The giant redwood Sequoia trees on the US west coast can live for thousands of years, and it seems like the second-generation Toyota Sequoia has been around for almost as long.
The second-generation Sequoia was, like the Tundra pickup it’s based on, launched in 2007. The big SUV has remained in production since then, albeit with a significant facelift in 2017.
With the third-generation Tundra now rolling off the production line, Toyota is almost ready to reveal its three-row SUV sibling.
Judging from teaser image revealed overnight, the new Sequoia will feature sharp creases and cut lines. It will also likely sport an attention-grabbing grille and headlights.
Other concrete details, including the launch date, have yet to be revealed, although the company did hide a little Easter egg in the image stating “the forest, and its trees, almost in view”.
Both the Tundra and Sequoia share the GA-F body-on-frame architecture with the 300 Series LandCruiser. This means the V8 engines that graced earlier models won’t be returning.
The Tundra and LandCruiser are both available with a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 making 650Nm, and between 290kW and 305kW. The six-pot is hooked up to a 10-speed automatic transmission.
For the Tundra there’s also a new hybrid option featuring the same 3.4-litre engine. Unusually for Toyota, the Tundra’s hybrid system doesn’t use an e-CVT setup, but instead features an electric motor built into the 10-speed auto.
This means the company is able to quote both power and torque figures for this drivetrain: 326kW and 790Nm, if you’re curious. It’s widely expected a version of this drivetrain will be slotted into the LandCruiser in the near future.
It should also find its way into the Sequoia range, giving Toyota’s large SUV a point of difference to the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Jeep Grand Wagoneer, all of which share pickup truck roots, but lack a hybrid option.
While the new Sequoia and Tundra are likely to have different dashboard designs, the Sequoia should be available with the same 8.0- and 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment options.
It’s unclear how big the new Sequoia will be, but the outgoing model was 5.2m long and rode on a 3.1m wheelbase. It almost makes the LandCruiser look dainty in comparison.
Designed and made in America, both the Sequoia and Tundra have so far been left-hand drive only propositions so far.