DecodedCars2021 Toyota Sequoia
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD
- Engines
- 5.7L 8-cyl
- Horsepower
- 381 hp
- Transmission
- 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 7
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 15 combined · 13 city / 17 hwy
- Length
- 205.1 in
- Curb weight
- 5,968 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Strong performanceUp to 381 hp, versus about 291 hp for similar 2021 models.
- AWD / 4WD available
- Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
- Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
- Few owner complaints4 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 373 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 23% below the 2021 standard SUV average of 19.6 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Toyota Sequoia is a standard SUV offered with a 5.7L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 205 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,968 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (13 city / 17 highway), 23% worse than the 2021 standard SUV average of 19.6 MPG, for an estimated $4,450 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the suspension.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Sequoia — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Sequoia →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Princeton, Indiana
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2021 Sequoia configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD | 205.1 in | 79.9 in | 77.2 in | 122 in | 68.1 / 69.3 in | 5,968 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequoia 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -23% | $4,450 | 608 |
| Sequoia 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | -26% | $4,800 | 618 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota SEQUOIA SUV AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |
| 2021 Toyota SEQUOIA SUV 2WD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 18.5% |
Similar 2021 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota Sequoia (this car) | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Ford Explorer | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 27 |
| 2021 Kia Telluride | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2021 GMC Yukon | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 14 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe | 24 MPG | ★★★★★ | 16 |
| 2021 Ford Expedition | 19 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
Recalls (1)
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System · Nov 23, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V920000 · 22,462 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
- Risk
- An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
Not every 2021 Toyota Sequoia is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Toyota Sequoia buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Suspension — 1 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 1 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 33,236 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Sequoia. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Sequoia years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sequoia | 22 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 10 |
| 2025 Sequoia | 22 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2024 Sequoia | 22 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 38 |
| 2023 Sequoia | 22 | 208.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 39 |
| 2022 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 4 |
| 2019 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 7 |
| 2018 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 20 |
| 2017 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 7 |
| 2016 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2015 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2014 Sequoia | 15 | 205.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 15 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →