2023 Toyota Sequoia Platinum | How Carseats Fit In This Model
I know I say I’m excited about every car tour (and I am!) but when there a completely redesigned model of a car as popular as the Toyota Sequoia - you know that I’m pumped to give it a try and see if it stands up to other SUVs I’ve tested this year. I've had the opportunity to drive this completely redesigned SUV for a little over a week, and I'm ready to discuss its family-friendly features…and where it falls short. While there are plenty of Toyota Sequoia reviews out there, I'll be focusing on the aspects that matter most to moms and their families. So, let's dive in and find out if the 2023 Toyota Sequoia lives up to its reputation as a family-friendly full-size SUV!
By the end of this post, you’ll have a solid understanding of everything the 2023 Kia Seltos SX has to offer and if it’s the best choice for your next family vehicle.
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2023 Toyota Sequoia Exterior
The exterior of the 2023 Toyota Sequoia is stunning. With its muscular and demanding presence, it stands out among other SUVs. The redesigned look is a welcome departure from the "boxy" design of its predecessor.
The 20-inch wheels and attractive curves give it a stylish and modern appearance. It's worth noting that the Sequoia now offers a hybrid powertrain option, promising improved fuel economy. However, during my test drive, I didn't achieve the advertised 22 MPG on the highway, averaging around 19.5 MPG.
Toyota Sequoia Exterior Interior Features:
Large Infotainment System
Moving on to the interior, the Toyota Sequoia offers a spacious and comfortable cabin. The Platinum trim, in particular, comes loaded with features that enhance the driving experience. From the large infotainment screen to the heads-up display, the interior feels modern and luxurious.
The user-friendly infotainment system and easy-to-use physical buttons are a welcome touch. It’s so easy to use and I’m a huge fan!
Great Interior Storage
Toyota has paid attention to the storage options in the Sequoia. The door panel features cup holders and side cubbies for smaller items.
The center console provides ample space for storage, including deep cup holders and a wireless charger. In the center console, you’ll find both USB and UBC charging ports.
I appreciate having four cup holders within reach, as it caters to the needs of families with multiple beverages!
The Rear View Camera Is Impressive
We all know about the standard rear view mirror, but in the 2023 Sequoia, the rear view camera goes above and beyond. When you have passengers in the 3rd row of any car, it can affect your visibility pretty significantly and there isn’t a great solution for that- until now!
The Sequoia has. a built-in camera that will give you an unobstructed view despite having passengers in the third row. I’m a huge fan of this safety feautre. We love to see it!
Fancy Features I LOVE in this car:
The seats are very comfortable
Wireless chargers are always a plus
Heated seats and ventilated seats?! Yes please.
Let’s Talk About The Sequoia’s Second Row
So, how well are your kids actually going to fit back there?! This is a full-size SUV so it has aspacious second row and a really spacious third row as you would expect for a car this size. I’m 6 feet tall and I was very comfortable in the second row!
In the second row you’ll find:
Heated seats and ventilated seats?! Yes please.
Charing ports
Dual air vents on the ceiling and closer to the floor
Built in sun shades
And yes, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia has both a bench seat AND a captain chair option. I haven’t yet been able to find a bench seat model.
Something to note: The second row seats are NOT on tracks. Therefore, you cannot slide them forward to give the 3rd row more room.
Car Seat Setup - Where The Sequoia Falls Short
The Sequoia falls short in terms of car seat setup, especially for families with three or more children requiring car seats. Simply put, if you have three or more kids in car seats - this is not the car for you. And here’s why!
While the second-row captain's chairs offer two sets of lower anchors and two tether anchors, the third-row only has one tether anchor in the middle seat. Placing a car seat in the middle seat of the 3rd row GREATLY affects visibility and that is a miss for me. Safety has to come first and this setup is not my favorite.
With a car seat installed in that middle seat, it doesn’t give the other seats in the 3rd row enough room for additional passengers, essentially making the 3rd row only accessible to one person - the infant in the car seat.
Toyota missed an opportunity by not providing tether anchors on the outer seats!
Third Row Access
We love the good ol’ fold and flip! It works great! It even has steps up to the car which would be great for kids. The only down side to fold and flip 3rd row access is that you do have to pull the seat back down and click it into place.
The second row has cup holders which is really nice, but they may obstruct access to the third row because you have to step over them. It can be inconvenient for passengers trying to navigate their way to the back. Try it out when you test drive!
All About That Third Row
The third-row seats in the Sequoia offer adequate legroom, comparable to other SUVs in its class. I’m 6’ tall and I was comfortable for a 3rd row seat.
The seats can recline slightly for added comfort, and passengers in the back have their own cup holders, sun shades, and ceiling vents which is always a plus! The third row can be moved up to give more access to the trunk.
We NEED to Talk About The Trunk
The trunk is SO tiny! I was pretty shocked at how small it was for a family car. Yes, you can move the 3rd row up to give more room in the trunk, but it essentially makes the 3rd row unusable because it eliminates almost all of their leg room. It would be a very uncomfortable ride for the passenger with the 3rd seat moved up all the way.
This model uses the shelf system which I didn’t hate using this week, but overall, the size of the trunk was a bummer.
To put the 3rd row down, you’ll press a button on the side of the trunk and the seats lay down automatically. I love that feature for a car at this price point.
2023 Toyota Sequoia - What Is It Missing?
In conclusion, the 2023 Toyota Sequoia impresses with its redesigned exterior, spacious interior, and comfortable driving experience. It offers many family-friendly features, including ample storage, a user-friendly infotainment system, and a luxurious cabin.
However, the car seat setup and limited adjustability of the second-row seats hinders its family-friendliness. While the Sequoia's third-row space is decent, it falls short in providing adequate tether anchors to make this a truly a great mom car.
I know people love this model (and the fact that it has a hybrid option) but I feel like for the price and the size, I was expecting to see more.
If you’re interested in the 2023 Toyota Sequoia here are a few others I would consider as well.
