2013 Toyota Sequoia - Styling Review

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Take even a brief look at the 2013 Toyota Sequoia, and you'll know what it is: a full-size SUV, and a brawny truck. It's about as big as they come, and not for the fainthearted.

The testosterone-tinged look of the Sequoia may appear somewhat cartoonishly musclebound for some, though it beats the almost anonymous styling of most minivans, and has a high, serious-truck look from the front that no crossover can rival. The imposing chrome grille, tall hood, and high beltline add to the impression of size and bulk, while flared fenders, chunky door handles, chromed mirrors, and rippled sheetmetal all contribute to the muscle-bound madness. Rear doors are quite long, and they open wide for ingress and egress, as well as to get child seats in a little more easily.

Countering the impression--only a little bit--is that the Sequoia's sheetmetal details and trim have just a touch of softness. Compared with competitors like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, or Nissan Armada in terms of styling, it's understandably one of the most aerodynamic, with a drag coefficient of 0.36.

Cabin appointments, predictably, feel like those of a high-end full-size pickup from the front seats. The design and some of the materials are carried right over from the Tundra pickup, with matte-metallic plastic trim flowing down from the gauge area and covering part of the center console. Some may find that center-dash treatment a little overstyled, but otherwise the chunky design, with simple large controls and displays, is very functional without looking too plain.