- First time TRD package for Sequoia
- High-tech Fox Shocks suspension
- 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8
- Pricing, availability announced later
- Current 2019 Toyota Sequoia starts at $48,700
Adding a spark to its aging full-size SUV standard bearer, Toyota has taken the wraps off the off-road-oriented 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro. The TRD Pro models incorporate off-road features developed in conjunction with Toyota Racing Development’s off-road racing program and has adapted them to the Tacoma, 4Runner and Tundra.
Since the full-size Sequoia shares a lot of its underpinnings with the Tundra, it was natural to adapt this off-road tech to it. Toyota says the vehicle’s body-on-frame construction, 4-wheel independent suspension, generous ground clearance and 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 with Multi-Mode 4WD, an option in lower Sequoia trim levels, are key attributes in the TRD Pro conversion.
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Exterior design cues
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro models are distinguished by the TRD-inspired large Toyota lettering on the grille, which is flanked by LED headlamps and LED foglamps below. The vehicle rides on 18×8 inch black BBS alloy wheels with P275/65 R18 rubber. Adding to the off-road focus of the package are a front skid plate, cast aluminum running boards and a roof rack. Exclusive colors to the TRD Pro models include Army Green along with Super White, Midnight Black and Magnetic Gray from the standard color palette.
Inside, the Sequoia TRD Pro has black leather-trimmed seats with red stitching, TRD Pro logos embroidered into the headrests and all-weather floor mats. Seating is a 7-passenger setup with second row captain’s chairs and a 3-passenger third row bench.
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Fox Shocks suspension
A major element in the Sequoia TRD Pro model is its use of a Fox Shocks suspension. The aluminum internal bypass shocks are specially tuned to match the Sequoia’s setup. Front 2.5-inch units have seven compression and two rebound zones, while at the rear, 2.0-inch piggyback monotube shocks have pistons more than three times the diameter than the standard dampers. In addition to fitting the new shock absorbers, engineers softened the front spring rates to improve off-road performance.
Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) is standard on all Sequoias including the TRD Pro. This active safety suite includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, lane departure alert, intelligent cruise control with full-stop braking and automatic high beam lighting. Also standard are blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
The Toyota Sequoia also introduces a number of features that will also be offered across the TRD Pro lineup in 2020 including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility. While the Sequoia retains its 7-inch touchscreen, Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner will get a larger 8-inch display.
The 2020 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro goes on sale later this year with pricing announced closer to its launch. The standard 2019 Sequoia starts at $48,700.
