2026 Toyota Sequoia Capstone First Test: Marginally Improved, Looks Better Inside
Key takeaways
- The Capstone’s updated interior is the primary talking point.
- At the time, it had just switched to its third generation and ditched its Jurassic-era V-8 for a modernized V-6 hybrid.
- As far as the pure numbers go, the 2026 Sequoia Capstone performed about the same as it did back in 2023, which shouldn’t be surprising given it isn’t a materially different vehicle.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The Capstone’s updated interior is the primary talking point.
Pros Better Capstone interior colorway Improved brake feel Towing capacity Cons Still some interior quality issues Meh engine sound Drives as big as it looks It’s been about three years since we last tested a Capstone edition of the Toyota Sequoia. At the time, it had just switched to its third generation and ditched its Jurassic-era V-8 for a modernized V-6 hybrid. With that change came vastly improved towing capacity, better fuel economy, and an easier-to-access third row. It wasn’t all perfect, though, and the Capstone’s interior didn’t match the nearly $80,000 asking price. Has Toyota fixed any of these issues with the latest Sequoia Capstone, or is it continuing to lumber on largely unchanged?
As far as the pure numbers go, the 2026 Sequoia Capstone performed about the same as it did back in 2023, which shouldn’t be surprising given it isn’t a materially different vehicle. We will say the brakes felt much better than the last time we tested it, with less mushiness than before. The numbers bear that out, with a 5-foot improvement in 60-to-0-mph stopping. It also accelerates smoothly to 60 mph with barely a fuss in 5.7 seconds, one tick slower than before. Although the 3.4-liter V-6 hybrid under the hood doesn’t deliver the same aural enjoyment as that of the Sequioa’s old V-8 when you’re hustling it, it returns better fuel economy than your typical large SUV.