Toyota’s sense for the perfect moment doesn’t exist at all. A couple months ago, our insider suggested us that the car manufacturer works on the new Sequoia SUV, so we were pretty much sure that we will see the new generation full-size SUV. But no! Instead, they decided to bring just the refreshed 2018 Toyota Sequoia at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show. Believe it or no, the SUV will feature just some small changes inside and out and more standard active-safety features. Okay, the car manufacturer also introduced the TRD Sport model, but this isn’t what we expected.
Styling wise, the SUV gets a number of changes in the front end and almost nothing in the front. They added redesigned headlights and fog lamps, as well as a totally different grille that differs from trim level to trim level. The 2018 Sequoia also features a new front bumper with a bigger air intake. You will be able to choose several new exterior paints (Midnight Black Metallic, Shoreline Blue Pearl, and Toasted Walnut Pearl), but they are not too attractive to us.
The restyled interior will also feature several changes, but this isn’t too impressive at all. Okay, the carmaker has added a new gauge cluster and center console, but there is no passion at all. There is also a revised multi-information display, but we have to see how it works before we tell you more about it. From our point of view, the most important part of this update is the new active-safety features. Toyota calls Safety Sense-P and sports lane-departure alert, automatic high-beams, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control.
Now get ready for the biggest surprise, which is hidden under the hood of the 2018 Toyota Sequoia. Believe it or no, the updated full-size SUV gets nothing new under the hood. No, they will keep the familiar 5.7-liter i-Force V-8 engine that will continue to deliver 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The unit will be paired with a six-speed automatic transmission only, while you can choose between rear- and four-wheel-drive systems.
If you think that there will be something special with the new 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport, we have to disappoint you. The sporty trim might get some tweaks and specialties, but nothing essentially different from the regular model. SUV’s special equipment includes Bilstein dampers and TRD anti-roll bars at both axles. Okay, there are certain styling tweaks as well. The specific trim sports 20-inch black wheels, TRD-specific grille and front bumper, as well as smoked rear taillights and black mirror caps.
Toyota hasn’t said anything about the price of the full-size SUV, but we think that there will be no big changes. Anyway, the 2018 Sequoia will hit the showrooms in September, so we should find the exact price before summer.
