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Because the above picture will attest, Autoblog’s Advanced Institute for Luggage Testing has moved, pricey readers. Not will I would like to fret about taking pictures within the rain or worrying about my frozen fingers being smashed by baggage through the winter in Portland. As a substitute, I am going to want to fret about blazing warmth at 8:30 within the morning or catching on fireplace, as we have relocated to Southern California. This is not the everlasting spot (the brand new home, I imply Institute, is being renovated), however don’t fret, I made certain that the trusty assortment of baggage stayed with me. Priorities, eh?
Anyway, let’s speak in regards to the 2023 Toyota Sequoia, as a result of it certain is an fascinating check case. All-new for the primary time since George W. Bush was president, the Sequoia’s cargo state of affairs is actually distinctive, and never essentially in a great way. The specs say there’s between 11.5 and 22.3 cubic-feet of area behind the raised third row. What’s up with the vary slightly than a single quantity? The Sequoia uniquely has a sliding third-row seat, which is a commendable function in idea. Hassle is, you need to slide all of it the best way ahead to attain that most 22.3 quantity. It’s a must to do no such factor within the Sequoia’s American rivals to attain comparable on-paper cargo volumes: Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon (25.5), Ford Expedition (19.3) and Jeep Wagoneer (27.4). The Sequoia’s minimal quantity, 11.5 cubic-feet, would theoretically be worse than a Kia Sorento, which might be pathetic.
Alas, the Superior Institute for Baggage Testing exists for a purpose: Numbers do not actually inform the entire story. And barely has that been extra true than with the 2023 Toyota Sequoia.
That is what you are working with when the third row is slid all the best way again. You will want to do that to attain respectable, adult-OK legroom within the third-row. All the above American rivals nonetheless have extra room, although, together with way more headroom.
Above is the vary of movement for the sliding third-row seat. Remember the fact that the second-row captain’s chairs don’t slide, that means you’ll be able to’t transfer them as much as counter the misplaced third-row legroom.
I set the third row to a distance the place a small-to-average-sized individual might comfortably sit there. You’ll be able to see the distinction above between that distance in addition to the utmost rearward place. I examined with each seats at this center distance in addition to with the seats absolutely rearward.
Now, much more housekeeping, as a result of once more, this factor is bizarre. There’s a detachable flooring that may be positioned at 4 ranges: backside, decrease, center and higher.
There are additionally three movable plastic dividers that slot into the, um, basement, to safe groceries and such. It is a good function, truly.
To maximise area, I removed them, although. I additionally ejected the ground to release just a few valuable centimeters of area I knew I might want. All the following baggage testing was completed with out this flooring in place on the backside. The luggage sat on the plastic basement.
As in every luggage test I do, I take advantage of two midsize curler suitcases that will should be checked in on the airport (26 inches lengthy, 16 extensive, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that simply barely match within the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that matches simply (23L x 15W x 10D). I additionally embody my spouse’s fancy in a single day bag simply to spruce issues up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).
That is with the third row at its rearmost and the reclining seatback at an upright-yet-still-comfortable angle.
Cannot say I’ve give you this Tetris formation earlier than. This is able to be the three greatest baggage, which is a helluva lot higher than a Kia Sorento and quite a lot of different three-row crossovers. The Sequoia’s tall, boxy form is the explanation right here, because it counteracts the cargo space’s minimal size by permitting the baggage to face up.
Nevertheless! We aren’t evaluating a Toyota Sequoia to a Kia Sorento.
Chevy Tahoe: All baggage however the smallest fancy bag.
Ford Expedition: All baggage however the largest check-in bag.
Jeep Wagoneer: All the baggage
Now, right here is the Sequoia with the third row scooted up as beforehand mentioned. This is able to be the 4 greatest baggage with the small curler and fancy bag left behind. That is comparable to a couple larger crossovers, however once more, it depends upon the Sequoia’s tall peak to make up for the shortage of size … and subsequently this bizarre lateral stacking association.
Regardless of how excessive this association is, there is not any problem seeing out the again. After all, this Tundra Capstone had the rearview digital camera mirror, which is nice function for this very purpose.
Now, again to the baggage. You would definitely slide the third row all the best way ahead, however then I am unsure who might slot in it for very lengthy. Or, maybe, slide one facet ahead, slide one again, put one up, put one down … I do not know, there are positively prospects. The third-row’s versatility will not be in query. It is only a disgrace that it is successfully a workaround for an uncompetitive quantity of ordinary area.
This isn’t the tip of the story, nonetheless. A part of the issue whereas loading is the everlasting “stage” that the third-row sits upon. It impedes loading baggage behind the third row when it is slid ahead to any diploma because it creates a bizarre double-tiered area. True, I might put the ground again inside on the identical degree because the stage, however then I might be lowering total peak, which might subsequently cut back the quantity of baggage potential.
Additionally …
The third row doesn’t fold flat into the ground as within the Expedition, Wagoneer and, since its full redesign, the Tahoe/Yukon. The Sequoia’s simply sits atop that stage.
And observe: The third-row seats will not be detachable, as a result of Toyota says it wished to keep up safety for what’s under: the hybrid battery pack.
Above left, you’ll be able to see what that appears like with baggage.
Above proper is with the ground in place to bridge the hole between the folded seatbacks and liftgate, thereby making a contiguous flooring with some storage beneath.
That area beneath is sufficient to match a squished fancy bag. The smallest curler wouldn’t match.
Transferring on. Just like the Expedition and Tahoe, the Sequoia has a pop-up window in its liftgate. That is positively not a nasty factor, however sadly, it means the Sequoia has misplaced the 4Runner-style energy roll-down window it had for its first two generations (pictured under). You would drive round with it rolled down, which is nice. This? Not advisable.
It also needs to be famous that the last-generation Sequoia didn’t have the third-row stage as a result of it positively was not a hybrid. It certain appears like there was extra size behind the third row, too.
So yeah, whereas Toyota definitely went to nice lengths to engineer intelligent workarounds, they’re nonetheless workarounds. The brand new Sequoia has much less cargo area than its predecessor, and much much less area than its rivals. Add in its smaller passenger lodging and you’ve got a full-size SUV that when it comes to inside packaging, simply is not aggressive.
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