Introduction

Toyota Sequoia is among the best of the full-size SUVs. It's nearly the same size as a Ford Expedition, and slightly larger than a Chevy Tahoe. Like most Toyotas, it's very well engineered and offers high levels of build and finish quality, and Toyota offers some of the highest customer satisfaction and long-term reliability ratings in the auto industry. The Sequoia is every inch a truck, but it's very comfortable and relatively quiet. The Sequoia is a good vehicle for large families, particularly for those who pull trailers. It offers three rows of seats capable of carrying eight passengers. Though big, it's surprisingly maneuverable. It's great for towing. All models are well equipped, and Toyota has enhanced value for 2004 by adding equipment without raising the base price. The less expensive SR-5 model adds standard dual-zone front and rear climate control and power front seats. The high-trim Sequoia Limited now comes standard with a power moonroof. If the space, towing capacity and off-road capability of a truck-based, full-size sport-utility are what you need, the Toyota Sequoia is hard to beat.

Walkaround

Sequoia's overall look is clean, purposeful and, above all, big. The Sequoia takes its styling cues from the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup. Both are built at the same assembly plant in Princeton, Indiana. Sequoia may be the most conservatively styled full-size SUV available. The rear looks more like a minivan than a truck. Sequoia's front and rear doors are nicely integrated and fit proportionally with the rearmost seating and cargo area. They swing open and closed with exceptional lightness, but shut with a nice, secure thunk. The window in the rear liftgate actually rolls down, just like those on the wood-paneled station wagons of the '60s and '70s. That's good, because this is a big vehicle. The liftgate swings so high that it's a long stretch for people five-feet tall, even with the hanging assist strap. Sequoia's overhangs, particularly the front, are short, so the approach and departure angles are good for off-roading. The Limited model has body colored wheel arches, mirrors and molding, as opposed to black. It's also distinguished by its fog lights, running boards and standard alloy wheels. Toyota hasn't taken to the trend of decking its SUVs with big swathes of black vinyl or plastic, and in our view that's good.

Interior Features

Getting in and out of the Sequoia can be a challenge, particularly for smaller children and Grandma. Running boards are available and are immensely helpful, along with the grab handles mounted just inside the doorframes. But you must be prepared to lift yourself up and into this vehicle. A big beast like the Sequoia requires some physical dexterity, and that its occupants not be afraid of heights. Once in, there's a commanding view from every seat. The big, sumptuous leather seats in the Limited model are extremely comfortable, and heated. Controls follow Toyota's classic, and handy, standard: Lights on the left stalk, wipers on the right. Stereo and climate-control buttons and knobs are larger than those in most vehicles and are clustered in a pod in the center of the dash. Indeed, the temperature and fan dials are the largest in the Sequoia, and that takes a little getting used to. Our instinct was to change the interior temperature when we wanted to adjust the volume. All switches have a satisfying feel, but we have a couple of nitpicks. The clock is mounted too low in the center of the dash, and obscured from view by the climate-control switches. And not all of us are enamored with the metal-tone trim that adorns the switch clusters on the doors and dash. Toyota's attention to detail can be seen everywhere inside the Sequoia. The terrifically large bin between the front seats is split into two levels. The top level has a fold-out clipboard and spring-loaded coin slots. The bottom level has a molded, bookshelf-like CD holder to keep up to eight CDs from rattling around, but there's enough room left over to hold a six-pack or a moderately sized purse. The door pockets are narrow, but there are two open bins at the front of the console, lined with rubber and deep enough to keep cell phones or wallets from sliding around. An overhead console holds sunglasses. The driver information center includes a compass, outside temperature gauge, and fuel economy statistics, such as miles until empty and mpg. The three-passenger second-row seat is big, contoured and comfortable. The seat backs recline over a broad range, and the rear audio and climate controls on Sequoia's so equipped are prominently placed on the rear of the big center console, within easy reach of all three second-row seating positions, as well as those in front. The seat itself splits 60/40 to fold. The Sequoia is a champ if you have to transport lots of kids on a regular basis. We say kids because they'll have the most energy and agility to hop over the middle-row to get to the third-row seats. Nonetheless, asking full-sized adults to crawl back there isn't likely to cost you a few friends. A lever on the curbside of the second seat releases a spring-loaded mechanism that drops the seatback and flips the entire seat forward. It clears a fairly wide path to the rear, and the middle seat is easy to plop back once passengers are aboard. The three-place third row is about as good as they get. Legroom is limited compared to the second row, but the seatbacks recline and there's ample headroom. Further, the entire third row also slides fore/aft over a range of eight inches, to adjust for more legroom or more storage behind the seat. With the third seat up and all the way forward, there's room behind for a large suitcase and a couple of carry-on bags. For more cargo space, the third-row seats are easy to tumble forward, or they can be removed completely with a bit more effort. With them tumbled, we found enough room for a jogging stroller, a baby backpack and all the rest of the gear needed for a day hike. For maximum cargo carrying, you can remove the third-row seats and fold and tumble the second-row seats. Then there's enough space back there to clean out Toys 'R Us during a clearance sale. Indeed, the Sequoia offers more cargo space in any of its configurations (third seat in place, folded, etc.) than a