is a great SUV option when it comes to getting off the beaten path and tackling some rough terrain. In addition to excelling off-road, the Sequoia also has the ability to tow heavy trailers, making it a dream car for any adventurous driver.

For the adventurous driver, a vehicle that can easily tackle the ups and downs of the off-road trail is an absolute must. But how can you tell whether or not your rugged-looking SUV is all style and no substance?

We’ll cover everything from the Sequoia’s key specs like ground clearance and torque, as well as considering some viable off-roading SUV alternatives.

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Can the 2021 Toyota Sequoia go off road?

Yes—while some rugged-looking SUVs don’t have the chops to back up their appearance, the Sequoia definitely does. While the 2021 Toyota Sequoia isn’t able to escape all the disadvantages of being a large SUV, it’s able to perform relatively well off-road.

With a base MSRP of $50,500, the 2021 Toyota Sequoia combines a powerful 5.7-liter 381-horsepower V-8 engine with a standard Wishbone suspension to excel on and off-road.

But what exactly makes the 2021 Toyota Sequoia a great off-road vehicle? And what are its pitfalls? We’ll take a closer look at the key specs that contribute to the Sequoia’s off-road capabilities, including ground clearance, torque, drivetrain, tires, and approach and departure angles.

Ground clearance

Ground clearance is easily one of the most important specs to keep your eye on when considering a vehicle for off-roading. The 2021 Toyota Sequoia boasts a minimum ground clearance of 9.1 inches, but can go up to 9.9 inches on higher trims, making it suitable for off-roading.

As a rule, you shouldn’t attempt to go off-road in a vehicle with a ground clearance spec that doesn’t fall between 8.8 and 10.8 inches. A higher ground clearance spec means that you’ll be able to tackle the trail without having to worry about damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage. The Toyota Sequoia is able to keep up with amazing off-roading vehicles like the 2021

Jeep Wrangler’s

9.7 inches of minimum clearance, and even outperform it at certain trim levels.

Torque

Great off-road vehicles have something known as low-end torque. This means that they will have a high torque output at a lower rpm. Having a high torque output is vital for off-roading, where power is far more important than speed.

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia’s 5.7-liter V-8 engine boasts a maximum torque output of 401 lb-ft @ 3,600 RPM. That’s plenty of power and a relatively low rpm—the perfect example of low-end torque!

Tires

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia comes standard with a set of P275/65TR18 tires. While that might sound like someone’s wi-fi password to you, here’s what that means in plain English:

The P275 at the start of the tire code refers to the width of the tire, in this case 275 millimeters. Meanwhile, the back half of the tire code, 65TR18, tells you that the tires have an aspect ratio of 65%, or that the tire’s sidewall height (from the edge of the rim to the tire’s tread) is approximately 65% of the tire’s total width—in this case 178.75 millimeters. Finally, the 18 at the end of the tire code indicates that these tires are made to go on a set of 18-inch rims.

The Sequoia’s tires aren’t rated for all-terrain driving, but they are rated for use in mud and snow, which will go a long way towards enhancing the SUV’s off-roading capabilities.

Drivetrain

If you’re planning on off-roading, all-wheel drive is a necessity. While the majority of Sequoia trims, including the base trim, feature rear-wheel drive, you can get all-wheel drive on higher trims like the

Limited 4WD

, Nightshade 4WD, and the

Platinum 4WD

Angles

If you’re new to off-roading, you might not be familiar with the terms approach angle and departure angle. Here’s what they mean:

Approach angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can climb without interference

Departure angle: the maximum angle at which a vehicle can descend without interference

For moderate to intense off-road terrain, a good pairing of approach and departure angles would be, for example, 37 degrees and 49 degrees respectively. The 2021 Toyota Sequoia doesn’t even scratch the surface in this category, with respective angles of 27 degrees approach and 20 degrees departure. This means that while the Sequoia can handle some gentle off-roading, it’s certainly not suitable for serious rock crawling.

Off-road rating: Rough and ready

Using

Jerry’s

totally-official DIRT rating system, we’ve rated the 2021 Toyota Sequoia. Here’s a quick break down of our rating system:

Rating	Meaning	Description
D	Don’t Try It	Vehicles better suited to highway conditions
I	In a Pinch	Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances
R	Rough and Ready	Vehicles designed for casual off-roading
T	Trail Boss	True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain

We’re giving the 2021 Toyota Sequoia an R rating: while the Sequoia definitely brings the necessary off-roading chops in terms of ground clearance and torque, it’s approach and departure angles and lack of standard all-wheel drive keep it from being the best of the best when it comes to off-roading.

MORE:

The best old-school off-road vehicles

The best off-road alternatives to the 2021 Toyota Sequoia

The 2021 Toyota Sequoia is a great option if you’re looking for an SUV that can tackle less challenging off-roading. That being said, some drivers aren’t going to be happy with an off-roading SUV that can’t handle every adventure. So whether you’re looking for something cheaper, or just something more powerful, here are the best alternatives to the 2021 Toyota Sequoia:

Alternative	Model	Price	Description
Best affordable alternative	Dodge Durango	$35,475	The Durango boasts a high-tech infotainment center, a powerful V-8 engine, and a maximum towing capacity of 9,000 pounds.
Best large SUV alternative	Chevrolet Tahoe	$49,600	The Chevrolet Tahoe boasts a smooth V-8 engine, a spacious interior, and top-of-the-line infotainment capabilities.
Best alternative for serious off-roading	Ford Expedition	$51,080	The Ford Expedition boasts a twin-turbo V-6 engine, plentiful passenger and cargo space, and competitive tow ratings.

MORE: Cheap off-road trucks

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How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles

Despite all of their advantages, off-road capable vehicles tend to be more expensive—both to purchase and to insure. This is a result of the increased risk drivers and their vehicles face during off-road expeditions.

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