In April 2011, country singer Rodney Atkins released a song called “Take a Back Road.” The song is about feeling the need to gather those you hold dear (or go by yourself) and escape the hustle and bustle of city life by taking a back road and exploring nature. In order to do that properly, you’ll need a vehicle that can hold your family with all their belongings, handle the trails, and possibly tow a trailer. The new 2027 Toyota Sequoia might be just what the doctor ordered for your escapism.
The latest iteration of Toyota’s three-row SUV is powered by an i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain. Its twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 has been paired with a specially designed motor generator that results in 437 combined horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque.
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Built atop SR5 trim, the newly announced Trailhunter package is designed to conquer rough terrain directly off the assembly line partially thanks to its factory-upgraded Old Man Emu suspension, an underbody skid plate, and front recovery hooks. Toyota also ensured that the Trailhunter is infused with technology such as Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select that partner with a locking rear differential to handle tougher trails.
In case that package doesn’t fit your fancy, Toyota also has announced an upgrade for the Sequoia’s TRD Pro package. The TRD Pro grade now includes newly designed Sequoia-specific FOX® enhanced QS3 adjustable shocks that allow you to adjust the damping mechanism for terrain-specific performance. For example, if you are looking to tear through the desert at high speed, you might want to lower the damping setting so the piston inside each shock moves easier with limited resistance. The TRD Pro also includes a heritage grille, rugged exterior features, red tow hooks, and a new trim-specific color called Honeycomb.
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Sure, the towing capacity for the 2027 Toyota Sequoia is rated at an impressive 9,520 pounds, but the real headline grabber is the new Trailer Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (TADAS) that are a part of the latest Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 technology suite.
TADAS includes your average blind spot monitor and lane trace assist common with many newer trucks and SUVS, but it also includes an improved Trailer Backup guide that can help guide a trailer’s path, detect and warn against jackknifing, and provide semi-automated steering support. This sounds safer than the old-fashioned way of sticking your foot on the pedal rest and contorting yourself outside the driver’s window to watch the back of the trailer. Anyone else do that? No? Just me? Okay.
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Also included in TADAS is Automated Trailer Detection that combines radar detection and the rear camera to measure the physical characteristics of the trailer and input them into your vehicle’s memory banks or, as Toyota calls it, Trailer Garage. This program isn’t new but the detection system has been upgraded and the display has been moved from the instrument cluster to larger multimedia system for greater visibility.
If by chance you’re not the off-roading type but you still like the look of the Sequoia, Toyota offers the Limited, Platinum, 1794, and Capstone trim levels that focus more on providing luxurious amenities rather than off-road and overlanding performance.
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One other thing worth noting is the new Advanced Rear Seat Reminder — this system utilizes a headliner-concealed millimeter-wave radar to detect movement in the second and third rows after the vehicle has been turned off and the driver exits. If it senses movement, the alarm will sound, the hazard lights will come on and, if you have Toyota’s Safety Connect program, it can even send a text message or app notification to your phone.
If you’re already fantasizing about taking a backroad with you and seven of your family members (or seven other people you actually like), then save up your marbles because the 2027 Toyota Sequoia will be available at dealerships in fall of 2026 with a starting MSRP of $69,900.
