Toyota has left a few marks in the automotive industry throughout its history. Amongst the numerous models making these history books, the Toyota Sequoia has definitely been one of their timeless pieces. In fact, it’s considered timeless mainly because it never changes.

The Sequoia has seen one major redesign since its introduction in 2001 (three if you add the refresh in 2005 and 2018). The 5.7-liter V8 powering the Sequoia has become a fan-favorite, with out-of-this-world reliability and enough capability for any task at hand. Combine the engine with the fact that the Sequoia shares almost everything with the Tundra, one of America’s best-selling and most-dear trucks, and you have an iconic vehicle.

For the fans of this beastly-machine, however, the time has come. The 2022 Sequoia will officially be Toyota’s last V8-powered SUV/truck ever. Although the change isn’t a bad thing given what’s coming, if you’re a fan of the V8 and have been a Sequoia fan since the start, this is your last chance – buy it now or forever hold your peace. Here’s what we think of the 2022 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro.

Toyota Sequoia Through The Years

If you get in a first-generation followed by a second-generation Toyota Sequoia, the similarities will amaze you. In fact, it’s amazing that there are only two generations in a span of 21 years. From a car’s enthusiast’s perspective, however, this is a dream come true. Imagine getting the same feeling you’d get in a split-window VW Bug that you would in a new Beetle? The same is true about the Land Rover Defender, the 4Runner, the Supra, the Land Cruiser, and many more legendary vehicles. The Sequoia made it possible. Not too many automakers can get away with minimal changes in a period that spans this long, but the Sequoia makes it work.

Toyota was able to add all the safety features needed with extra bells and whistles to allow the Sequoia to evolve, and continue to raise the ceiling on its capabilities all without losing the experience this giant SUV once offered in 2001. Unfortunately, and fortunately, Toyota just announced that the Sequoia will follow the Tundra’s footsteps (shocking) and the third-generation Sequoia will have the V6 twin-turbo hybrid engine.

This means two things: the 2022 Toyota Sequoia is your last chance to buy a V8 Toyota, and it also means the third-generation Sequoia will be completely different. The question is: should you invest in buying the last-ever V8 Sequoia, or should you wait and buy the better and badder 2023 Sequoia? We have a few thoughts on that.

2022 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro Specs

The 2022 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro features the same i-Force 5.7-liter V8 engine with dual independent variable valve timing we all grew to love and enjoy. The large-displacement engine works collaboratively with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The transmission has a few modes such as uphill/downhill shift and tow/haul modes. The all-aluminum engine delivers a peak 381 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 401 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 RPM. The engine and transmission combination allows the Sequoia to tow up to 7,100-pounds.

While an adaptive suspension is available on the Platinum model, the TRD Pro gets the Fox high-performance shocks. These shocks come with remote reservoirs and TRD-tuned springs. Not only do these shocks increase stiffness when towing, off-roading is what they’re designed for. Once you start playing with the multi-mode 4WD system, you can tackle the toughest of terrains with these shocks. For additional traction, the Sequoia comes with a locking-LSD (Limited Slip Differential). As the last V8 that will ever come out of Toyota, we wanted to give it a farewell off the road and push its limit quite a bit.

TRD Pro Interior And Technology

Despite its lack of change over the years, the TRD Pro gives the Sequoia an incredibly impressive interior. The black leather-trimmed seats with the red stitching and TRD Pro logos all around give this cabin a very high-end look and feel. We spent a few hours off-roading and the seats remained comfortable throughout. The dashboard, switches and buttons, and overall feel remain unchanged. In fact, I owned a first-generation Sequoia and a second-generation Tundra, and the 2022 Sequoia’s interior is just about the same. A small 7-inch screen in the center is the control center of the infotainment system. The system works extremely well, but it’s outdated and angles away from the driver, making the pilot feel like an outsider. The extra-large dashboard completely loses the little screen, it’s simply disproportionate. Behind the driver and the passenger are two captain chairs with armrests, followed by a third-row bench seat. The last row folds with a press of a button to create real cargo space. Like the old models, cup holders and auxiliary power outlets fill the cabin. All in all, you can never get sick of the classic Sequoia interior. You will never run out of room, you will always feel powerful, and you will always be comfortable.

TRD Pro Exterior And Accents

Our press SUV came with the beautiful Lunar Rock color, an exclusive paint color to the TRD Pro trim. It’s no secret Toyota has been having too much fun with their paint colors, but this one is truly special and not so flashy. On the front, the TRD Pro’s black grille contrasts beautifully with the paint color. The entire body doesn’t have one ounce of chrome. The black accents continue throughout the vehicle, with the aggressive roof rack, textured sidestep, “TRD Pro” emblems, black Toyota emblem in the rear, and the 18-inch BBS TRD wheels. The wheels are extremely aggressive-looking, well-designed, and give plenty of room for larger tires. The Rigid Industries LED fog lights complement the LED headlights, allowing for a custom off-road feel and function.

