2026 Toyota Sequoia SR5: Bristol Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: The 2026 Sequoia SR5
The SR5 is the way into a Sequoia, priced from $65,725 MSRP plus a $2,195 destination charge. It is the only trim that seats eight, thanks to a second-row bench, and it includes the same 437-horsepower i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain as every other Sequoia. Standard equipment includes 18-inch silver-painted alloy wheels, Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, an 8-inch touchscreen with an 8-speaker audio system and power-folding third-row seats. It starts in rear-wheel drive, and 4WD adds $3,000 for a $68,725 MSRP. Toyota of Bristol stocks Sequoias at 1069 Farmington Avenue in Bristol, Connecticut.
The Sequoia without the extras
Starting a lineup at $65,725 doesn't sound modest, but the SR5 is where Toyota keeps the Sequoia's essentials and trims away the luxury layers. The grille is a plain black bar design rather than the honeycomb mesh of the upper trims, the wheels are 18-inch silver alloys, and the cabin finishes are simpler than anything higher up the ladder. What it doesn't skimp on is the hardware that matters for a vehicle this size. Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 is standard, the hybrid V6 is the same unit the Capstone gets, and a Class IV hitch with a trailer brake controller and trailer-sway control comes with the truck.
New for 2026, the third-row seats fold and unfold with power on the SR5 as they do on the rest of the lineup. That detail is easy to underrate until you are standing in a parking lot with a stroller in one hand.
Eight seats, and why that matters
The second-row bench is the SR5's signature feature, since every higher trim switches to captain's chairs and drops to seven seats. For a household with three children and grandparents who join road trips, the extra seat is the entire reason to choose this trim. The tradeoff is that the middle seat in a bench row is the least comfortable place in any vehicle, so if you rarely carry eight, the Limited's captain's chairs and leather may serve you better for $5,770 more.
Inside, you get an 8-inch touchscreen with an 8-speaker audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and tri-zone automatic climate control. The larger 14-inch screen starts at the Limited.
Rear-wheel drive or 4WD
The SR5 leaves the factory in rear-wheel drive, and Toyota rates it at an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city, 24 highway and 22 combined. Choosing 4WD adds $3,000 and lowers the estimates to 19 city, 22 highway and 20 combined. In Bristol the question deserves a real answer instead of a spec-sheet one. A rear-drive hybrid wearing a good set of winter tires will handle most plowed Connecticut roads without complaint, but if your driveway slopes, you live up a hill off Route 6 or you head north toward the Litchfield Hills in January, the 4WD premium buys peace of mind. Towing capacity on the SR5 is among the highest in the lineup, reaching roughly 9,500 pounds in the right configuration.
What buyers say about the experience
The SR5 tends to attract people who are making a big first step, whether that's a first new vehicle or a first three-row family SUV, and the feedback about Toyota of Bristol often reads that way. Vigilance B., a first-time car buyer, wrote, "She was helpful, attentive, and put us at ease as first time car buyers." That kind of patience counts when the vehicle is the largest purchase a household makes in a few years.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2026 Sequoia SR5 have a third row?
Yes. Every 2026 Sequoia has a third row, and its power-folding mechanism is standard across the lineup this year. The SR5 is the only trim that pairs it with a second-row bench for eight total seats.
Is the Sequoia SR5 a hybrid?
Yes. There is no non-hybrid Sequoia in 2026. The SR5 uses the i-FORCE MAX twin-turbo V6 hybrid, rated at 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, with a 10-speed automatic.
How much more is the SR5 with 4WD?
Toyota lists the 4WD upgrade at $3,000, which brings the SR5 from $65,725 to $68,725 MSRP before the $2,195 destination charge. The EPA-estimated combined mpg figure moves from 22 to 20.
What does the SR5 have that the Limited adds to?
The Limited builds on the SR5 with 20-inch wheels, leather-trimmed seats with 8-way power front adjustment and a 14-inch touchscreen, and it changes the second row to captain's chairs. Both trims share the same powertrain and safety suite.
How much is sales tax on a Sequoia SR5 in Connecticut?
The rear-drive SR5 totals $67,920 with destination, which is above the $50,000 threshold, so Connecticut's 7.75 percent rate applies and the estimated tax is about $5,264 before title, registration and fees. The 4WD version at $70,920 comes to roughly $5,496. The pricing and leasing guide shows every trim.
Take a seat in the second row
The best way to judge a bench against captain's chairs is to climb in with the family. See current Sequoia inventory or visit 1069 Farmington Avenue in Bristol, and call 860-584-7333 for sales.
MSRP excludes the $2,195 destination charge, taxes, title, registration and dealer fees; the dealer sets the final selling price. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates and real-world results will vary. Towing capacity depends on equipment, so confirm the rating for a specific vehicle. Equipment and availability can change with production, so confirm current specifications and stock with Toyota of Bristol. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Toyota of Bristol.
