The 2019 Toyota Sequoia was the latest version of a model that had been on sale since the 2008 model year. Toyota had refreshed the second-generation Sequoia for 2018, and the 2019 SUV carried that design forward with no major changes. Buyers expecting a ground-up redesign for 2019 had to wait: the next all-new Sequoia did not arrive until the 2023 model year. This article explains what actually changed, how the 2019 Sequoia was styled and equipped, and what each trim cost.
Was the 2019 Sequoia a Redesign?
No. The Sequoia’s second generation ran from the 2008 through 2022 model years, built at Toyota’s Princeton, Indiana plant. Toyota unveiled a refreshed Sequoia for the 2018 model year on February 9, 2017, adding standard LED headlights, daytime running lights and fog lights, and three new colors: Midnight Black Metallic, Shoreline Blue Pearl and Toasted Walnut Pearl. The 2019 model continued that same body, interior layout and chassis.
For 2019, the notable addition to the range was the TRD Sport grade, which had been introduced for 2018. It brought a sport-tuned suspension and cosmetic changes but did not alter the SUV’s fundamental design or dimensions.
The six-speed automatic transmission and part-time four-wheel-drive system were also carried over unchanged, so a 2019 Sequoia drove exactly like the 2018 version.
Exterior Design
The Sequoia stayed true to its boxy, upright shape. Its proportions were shared with the Tundra pickup, and Toyota sized it to compete with full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada. The 2018 lighting update that carried into 2019 gave the front end a more modern look without changing the silhouette, and Toyota said the design was shaped to minimize wind noise.
Wheel sizes varied by trim: SR5 models used 18-inch alloy wheels with 275/65 R18 tires, while the Limited and Platinum rode on 20-inch wheels with 275/55 R20 tires. The Sequoia offered a 38.1-foot turning diameter and 13.9-inch ventilated front brakes with four-piston calipers.
Physically, the Sequoia was among the largest SUVs Toyota sold, with a tall hood, boxy greenhouse and vertical tailgate that had changed little since 2008. Buyers who wanted a more distinctive look could choose the TRD Sport, which added black 20-inch wheels and dark exterior accents, or step up to the Limited and Platinum, which used chrome detailing and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Interior and Dimensions
Inside, the Sequoia offered three rows and seating for seven or eight passengers. Toyota quoted 40.9 inches of second-row legroom and 35.1 inches in the third row, so adults could use the rearmost seats. With the second and third rows folded flat, cargo volume reached 120.1 cubic feet, and the cabin could hold objects up to 11 feet long. Standard comfort features across the range included tri-zone automatic climate control and a power tilt/slide moonroof with a sliding sunshade.
The middle row was a 40/20/40 split bench that folded flat and slid through 5.9 inches of travel, with captain’s chairs available for a seven-seat layout. The third row split 60/40 and reclined, and it could be folded with a power feature on higher trims.
The third row was fully usable, with reclining backrests, and the power-folding feature on higher trims made converting between passenger and cargo configurations straightforward.
Powertrain and Capability
The single engine across the 2019 range was a 5.7-liter i-FORCE V8 producing 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm, backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, and a Multi-Mode four-wheel-drive system with a lockable TORSEN center differential and a two-speed transfer case was optional, with low range selectable on the move. Maximum towing capacity was 7,400 pounds for two-wheel drive and 7,100 pounds for four-wheel drive.
Because every 2019 Sequoia shared the same drivetrain, the choice between trims affected equipment and appearance rather than performance. The four-wheel-drive system was one of the more capable setups in the class, combining a locking center differential with a true low-range transfer case.
Price by Trim
For the 2019 model year, Cars.com listed the following starting MSRPs, which exclude the destination charge:
| Trim | Drivetrain | Starting MSRP |
|---|---|---|
| SR5 | Rear-wheel drive | $49,050 |
| SR5 | Four-wheel drive | $52,275 |
| TRD Sport | Rear-wheel drive | $51,765 |
| Limited | Rear-wheel drive | $57,545 |
| Limited | Four-wheel drive | $60,770 |
| Platinum | Rear-wheel drive | $64,760 |
| Platinum | Four-wheel drive | $67,985 |
CarsDirect, which quotes prices including the $1,295 destination charge, listed the same lineup at $49,995 for the SR5, $52,710 for the TRD Sport, $58,490 for the Limited and $65,705 for the Platinum, with four-wheel drive adding $3,225.
Model Year Changes and the 2023 Redesign
The second-generation Sequoia saw few major changes after its 2018 refresh. A Blu-ray rear-seat entertainment system became standard on the Platinum for 2014, and Toyota made no major changes for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 model years. A TRD Pro off-road package arrived for 2020 with Fox internal-bypass shocks, and a Nightshade Edition, limited to 2,500 units, followed for 2021.
The genuine redesign came with the third-generation Sequoia, unveiled on January 25, 2022, for the 2023 model year. It moved to the TNGA-F platform and adopted an i-FORCE MAX twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 hybrid, raising maximum towing to between 9,300 and 9,520 pounds.
Related Toyota Models
Related reading on this site includes the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Redesign and Review and the 2019 Toyota Sequoia Platinum Price and Redesign. You can also browse the full Toyota Review archive.
