New Toyota Sequoia Gets Diesel-Level MPG—Thanks, Hybrid
The fuel efficiency figures for the 2023 Toyota Sequoia, which replaces the V-8 engine of its predecessor with a twin-turbo hybrid V-6 engine, are in, and as you might imagine, they're better. The Toyota SUV with two-wheel drive achieves 21 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg overall. Four-wheel drive, which is optional on all trims but the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, which comes standard, subtracts 2 mpg from these numbers for 19/22/20 mpg in the city, highway, and combined. These figures are consistent with the 20 mpg the dashboard of a Platinum 4x4 reported to MotorTrend during a 50-mile trip.
In the rear-drive configuration, the big 'ol 5.7-liter V-8 Sequoia from the previous generation was rated at 13/17/15 mpg city/highway/combined (almost the same with four-wheel drive, though the combined number dropped to 14 mpg). We're not mathematicians, but the fuel efficiency of the new Sequoia is a damned big improvement over those figures. The new i-Force Max Hybrid's electrified 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 powertrain, which produces 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque (including its 48-hp electric motor) and is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission (up four gears from the previous Sequoia's six-speed), deserves the majority of the credit for the vehicle's efficiency. The Sequoia feels quick off the mark because of the hybrid component, which helps avoid any impression of turbo lag. Peak torque is produced at 2,400 rpm.
Toyota revealed that the fuel efficiency figures for the 2023 Sequoia will be close to those of the Toyota Tundra truck with the same i-Force Max Hybrid engine. a hat isn't to say you can't find similar mpg numbers in other full-size SUVs—it's that you won't find them from any hybrids. The GM trucks that run on diesel are the ones that are most similar to the hybrid Sequoia. The 3.0-liter diesel engine option on the 2023 Chevy Tahoe achieves 24 combined mpg (two-wheel drive) and 22 mpg (four-wheel drive); GMC's diesel Yukon and Yukon XL get equivalent values. For combined economy, the Nissan Armada drops to the mid-teens, while the Ford Expedition and Jeep Wagoneer remain in the high teens.
In relation to the TRD Pro Sequoia? Although we don't know the off-particular roader's fuel efficiency, if it's anything like the similarly modified, big-tired Tundra TRD Pro pickup, it might not be as bad as you think. The GM trucks that use diesel fuel are the ones that resemble the hybrid Sequoia the closest. The 2023 Chevy Tahoe's 3.0-liter diesel engine option returns 24 combined mpg (two-wheel drive) and 22 mpg (four-wheel drive); GMC's diesel Yukon and Yukon XL get comparable figures. The Nissan Armada's combined efficiency dips to the mid-teens, while Jeep Wagoneer and Ford Expedition maintain high teens.
concerning the TRD Pro Sequoia? The off-road vehicle's fuel economy is unknown, but if it's anything like the similarly tuned, big-tired Tundra TRD Pro pickup, it might not be as awful as you think. On paper, the 4x4 TRD Pro model loses just 1 mpg city, 2 mpg highway, and 1 mpg combined compared to the 4x4 hybrid Tundra (19/22/20).
Late in the summer of 2022, the Toyota Sequoia 2023 goes on sale.