The 2019 Toyota Sequoia Platinum was the flagship trim of the second-generation Sequoia, a full-size, body-on-frame SUV that Toyota produced from the 2008 through 2022 model years. For 2019 the Platinum carried over without major changes, pairing the standard 5.7-liter V8 with the most luxurious equipment in the lineup, including an adaptive variable suspension and a JBL premium audio system.
As the top of the range, the Platinum was the trim Toyota used to demonstrate what the Sequoia could offer in comfort and technology. It kept the same engine and drivetrain as the lower trims, so its distinctions were almost entirely about ride tuning, seating, and interior materials.
Overview and Model History
Toyota launched the second-generation Sequoia for the 2008 model year, basing it on the contemporary Tundra pickup and targeting the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe. The Platinum trim was introduced with that generation and remained its most expensive variant. A 2018 refresh gave the whole range new front-end styling, standard LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights, a redesigned cabin with a 4.2-inch multi-information display, and standard Toyota Safety Sense-P driver assistance.
The 2019 model year brought no major mechanical changes, so the Platinum continued with the same V8, the same six-speed automatic, and the same suspension hardware as the 2018 model. Toyota’s lineup for 2019 listed the Sequoia in four trims—SR5, TRD Sport, Limited, and Platinum—each with rear- or four-wheel drive.
Engine and Drivetrain
All 2019 Sequoia trims used the 5.7-liter i-Force V8, rated at 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. A six-speed automatic fed the rear wheels as standard, with a four-wheel-drive system available that added a two-speed transfer case for low-range driving. Toyota rated the Sequoia to tow up to 7,400 pounds when properly equipped.
Because the engine did not change across trims, the Platinum’s performance matched the SR5 and Limited: independent testing recorded roughly 6.5–6.7 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. The differences between trims showed up in ride quality and equipment rather than acceleration.
Platinum Equipment and Suspension
The Platinum built on the Limited with 20-inch wheels, a chrome grille surround, heated and ventilated front seats, memory outside mirrors, puddle lights, and the Entune JBL premium audio system. Its most significant mechanical addition was an adaptive variable suspension with electronically actuated shock absorbers and a hollow stabilizer bar, which let the driver adjust the ride between comfort and firmer settings.
The Platinum was also the only 2019 Sequoia trimmed with standard second-row captain’s chairs in place of the middle bench, reducing seating from eight to seven passengers. That layout traded one seat for easier access to the third row and more comfortable second-row accommodations. Buyers who needed maximum seating chose the SR5 or Limited instead; the 2019 Toyota Sequoia Limited Price, Review page covers that trim.
Interior and Cargo
The Sequoia offered one of the roomiest cabins in its class, with a three-row layout and generous space in every row. The Platinum added premium materials and power-folding third-row seats. Edmunds lists 18.9 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third row and up to 120.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded.
Pricing
Cars.com lists the 2019 Sequoia Platinum at $64,760 with rear-wheel drive and $67,985 with four-wheel drive. For comparison, the Limited started at $57,545 or $60,770, the TRD Sport at $51,765, and the base SR5 at $49,050. The Platinum’s roughly $7,000 premium over the Limited bought the adaptive suspension, ventilated seats, captain’s chairs, and the upgraded audio system.
Fuel Economy and Dimensions
The 2019 Sequoia was EPA-rated at 13 mpg city, 17 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined in rear-wheel drive, and 14 mpg combined with four-wheel drive. It measured 205.1 inches long on a 122.0-inch wheelbase, 79.9 inches wide, and 77.0 inches tall. The Platinum, with its extra equipment, was among the heavier versions at roughly 5,900 pounds.
Availability Today
Second-generation Sequoia production ended after the 2022 model year, and the 2023 third-generation model replaced the V8 with a 437-horsepower twin-turbo V6 hybrid and raised the towing rating to as much as 9,520 pounds. That makes used 2019 Platinums part of the last V8-powered Sequoias. The 2019 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport Price and Redesign page covers the appearance-focused grade, and the site’s Toyota Review section has more model coverage.
Although the Platinum sat at the top of the range, Toyota sold relatively few Sequoias overall during these years. US sales of the model totaled 11,121 units in the 2018 model year and 10,289 in 2019, according to production figures, which placed the Sequoia well behind the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe in volume. It remained a niche choice for buyers who wanted a V8 and eight seats in a Toyota.
The Platinum’s standard-feature list was comprehensive. Beyond the adaptive suspension and captain’s chairs, it included 20-inch wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, a power-folding third row, memory settings for the driver’s seat and outside mirrors, puddle lamps, and the Entune JBL premium audio system. In the seven-seat layout, the walk-through between the second-row captain’s chairs made it easier to reach the third row than in the bench-seat trims.
Like the rest of the 2019 Sequoia range, the Platinum used a body-on-frame chassis with four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. The available four-wheel-drive system included a two-speed transfer case with a low range, which is why Toyota could rate the SUV at up to 7,400 pounds of towing capacity when properly equipped. For buyers comparing trims, the practical differences were the Platinum’s suspension tuning and seating layout rather than any change in capability.
