A low take rate is likely behind the smaller mill's death - many full-size SUV buyers opt for the most powerful engine available to facilitate towing and passenger carrying. The 4.6-liter produces 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque, while the 5.7-liter pumps out 381 ponies and 401 lb-ft of twist.
Toyota has yet to release pricing info for the 2013 Sequoia, but Car and Driver reasonably hypothesizes that the big SUV's base price will increase to about $42,540, or the price of a 2012 model with the 5.7-liter V8 and rear-wheel drive.
The Sequoia is the second Toyota vehicle to lose its base engine for 2013: the Sienna minivan also dropped its 2.7-liter four-cylinder for the new model year.
