The 2020 Toyota Sequoia is a full-size, body-on-frame SUV and a member of the second generation (model code XK60), which was introduced for 2008 and remained on sale through the 2022 model year. It is derived from the Tundra pickup and built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana. The headline change for 2020 was the addition of a TRD Pro grade, giving the Sequoia a dedicated off-road model for the first time. Apart from that, the 2020 Sequoia carried over the same V8 powertrain and ladder frame it had used since its last major refresh for 2018.
Second-Generation Background
The second-generation Sequoia debuted at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show and went on sale that December as a 2008 model. It moved to the same platform family as the second-generation Tundra, adopting a fully boxed frame that Toyota said was 70 percent more resistant to bending and 30 percent stiffer in torsion than the previous design. It also switched to a rear independent suspension with double wishbones and coil springs, which freed space for a fold-flat third-row seat and gave the big SUV a tighter turning circle for its size. The second generation initially offered a 4.7-liter V8 before a 4.6-liter unit and, ultimately, the 5.7-liter V8 that powered the 2020 model.
Powertrain
Every 2020 Sequoia uses the same 5.7-liter 3UR-FE V8, producing 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and drives either the rear wheels or, optionally, all four wheels through a part-time four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case and a locking center differential on 4WD models. The engine is notable for its long production run and its use in the Tundra and Land Cruiser, and it gives the Sequoia a maximum tow rating of 7,400 lb in rear-wheel drive and 7,100 lb with four-wheel drive.
Specifications and Fuel Economy
| Specification | 2020 Sequoia (5.7-liter V8) |
|---|---|
| Power | 381 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 401 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive |
| EPA (RWD / 4WD) | 13/17/15 mpg, 13/17/14 mpg |
| Max towing | 7,400 lb (RWD) / 7,100 lb (4WD) |
| Length / wheelbase | 205.1 in / 122.0 in |
| Seating | Seven or eight passengers |
Trims and Pricing
The 2020 Sequoia came in five grades, with rear-wheel drive standard on most and four-wheel drive optional for about $3,225. The TRD Pro was offered in four-wheel drive only:
- SR5 — from $49,980
- TRD Sport — from $52,695
- Limited — from $58,990
- TRD Pro — $64,105, four-wheel drive only
- Platinum — from $66,020
Those prices exclude a destination charge of $1,325, which Toyota applied to its large SUVs for 2020.
The New TRD Pro Grade
The TRD Pro, new for 2020, is the off-road-focused Sequoia. It adds TRD-tuned Fox internal-bypass shocks, additional skid plating, a unique TOYOTA grille, body-color exterior trim, LED fog lights, and 18-inch wheels, along with leather surfaces embossed with TRD Pro logos. Because of the off-road suspension, its tow rating is slightly lower than that of a comparable standard Sequoia at 7,100 lb. The TRD Pro sat below the Platinum in price but above the TRD Sport and Limited.
Interior and Equipment
Interior equipment varies by grade. The base SR5 includes an eight-way power driver’s seat, four-way power front passenger’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, a power moonroof, front and rear parking sensors, and 18-inch wheels. The Limited adds keyless start, a power liftgate, heated front seats, and interior trim upgrades. The top Platinum grade brings perforated leather, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, an adaptive rear air suspension, and a rear-seat entertainment system with a nine-inch screen. The Sequoia seats seven or eight depending on whether the second row is a bench or captain’s chairs.
Safety and Ratings
Standard safety equipment on the 2020 Sequoia includes Toyota’s Star Safety System, which bundles vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. Front side torso airbags and roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all three rows have been fitted since the second generation, and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger became standard early in the model run. The 2020 Sequoia also included a rearview camera and, on most grades, a blind-spot monitor. Because it predates Toyota Safety Sense, the Sequoia does not offer the full suite of active driver-assistance features found on newer Toyotas.
What Buyers Should Know Today
The Sequoia was redesigned for 2023 with a twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain, so the 2020 model is the last of the V8 Sequoias and the only generation to offer a TRD Pro V8. That matters to buyers who value the simpler, naturally aspirated engine and the model’s long-standing reputation for durability; the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety once found that the 4WD Sequoia had the lowest driver death rate in its class for the years it examined. Fuel economy is the main trade-off, at 13 to 15 mpg combined, and buyers should expect that running cost. The second-generation Sequoia shared its 5.7-liter V8 with the Tundra and Land Cruiser, so engine parts and service knowledge are widely available, and the model has a strong towing and reliability reputation among full-size SUV buyers. Prospective buyers should also note the Sequoia’s roughly 5,730-lb curb weight and its 26.4-gallon fuel tank, both of which shape its driving character and running costs.
Is There a 2020 Sequoia TRD Pro?
Yes. The TRD Pro was added to the Sequoia range for the 2020 model year and is a genuine production trim, not a concept. It was discontinued with the end of the second generation after 2022.
