Exterior
The Toyota Sequoia SR5 looks as though someone asked Toyota to build a family SUV and then kept adding size until nobody had the courage to say stop. At 5286mm long and roughly two metres wide, this is a genuine full-size SUV.
The latest-generation design is much more modern than the old V8 Sequoia. The front end is broad and upright, the bonnet is tall, the shoulder line is substantial and the large body gives the vehicle serious road presence. The SR5 keeps the appearance relatively purposeful with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, roof rails and a large upright grille.
For Bangladesh, however, the dimensions deserve serious consideration. On the Dhaka–Chattogram highway, the Sequoia feels magnificent. It is stable, commanding and extremely comfortable. In a narrow Dhaka lane surrounded by buses, rickshaws and motorcycles, it becomes rather less magnificent.
The 218mm ground clearance is useful for speed breakers, uneven shoulders and broken roads. The high seating position also gives you a commanding view of surrounding traffic.
The SR5 does not have the visual excess of the Capstone, but that is arguably part of its appeal. It looks like a serious working SUV rather than a luxury palace.
It is large, expensive and slightly ridiculous.
Which is exactly why people want one.
Interior
Inside, the Sequoia finally justifies its enormous footprint. The cabin provides three rows and seating for up to eight people, with a second-row bench configuration. The first two rows have generous space, while the third row is substantially more useful than the tiny emergency seats found in many seven-seat crossovers.
The SR5 comes with heated front seats, three-zone automatic climate control, an adjustable digital instrument display and a practical cabin layout. The 12.3-inch digital meter is particularly useful because it can display vehicle information, fuel economy and driver-assistance information clearly.
The materials are good rather than extravagant. The SR5 uses fabric seating and does not attempt to compete with the leather-heavy Capstone. That keeps the vehicle focused on practicality.
There is also a huge amount of storage space. The sliding third row is one of the cleverest features because it allows you to balance passenger space against luggage capacity.
With all three rows occupied, the cargo area is still useful for everyday luggage, but a large family travelling long-distance will benefit from adjusting the third row forward or folding it when possible.
The driving position is excellent. You sit high, have a broad view of the road and get plenty of physical space around you.
The only problem is that the cabin reminds you just how much vehicle is outside.
Features
The SR5 is considerably better equipped than the phrase "base model" might suggest. Toyota gives it an 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, eight-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12.3-inch digital instrument display, Panoramic View Monitor and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5.
Three-zone automatic climate control is particularly useful in Bangladesh. Keeping eight people comfortable inside a large SUV during a humid Dhaka afternoon is not an optional luxury.
The heated front seats are another standard SR5 feature, while the Smart Key System and push-button start make everyday use simple.
The Panoramic View Monitor deserves special mention. When a vehicle is more than five metres long and roughly two metres wide, cameras stop being a gimmick and become a genuinely useful tool.
The 8-inch screen is perfectly functional, although it looks modest next to the 14-inch display available on higher grades. The SR5 also misses some of the luxury equipment found on Limited, Platinum and Capstone models.
For Bangladesh, the practical equipment is more important than the expensive toys. Strong air-conditioning, multiple USB connections, three-row climate control, parking assistance and smartphone integration make the Sequoia easy to live with.
The feature list is therefore strong where it matters, although the SR5 is deliberately less luxurious than the upper grades.
Safety
The Sequoia SR5 comes with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, giving it a considerably more sophisticated safety package than older Sequoia generations. Toyota's current system includes Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams and Road Sign Assist.
Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert add another important layer of protection, particularly useful when manoeuvring such a large vehicle.
The SR5 also has multiple airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, traction control, vehicle stability control, electronic brake-force management and tyre-pressure monitoring.
The Panoramic View Monitor is arguably one of the most valuable safety features for Bangladesh. Parking a Sequoia in a crowded Dhaka shopping centre without camera assistance would be rather like parking a small boat in a swimming pool.
The vehicle's size and weight also mean that responsible driving remains important. Electronic systems cannot make narrow roads wider or stop physics from doing its work.
The SR5's safety technology is one of its strongest advantages because it combines modern active assistance with the fundamental protection expected from a large family SUV.
For you, the biggest distinction is between this latest generation and older Sequoia models. The modern SR5 has a much more comprehensive driver-assistance package, making it substantially easier to manage in busy traffic.
Driving Experience
The Sequoia SR5 has no shortage of performance.
The 437-hp i-FORCE MAX hybrid produces 790 Nm of torque, and the electric motor's immediate response means this giant SUV does not feel remotely as heavy as its dimensions suggest. Toyota pairs it with a 10-speed automatic, giving the powertrain plenty of ratios to keep the engine in the right operating range.
The result is approximately 5.8–6.0 seconds from 0–100 km/h, depending on drivetrain and conditions. That is hilariously quick for an eight-seat family SUV.
But the real strength is effortless cruising. On Bangladesh highways, the Sequoia settles into a relaxed rhythm with plenty of reserve power for overtaking. The long wheelbase and substantial suspension give it a planted, comfortable character.
In Dhaka traffic, the story is more complicated. The hybrid system helps low-speed response, but the vehicle remains enormous. Turning into narrow streets requires planning, and parking requires cameras and concentration.
Fuel consumption is the unavoidable compromise. Even with hybrid assistance, a full-size 437-hp SUV is never going to behave like a Prius.
The RWD SR5 is the more economical configuration, while 4WD adds traction and a two-speed transfer case for more demanding surfaces. Toyota rates the RWD version at 22 mpg combined and the 4WD version at 20 mpg combined under US EPA testing.
EXPLORE THE RANGE
Variants
Sequoia range includes SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro and Capstone. The SR5 is the foundation of the range and already receives the 437-hp i-FORCE MAX powertrain, 10-speed automatic, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, 12.3-inch digital meter and Panoramic View Monitor.
The Limited moves toward luxury with leather-trimmed seating, a larger 14-inch multimedia display, heated and ventilated front seats and additional convenience equipment.
Platinum adds further luxury features, including premium lighting, panoramic roof equipment and upgraded audio. The 1794 Edition brings its own distinctive luxury-oriented styling and interior treatment.
TRD Pro is the specialist off-road version, with dedicated suspension, rugged wheels and additional trail equipment.
Capstone is the luxury flagship, adding premium leather, larger wheels and additional high-end equipment.
For Bangladesh, the SR5 is the most straightforward way into the current Sequoia range. It already delivers the enormous cabin, huge power output, modern safety technology and three-row practicality that define the model.
The biggest question is whether you need 4WD. If most of your driving consists of Dhaka roads and highways, RWD is adequate and slightly more economical. If you regularly travel over rough, muddy or slippery terrain, 4WD gives you additional capability.
The Sequoia SR5 therefore sits in an unusual position: it is the entry grade, but there is nothing remotely entry-level about its powertrain or physical presence.
