The Sequoia Trailhunter Has Land Cruiser Hardware With Room For The Whole Crew
Not too long ago, Toyota announced a mid-cycle refresh for its popular Tundra pickup and Sequoia full-size SUV. More details are expected to surface this fall, but the Japanese auto giant has already revealed some pretty exciting facts about the updated 2027 models. Today we’ll focus on the Sequoia for specificity’s sake, while keeping in mind that Toyota plans on giving its pickup sibling the exact same treatment from what we know thus far. And, of course, a detailed look at the new Trailhunter package is most certainly on the menu, so let’s dive in without further ado.
A Broader Overview Of The Sequoia Nameplate Today
The Sequoia entered its third generation for the model-year 2023, based around Toyota’s TNGA-F body-on-frame platform just like the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, Tundra and Tacoma. A major difference between the Sequoia’s current and previous generation is the hardware stashed under the hood, as the older model came equipped with a naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V8. By contrast, the third-gen Sequoia was given the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain, comprising a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 coupled with a permanent-magnet electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The placement of that electric motor is particularly interesting, because it lives inside the bellhousing between the V6 and its associated 10-speed automatic transmission. It therefore acts more like a performance enhancer instead of trying to maximize range or fuel economy, so it’s partially responsible for the SUV’s massive 9,520-pound towing capacity.
In terms of power output, the Sequoia benefits from 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, put to the ground by either a rear-wheel drive or part-time four-wheel drive configuration depending on the variant. Outright speed wasn’t on Toyota’s list of priorities, because its full-size SUV is all about off-roading capability combined with the practicality of an everyday family hauler. The third-gen Sequoia has better road manners than its predecessor, too, courtesy of the solid rear axle getting replaced with independent multi-link suspension. A locking rear differential is also available, but only if you order the model with the optional TRD Off-Road Package or in TRD Pro trim. Speaking of which, the SUV can be had in multiple flavors to suit just as many types of buyers, from families to off-roading enthusiasts and anything in between.
At one end of the spectrum, you’ve got the SR5 serving as the entry point, but folks can instead opt for variants like the Platinum or Capstone if luxury is on their wish list. By contrast, the performance-oriented TRD Pro is aimed at the overlanding crowd with a host of notable upgrades, from top-shelf suspension, skid plates, and that locking differential we mentioned earlier to electronic functions such as Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control. There is also the western-themed luxury version called the 1794 Edition, while the Limited trim provides a more upscale experience than the SR5 but not quite as fancy as the Platinum, Capstone and 1794. Regardless of which one you go with, though, you’ll be getting three-row seating, plenty of room for cargo and, of course, that bulletproof Toyota reliability. Now then, let’s see what the automaker has in store for the 2027 model.
What’s New For 2027?
The upcoming changes are fairly minor from a cosmetic standpoint, with the Sequoia’s front fascia getting a few clever tweaks for a slightly sharper look. Its design has been simplified without losing its imposing vibe, but the more significant changes are actually related to the technological side of things. On the one hand, the massive 14-inch touchscreen previously reserved for higher trims will become standard across the board on the 2027 Sequoia. The Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) system is getting updated from version 2.5 to 4.0 with better sensors and refined functionality all around. In addition, the TRD Pro trim will be getting some specific improvements to make it more of an off-roading beast than it already is.
Its suspension gets premium FOX QS3 shock absorbers, designed specifically for the Sequoia and adjustable to suit any type of terrain nature throws at you. On the visual side, Toyota is introducing the new Honeycomb color scheme, a vibrant shade of gold available exclusively on the TRD Pro. Red tow hooks will make an appearance, too, contrasting rather nicely against the gold paintwork seen elsewhere. That’s all great stuff, but the most exciting part of Toyota’s announcement has to do with the fresh Trailhunter Package. It’s not a standalone trim like the TRD Pro, but more of an optional add-on for the SR5 in the same vein as the TRD Off-Road Package.
The New Trailhunter Package Is The Star Of The Show
Philosophically, the Trailhunter Package is in fact closer to the Land Cruiser than it is to the TRD. It emphasizes expedition rather than pure off-road performance, serving as a capable overlander with room for the whole family and all their cargo. The first ingredient in that recipe is some high-grade Old Man Emu suspension, along with a set of bronze 18-inch wheels shod in Michelin LTX Trail rubber. These all-terrain tires measure 265/70 and offer plenty of grip on just about any surface, while another key addition of the Trailhunter package is a locking rear differential. Skid plates also join the party to keep the vehicle’s underside out of harm’s way, and the electronics suite gains Multi-Terrain Select as well as Crawl Control. To clarify, the former adjusts things like throttle response and brake pressure automatically to maximize traction off the tarmac, while the latter functions as a low-speed cruise control for rock crawling.
Front recovery hooks finish off the whole affair, at least from what we know so far. Now, the Trailhunter and TRD Off-Road packages appear very similar on paper, but Toyota wants them to coexist while targeting different segments of the off-roading crowd. Pricing information has yet to be revealed, so we’ll have to wait for more details to emerge sometime this fall. That being said, let us now see what parallels can be drawn between the Sequoia Trailhunter and Land Cruiser, because the similarities are virtually impossible to ignore. By the looks of it, the Japanese automaker is trying to fill potential gaps in its lineup by offering something with the overlanding character of the Land Cruiser but scaled up in several ways.
A Philosophy Similar To The Land Cruiser
For starters, both models are expedition-focused and based on the same TNGA-F platform, with double wishbone suspension up front, an independent multi-link setup out back, and off-road-capable shocks all-round. Locking differentials are also available on both the Sequoia Trailhunter and the Land Cruiser, but the latter carries it centrally and paired with full-time four-wheel-drive (compared to the Sequoia’s part-time arrangement). Optionally, the Land Cruiser can also be bought with a rear differential for improved off-roading capability. The vehicles share functions like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select, as well, but they start to diverge when it comes to dimensions, towing capacity and powertrain.
Equipped with a smaller 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four hybrid, the more compact Land Cruiser only has 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque to play with. It can tow far less than the full-size Sequoia at approximately 6,000 pounds, and there’s room for up to five passengers inside. The Sequoia, by contrast, can carry a maximum of eight people thanks to its three-row seating, while also being far more suitable for towing, say, a camping trailer. Essentially, the two Toyotas are similar tools with considerable overlap, but the larger one expands the realm of possibilities further. Keep an eye out for more information on the 2027 Sequoia and Trailhunter Package in the near future.
Sources: Toyota,
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