Introduction

The Toyota Sequoia was completely redesigned and re-engineered for 2008, boasting impressive truck capabilities and the bold looks of the Toyota Tundra pickup. So the 2009 Sequoia cruises through that sweet spot, second year of production with only minimal change. This second-generation Sequoia is bigger and more capable than the original, 2001-2007 version. Bigger than a Chevy Tahoe in almost every dimension, this latest Sequoia is the biggest SUV Toyota has ever made, and it has the most capability. The Sequoia can transport eight people, plus cargo. Seating comfort for rear-row passengers was a design priority, so the more you carry full loads of people, the more the Sequoia becomes attractive. The interior is designed with generous seats, big armrests, and lots of storage for passengers, plus an optional entertainment system for long trips. The Sequoia can be equipped to tow trailers of up to 10,000 pounds. Its optional 5.7-liter V8 makes more than 400 pound-feet of torque, while an available six-speed transmission allows for smooth cruising. Four-wheel-drive models offer credible off-highway driving capability, with easy shifting into and out of 4WD, good low range gearing, and lockable differential for better traction. Toyota's comprehensive suite of electronic safety, stability and traction controls, the STAR system, is standard on all models, as are advanced airbag systems. The Sequoia represents a state-of-the-art rendering of the modern sport utility vehicle. It's built to transport people and their gear, in comfort, across long distances on North American super-highways. It's all about getting people in and out easily, keeping them comfy, and making heavy loads secure and routine. It rides quietly, steers easily, and with three models, two drive trains, and a broad selection of options, the Sequoia can be configured in a variety of ways to meet specific wants, needs and price points. The Sequoia differs from the premium Land Cruiser in that the Sequoia is larger, can carry and tow more and is designed specifically for North America. The Land Cruiser is designed to address upscale luxury car buyers in global markets. The Sequoia is more about practical utility and comfort. It is built at Toyota's Princeton, Indiana, factory and shares many components with the Tundra pickup that is now built in San Antonio, Texas. The 2009 Toyota Sequoia is packaged in three grades: SR5, Limited and Platinum. SR5 comes standard with a 276-hp 4.7-liter V8 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Limited and Platinum come standard with the 5.7-liter V8 and six-speed automatic. Eight-passenger seating is standard; Platinum seats seven. A flex-fuel version of the 5.7-liter engine that can run on E85 (85 percent ethanol) is available in most states.

Walkaround

Compared to the Chevy Tahoe, the Toyota Sequoia is longer and wider with a longer wheelbase. It's designed to look tall and oversized, so as to project strength from a distance. Larger than the previous-generation (pre-2008) model, the 2008-2009 Toyota Sequoia is a full size SUV. Sequoia shares design features with the Tundra pickup from the front bumper to the B-pillar, along with numerous drive train components. The windshield angle is lower than that of the previous-generation version, accentuating bulk below the hood line, and larger high-mounted headlamps add an alert look to a cabin-forward design. Exterior mirrors are large, because they have to be, but careful smoothing has reduced wind noise, as does the use of partially hidden wipers that likewise must be very large to sweep the large front windshield. The new design permits a drag coefficient of 0.35, respectable for a full-size truck. From the side, large, strong-looking door handles are apparent, the kind you'd appreciate if you wear gloves. The rear doors open 10 degrees wider than in 2007 and earlier models, for easier child seat and passenger access, and have three detents, instead of two. Parking sensors enable easier parking and the ability to avoid people or toys lurking in the driveway.

Interior Features

The Toyota Sequoia cabin is built for passenger comfort, with generous legroom and headroom. Seating is designed for long days of driving, with a comfortable, unusually wide driver's seat with power lumbar support. The seats have soft, wide bolsters and the kind of adjustability that allows a driver to shift around during long drives. With a body longer and wider than that of the Chevy Tahoe, the Sequoia boasts a large cabin. The interior is conspicuously wide and it offers more legroom and shoulder room than that of the Tahoe or the previous-generation Sequoia. The dash is simple and focused, with two central gauges, speedometer and tachometer, flanked by fuel, temperature and voltage gauges. Bright rings accent the instrumentation. A very large rectangular shifter dominates the metallic center strip area, and behind it is a wide central console designed to hold 12 CDs or four DVD cases. We liked the Sand Beige interior on our test vehicle. Graphite is the other standard color. A two-tone scheme called Red Rock/Black is only available with the Platinum grade. The four-spoke steering wheel contains controls for AC, Bluetooth-capable phones and audio functions. The steering column tilts and telescopes; our test unit had a powered memory feature. Switches and dials are used to control windows and HVAC system. The HVAC system is designed to define and maintain three different climate zones, two in the front, and one in the back. We think Toyota does a good job when it comes to switch feel and operational consistency when it comes to dials and other touch points. Two overhead compartments are suitable for sunglasses, and the control strip has sunroof controls. An electrochromic rear view mirror is standard except on SR5, and the mirror contains built-in garage door opener buttons operating on three different frequencies. The sun visors are huge, and they slide on their hangers, providing effective shade for driver and passenger all day long. On the A-pillar are hefty grab handles, with grips big enough to support body weight as you swing into the seat. The interior is notable for thoughtful features that increase utility, such as a compass, map light, automatic up-and-down jam protection for front power windows, and back door power window. The Sequoia is especially designed to make the third-row passenger seats more comfortable, and more useful, more like real seating for adults. To that end, the third row seats have almost as much leg room as the second-row seats, and have adjustability features rarely seen in eight-passenger SUVs. For those who often make use of the third row, the Sequoia's standard interior layout is better than many SUVs we've seen, in which the third-row seats constitute emergency seating for smaller people only. Those who do not need eight-passenger capacity can configure the Sequoia with captain's chairs in the second row, which shifts the priority to second-row passenger comfort. Sequoia is one of the very few SUVs with a retractable rear hatch window (4Runner is the other), providing flow-through ventilation that smokers particularly appreciate. It also has a closed, removable ashtray that is dish-washable, and a cigarette lighter up front. Last but not least, the Sequoia has ample cargo room behind the third row, and even more if you fold it down. When the seat is folded flat, large baggage or cargo can be loaded without removing the seat. It is a well-organized cargo area, even having tow hooks that can hang grocery bags. The seat folds flat manually in SR5's, and upgrades to a power folding feature in Limited and Platinum models.