Introduced for the 2001 model year, this full-size SUV marked Toyota’s entry into the American large-SUV market and took its name from the giant sequoia redwood trees of California. It was developed as a truck-based, family-oriented utility vehicle with a strong emphasis on durability, towing capability, and three-row practicality. The original generation established the formula that would define the nameplate: body-on-frame construction, generous interior space, and a position above Toyota’s midsize SUV offerings.
A major redesign arrived for the 2008 model year, giving the vehicle a larger, more refined second generation that carried the nameplate through 2022. That era kept the model squarely in the full-size SUV segment while steadily updating its comfort, safety, and technology. Toyota also expanded the model’s character with off-road-oriented variants later in the run, reflecting the broader shift toward more adventurous SUV use.
For 2023, Toyota launched a fully new third generation and moved the nameplate into a modern hybrid era. The latest version retained its family-hauling and truck-based mission but brought a more contemporary mechanical package and a more upscale, feature-rich presentation. The nameplate remains in production today as one of Toyota’s flagship SUVs in North America.