Finally, pull up on a steep hill, and you will see the TRD skid plate. This is a 1/4-inch-thick aluminum skid plate. Not only is it a great touch when you see it, it also shows you how serious the Sequoia TRD Pro is about its off-roading. Despite the lack of evolution in the exterior, it all makes it more appealing when you know this will be the last time you see the Sequoia in this outfit.

2022 Toyota Sequoia First Drive

There is nothing like getting behind the wheel of a Toyota Sequoia. If you haven’t done it, you simply must. The Sequoia offers a truly powerful driving experience. The ride height gives you incredible visibility, while the 18-inch wheels wrapped in 275/65 R18 tires offer great ride quality and comfort.

On paved-roads, the 2022 Toyota Sequoia still rides like a pickup truck. The body-on-frame construction can’t help you here with a near 6,000-pound curb weight. You just can’t go carving up any corners. However, the TRD-tuned Fox suspension help reduce body roll without completely sacrificing the ride quality. The internal bypass shocks allow the shock’s fluid to bypass the piston through the regulated ports as it travels. This makes for a soft ride during normal driving.

When you drive over rougher terrains, the damping gets stiffer through the piston’s stroke to prevent bottoming, making it an extremely well-rounded system. As for acceleration, the Sequoia still delivers that raw V8 power, with great low-end torque response peaking at just 3,600 RPM. On our week drive of mixed highway and street driving, we couldn’t get any better fuel economy than 13 mpg. All in all, the Sequoia is truly a timeless SUV. It was time to take it off the road and see what this 6,000-pound monster can do.

TRD Pro Off-Road Test

Taking a larger-than-life SUV with three-row seating off-roading is no easy feat on paper, but the 2022 Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro does it with ease. The Sequoia is absolutely capable of tackling the toughest of terrains.We’ve tried a good mixture of terrains, from flat dirt to hill-climbs, and whatever nature threw at us, and the locking limited slip differential provided spectacular traction through it all.

Getting into 4WD mode is an easy turn of a knob. Once in 4WD, we never felt like we could get stuck anywhere. Despite its large size, the Sequoia didn’t feel like a huge car in small off-road terrains. The independent rear suspension allows it to go quicker in rough terrains, while the Fox shocks keep it confident and steady. In addition to the suspension, the Sequoia has a body-on-frame construction. This makes increases its stability and gives it a solid foundation and feel. Of the road, the Toyota Sequoia TRD Pro excelled.

The Bottom Line On The V8 Toyota SUV

There aren’t too many experiences like driving a Toyota Sequoia. This giant SUV has a purely raw driving experience. The driving position, the ride height, the TRD Pro accents are all designed specifically for the enthusiast. The ride is extremely pleasureful and comfortable on the road, and you always have the opportunity for an adventure, whether you need space for a road trip, or capabilities for off-the-grid adventures.

While fuel economy will absolutely frustrate you, especially when watching the fuel gauge drop as fast as your RPM, it’s nothing new. If you like the Toyota Sequoia, you already expect to have poor fuel economy. This is one of the last great V8 SUVs on the market. There isn’t an SUV on the market today with an engine that has proven its reliability for years and years.

With the nostalgic feelings of driving a Sequoia, you will still get the latest safety features, the latest technology, and maintain competitive capabilities with the best SUVs on the market. There is only one question left: should you buy the 2022 Toyota Sequoia or wait for the 2023 model?

Should You Buy The 2022 Sequoia?

Life throws tough decisions at us all the time. Should you sell your stocks now, or wait? Should you buy a home now, or hope for interest rates to drop? Should you buy the 2022 Toyota Sequoia, or wait for the 2023 model? The 2022 Toyota Sequoia is probably the last “classic” car you can buy from Toyota. After all, this SUV gives you the same feelings you got over 20 years ago.

Will the 2023 Toyota Sequoia be better? The best answer to this question is: absolutely! The V6 twin-turbo engine that will be under the hood of the 2023 hybrid Sequoia model will deliver more power, more torque, better response, better sounds, and an overall better experience.

However, if you’re a true fan of big-displacement V8s, and Toyota’s to be specific, this is your last chance; the Sequoia will never be like this again. Older Toyota Sequoias are becoming harder and more expensive to find, and if you want a brand-new V8 that will outlast you, this is literally your last chance.

A starting price tag of $64,625 is no easy pill to swallow. With today’s markups, you are looking at thousands of dollars more. Is the Toyota Sequoia worth the money? Truthfully, it could be. When the Corvette released a much better version in the C8, the C7 manual transmission Corvettes went up in value. The market wants what they can’t have, and in a few months, the market will not have a brand-new V8 Sequoia anymore.

Sometimes we measure car values by features and parts, and other times it’s measured by emotions. To make it easier on you, we decided to review the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. This new Tundra will basically be a quick look into the Sequoia’s future. So, stay tuned for next week’s review of the new V6 twin-turbo hybrid review and find out why Toyota is saying their goodbyes to the iconic V8, and whether we think the twin-turbo V6 is the rightful successor to Toyota’s V8.