Seven-passenger crossovers are ubiquitous for good reason, offering comfort, versatility, and ease of driving. However, when it comes to substantial towing, most crossovers fall short. While some might handle lighter loads, tasks like hauling an enclosed trailer, especially with family and friends in tow, demand a more robust solution. Enter body-on-frame SUVs like the 2019 Toyota Sequoia.
Following a previous review of the 2019 Toyota Tundra, Toyota provided the 2019 Sequoia Limited for evaluation. The test drive coincided with a race weekend at Pittsburgh International Race Complex, a key event for the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes regions of the National Auto Sport Association. Having previously tested the Tundra’s towing capabilities, the focus shifted to the Sequoia, essentially a Tundra with a shorter wheelbase and an SUV body.
This formula is common for body-on-frame SUVs: they are essentially pickup truck variants, shortened and equipped with a cabin and third-row seating. The 2019 Toyota Sequoia distinguishes itself from the Tundra by replacing leaf springs with an independent rear suspension featuring coil springs, aiming for a smoother ride quality.
What is the 2019 Toyota Sequoia?
The vehicle tested was a 2019 Toyota Sequoia Limited. The Platinum trim sits above it, adding luxury features like quilted leather and ventilated seats. All 2019 Toyota Sequoia models share the Tundra’s powertrain: a 5.7L V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Sequoia operates in rear-wheel drive by default, with dash-mounted controls to engage 4 High or 4 Low for off-road or challenging conditions.
The 2019 Toyota Sequoia, like the Tundra, is not a recent design. While the Tundra received a significant refresh in 2014, the Sequoia’s core design dates back to 2008, with minor updates in 2018 including headlights, grille, instrument panel, and the addition of Toyota Safety Sense.
Despite its age, the 2019 Sequoia Limited comes well-equipped. Features include LED headlights, heated seats, JBL audio, a power tailgate, sunroof, and Toyota Safety Sense P driver-assistance technologies.
Notably, unlike the Tundra, the 2019 Toyota Sequoia does not offer a factory trailer brake controller. For this test, a Tekonsha Prodigy RF wireless brake controller was utilized, providing effective trailer braking without requiring any modifications to the vehicle’s wiring.
Towing Performance of the 2019 Toyota Sequoia
The towing test involved hauling a CargoPro 20′ enclosed trailer to Pitt Race. The trailer, with a 20′ box and 4′ V-nose, measures around 27′ in total length and weighs approximately 6,500 lbs when loaded.
Stability was a primary concern when evaluating the 2019 Toyota Sequoia‘s towing capability. Wheelbase is crucial for trailer stability, especially with enclosed trailers that act as sails in windy conditions. A longer wheelbase helps counteract side-to-side motion.
While the trailer weight was within the 2019 Toyota Sequoia‘s 7,400 lbs maximum towing capacity, the rear suspension noticeably compressed when the trailer was hitched. Weight distribution bars were used to redistribute load, but some rear sag remained apparent. Despite the visual squat, the suspension maintained adequate travel.
Despite initial concerns about sway and wandering steering, the 2019 Toyota Sequoia demonstrated impressive towing composure. Confidence grew as speed limits increased, and the SUV comfortably pulled the trailer at 65-70 mph with no drama. Even encountering strong winds and heavy rain on the return trip, only one significant wind gust required minor steering correction. Appearances of rear sag proved to be misleading regarding its towing prowess.
Beyond Towing: Daily Driving and Interior of the 2019 Toyota Sequoia
While the 2019 Toyota Sequoia excels in towing, aspects beyond this reveal its age.
The interior design reflects an older era. The Entune infotainment system, with its small, low-resolution touchscreen, felt dated and cumbersome to use. The backup camera’s poor resolution even required assistance when hitching the trailer. The JBL sound system, similar to the Tundra’s, suffers from a front-biased sound stage and lacks volume.
Front seat comfort was another drawback. Unlike the Tundra’s more comfortable seats, the Sequoia’s seats became uncomfortable after extended driving periods. Limited driver’s seat lowering resulted in restricted headroom, and reaching controls on the center stack required a significant stretch. Simple actions like skipping tracks on the radio were easier using steering wheel controls due to the inconvenient placement of the “Seek” button.
The test 2019 Toyota Sequoia featured a Shoreline Blue Pearl exterior with Graphite leather interior. The gray leather on seats and door panels had an unusual color and texture, reminiscent of aftermarket vinyl seats. Sand Beige leather, available with some paint options, might offer a more premium feel.
The most significant hurdle for the 2019 Toyota Sequoia is its price. The tested Limited model, not even fully loaded, had an MSRP around $65,500. At this price point, consumers can consider newer and more refined competitors like the Ford Expedition Limited or Chevrolet Tahoe LT with options. These domestic rivals generally offer a more modern and premium interior experience, particularly the Ford. While Toyota offered a $4,000 rebate at the time of the original review, it still doesn’t significantly undercut domestic competitors.
In conclusion, like the 2019 Tundra, the 2019 Toyota Sequoia is a remarkably capable towing vehicle. Its towing stability and power are genuinely impressive. However, it lags behind competitors in overall refinement, interior design, and technology. With a new Tundra in development, a redesigned Toyota Sequoia is eagerly anticipated to bring this body-on-frame SUV into the modern era.
