What is it: The Toyota Sequoia is the company’s biggest vehicle, and it's built like a pickup truck (because it's based on the Toyota Tundra): body-on-frame, which the company describes as “sturdy.” I think anything tipping the scales at three tons can be described that way. It’s an eight seater, and with more than 35 inches of legroom in the rear, those eight could possbily be adult sized. The Sequoia debuted in 2000 and won the North American Truck of the Year in 2001. It’s now in its second generation, but has received numerous upgrades since the big change in 2008.
Key Competitors: Chevrolet Suburban, Nissan Armada, GMC Yukon
Base Price: $61,715 As-Tested Price: $63,638
Highlights: The Sequoia is getting long in the tooth, but two fully up-to-date features are the engine, a 5.7-liter V8 making 381 hp and 401 lb-ft, and Toyota Safety Sense-P, which is standard on all grades. The big V8 is good for 7,400 pounds of towing when properly equipped and the TSS-P gives you a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection and automatic braking, lane departure alert with sway warning system, dynamic radar cruise control with full stop technology and automatic high beams. The Sequoia also adds blind spot monitors and rear cross traffic alert.
Our Opinion: The Sequoia is a big SOB, so the TSS-P safety features are welcome, as is the 38.1-foot turning radius, small for this class. I backed out of my parents' super-narrow driveway really slowly, even though I’ve been doing it for decades. On the road too, you have to pay attention to keep it in between the lines. On the good side, not only can you seat eight, but you can also carry about 20 cubic feet of basketballs, or hockey equipment, or lacrosse…bats? Clubs? Paddles?
The big 5.7-liter non-Hemi makes a lot of ruckus under the hood, and most of that makes its way into the cabin. It certainly makes this big bruiser seem faster than it is (though it’s not slow), but I would add a little more sound insulation if I was building the next Sequoia. The throttle is easy and sensitive, meaning you put your foot down 1/3 of the way and you’re off and running. It feels quicker off the line than at speed, but I was never wanting for passing power on the expressway. The Sequoia's brakes were fine, maybe a little soft for my tastes, but progressive.
Something this big will never handle well, but the luxury-style low-effort steering wheel made the Sequoia generally go where pointed. I would probably ask for a little more weight at speed, as it’s a little darty on the expressway. Outward visibility is great considering you’re five feet higher than anyone else on the road.
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