V6 that kicks out 437 HP, and 583 lb-ft of torque. An electric motor adds 48 HP, and 184 lb-ft. A 10-speed automatic sends power either to the rear wheels (RWD), or all four wheels, as on the test Sequoia 4WD.

In theory, this hybrid engine combo returns decent fuel economy. According to the EPA, 19-mpg is attainable around town. As you can see, I came nowhere close to the around-town figure, that 13.8 mpg number is around town, no lead-footing it. Yes, it is more fuel efficient than the previous V8, but c'mon. No wonder you folks complain about the price of gas.

I was a bit confused by the "1794 Edition." How does 1794 relate to Toyota's heritage? Toyota was incorporated in 1937. Well, according to Toyota "In the year 1794, a ranch near San Antonio was established, and on that same land the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia are assembled today." Okay.

What the 1794 Edition gets you is a Texas ranch-themed, Saddle Tan leather-trimmed seats front, middle, and rear. Yes there are three rows of seats with seating for 8.

The downside of having a 3rd row of seats is that there is precious little cargo space, as little as 11.5 cubic feet (the rear seats slide for and aft). With the 2nd and 3rd seats folded down there is 86.9 cu. ft. of space.

On thing that is important to many who buy these big SUVs is towing ability. With 4WD you can tow up to 9,010 lbs.

But how did it ride and drive Bruce? Pretty darn good, all things being considered. Once seated in the comfy driver's seat it was smooth sailing. The Sequoia, for a large SUV with 4WD, it had a fairly tight turning circle. Once I got used to the size, I could maneuver our city streets with ease. Heck I even took a trip into "the city" (San Francisco).

One thing I could live without is the exhaust noise. Toyota isn't alone in this. So many vehicles have a power throb or thrum. Cars, or at least those driven by adults, used to be quiet. Now there is so much noise pollution. Teddy Roosevelt famously once said "Walk softly and carry a big stick." Stealth mode people, stealth mode.

I am not a prospective purchaser of a large SUV. I am a Toyota fan. If you need, or think you need, a big SUV you should consider the 2025 Toyota Sequoia.

The base price of a 2025 Sequoia 1794 Edition is $80,385. The options on the one tested bring that up to $84,460, and delivery adds another $1,945. So with tax and license you're creeping up on $100,000. Prices are from Toyota's website.