Holli Squealed, but the 2027 Toyota Sequoia Trailhunter Made Easy Work of the Obstacle Course
At the Texas Auto Writers Association’s Texas Truck Rodeo, Holli and I spend the day doing what we like to call speed dating: a quick drive in one new vehicle, then on to the next. Like the 2027 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and the 2027 Kia Telluride X-Pro, one of this year’s more interesting dates was the 2027 Toyota Sequoia Trailhunter. Ours was a pre-production Sequoia SR5 wearing Toyota’s new Trailhunter package, and it may be the most affordable way to get an off-road-ready, three-row Sequoia from the factory. It also made easy work of a course Holli has no plans to ride again.
A Trailhunter Package, Not a Trailhunter Grade
On the Tacoma and 4Runner, Trailhunter is its own grade. On the Sequoia, however, it is a package added to the SR5. That distinction is what keeps the price down.
The package adds Michelin LTX Trail 265/70R18 tires, an Old Man Emu suspension, front recovery hooks, and extra underbody protection. It also brings Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and a locking rear differential. On top of that, bronze wheels and exclusive badges help it stand apart, and our tester also wore rocker protection that gives it a rugged look to match the hardware.
Cameras That Earn Their Keep
Toyota gives the Sequoia a 14-inch screen, and the Trailhunter makes good use of all of it. Off road, I had side views of both front tires, a forward view over the hood, and green guide lines that show exactly where the steering wheel is pointed. Pitch and roll readouts sit just below.
That forward camera matters most on a hill climb, where all you can see through the windshield is sky. With it, I knew exactly where the tires were going. As a result, the Sequoia simply walked right up.
Mud, Hills, and a Nervous Co-Pilot
Whoever drove it before us left it in 4Lo, so I did the same, although 4Hi probably would have handled most of the course. Through the articulation section, traction stayed at all four wheels. One stretch leaned noticeably more than the rest, and that is where the pitch and roll display and a little seat-of-the-pants feel help you sense how close you are to the limits.
From there, it was through the mud and up a slick climb with a stick poking out from the front end. The Sequoia just climbed right out. Crawl Control and several drive modes are available, but I did everything here myself in 4Lo, working the brake, throttle, and steering. Even so, the Trailhunter made easy work of it. Holli, meanwhile, made her usual squealing noises from the passenger seat.
Keep in mind this was a pre-production unit. Toyota was confident enough to hand it over for review and competition, and it was already this polished. That says a lot about the company’s research and development team.
Cloth Seats Worth Bragging About
The SR5 is essentially the Sequoia’s base grade, and in this case that is a good thing. Holli says the cloth seats feel like a La-Z-Boy, and I agree. We have moved away from cloth in plenty of vehicles, but these are big, comfortable, and feel durable. That alone could be a selling point over the leather and synthetic leather in pricier trims.
In addition, you get real physical buttons on the dash, and second-row passengers get air vents in the center console along with cup holders.
What Will the Sequoia Trailhunter Cost?
Our tester did not have a window sticker yet, so I asked Holli to guess what an SR5 with the Trailhunter package costs. She said $67k. We were told it lands closer to $73k. Toyota has not announced official 2027 Sequoia pricing, so treat that as a ballpark for now.
Every Sequoia uses the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, which pairs a twin-turbocharged V6 with an electric motor. In the 2026 Sequoia, it makes 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. There is plenty of power on tap, but it still drinks fuel. The Trailhunter we drove is rated at 21 MPG city, 24 MPG highway, and 22 MPG combined.
A Detour Onto the Rally Course
The Texas Truck Rodeo is held at Eagles Canyon Raceway, and the team that builds the off-road courses there told me the Sequoia is their favorite work vehicle. After taking the Trailhunter for a few laps of their rally course, I started to understand why.
In 2Hi, there is enough torque from the hybrid powertrain to step the rear end out a little through the corners, and the Old Man Emu suspension soaked up the bumps. I left traction control on for Holli’s sake. It cut power a few times and took away a little of the fun, but the power delivery stayed predictable. Holli, for the record, has declared the rally course one and done.
Final Thoughts
This was only a speed date, so I will save the full verdict for later. Toyota has told me I will get more time in the Sequoia, and I will be at an event later this year testing it further. For now, the 2027 Toyota Sequoia Trailhunter looks like a smart way to get a big, comfortable, three-row SUV that is ready for the trail without jumping to the top of the lineup.
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