As Toyota has grown bigger, now the world’s largest automaker, so has its cars. The idea of growing out the Tundra made

The big Sequoia looks at home just about anywhere. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

a lot of sense a half decade ago when fuel was relatively cheap and a comparatively booming economy was pushing new vehicle sales through the roof. Now, in retrospect, you’ve got to wonder if the execs that run the revered Japanese brand are a little perturbed at the decision to go large. After all, the seven-eighths sized previous-generation Tundra might have been just the right size to fit into today’s more economically-oriented market, although don’t think for a minute that Toyota’s truck team is merely hoping and praying for fuel prices to drop. No, instead they’ve gone and introduced an entirely new eight-cylinder engine that’s more powerful and gets better mileage than the old 4.7-litre it replaces, not to mention better fuel economy than any other non-hybrid in the class!

Why am I talking about the Tundra in a

The Sequoia's traction and stability control systems are superb on loose gravel roads. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Sequoia review? Well, just in case you hadn’t noticed the familial similarities, the Sequoia is basically a Tundra Crew Cab ahead of the D-pillar, and therefore the 4.6-litre V8 I just mentioned comes standard in this monster SUV, improving performance by 12 percent and fuel economy by 8 percent over its 4.7-litre predecessor just like it does in the Tundra. The engine makes a heady 310hp at 5,600 rpm and 327 lb-ft of torque at 3,400 rpm, enough to move this rather hefty 2,707-kilo (5,970-lb) eight-occupant SUV around in fine fashion. Sure, it’ll look good as it rolls down the main street catwalk, but it’s not exactly quick. It makes that back in fuel economy, right? Yes and no. While it’s good for the class, you’d think that the 5.7-litre V8 upgrade, an engine that makes a commanding 381hp

Need to off-road? No problem! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm, would suck back the gas at a much greater rate than this 4.6, bit with an estimated 16.3L/100km in the city and 11.2 on the highway, it comes pretty close to the 4.6-litre’s 16.0 and 11.1 respectively. Then again the 5.7 begs to be driven a little harder than those testing for fuel economy would attempt, so it’s possible real-world mileage will lean towards the 4.6. The fact that both engines use regular fuel is another bonus.

A six-speed automatic transmission is another big reason why the Sequoia does so well at the pumps, new for this year and much appreciated. It replaces a

Toyota offers a sportier look inside the Sequoia than its rivals. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

five-speed unit that served Toyota’s body-on-frame truck and SUV lineup well, but now an extra top gear reduces fuel economy while on the highway. Power goes out to the real wheel unless four-wheel drive high is selected, which means that when conditions are dry and the front wheels aren’t needed for traction you’ll save on fuel. If slogging through loose surfaces is your thing, though, whether gravel, sand, mud or snow, the Sequoia’s bull-low gearing ratios and 241 mm (9.5 inch) ground clearance will get you through just about anything Mother Nature can throw at you.

And you’ll do it in style, too. Toyota has opted for a sportier more modern look inside than its domestic rivals, the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban models delivering

A nicely laid out audio and climate control interface, with BIG buttons, but materials are a little plasticky. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

a classier cabin and Ford Expedition probably the most upscale looking of the lot. Then again, Nissan’s Armada is easily the best-made cabin of this bunch, conservatively penned next to the Sequoia’s unique design yet enjoying some of the nicest switchgear around the steering column and centre stack and even some soft-touch plastics around the door and dash, although it’s the most expensive in base trim. Just the same, those less than ideal surfaces would be my chief complaint about the Sequoia. For a vehicle that costs $48,320 in base trim and tops $65,000 fully loaded, plus $1,490 freight and pre-delivery inspection, you get basically the same instrument panel as with a $25,000 work truck. Sure it includes such niceties as automatic climate control integrated into a high-sheen metallic gray and blackened clear plastic interface that also houses

Rear seat room is fabulous! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

the AM/FM/CD audio system with eight speakers, but it’s still pickup truck fare when stacked beside its rivals.

The leather seats and steering wheel of my tester helped give it a richer ambience, and the rear climate controls fitted into the back of the centre console that divides each front bucket seat, make passenger comfort a first class affair.

And like any first class airline seat, excessive roominess is most of what you’re paying for. The Sequoia has interior room excess on overload, with acres of space behind the already expansive front seats thanks to its sheer size,

Access to the third row is excellent, and sitting back there is totally comfortable. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

measuring in at 5,210 mm (205.1 inches) long, 2,030 mm (79.9 inches) wide, 1,920 mm (75.6 inches) tall, and with a wheelbase of 3,100 mm (122.0 inches). More legroom than most full-size luxury cars lies in front of a second-row bench that’s split 40/20/40 for optimizing passenger and load carrying flexibility, and those seats tumble forward quickly and easily for access to the 60/40-split third row, which again is a commodious as rearmost seats get, bordering on largesse!

Behind that third row is more cargo capacity than the largest full-size sedans, even airport limos, at 804 litres (28.4 cu ft), so the need to drop that row, an easy process if forced to accommodate, is lessened. Do the deed, however, a powered process no less, and 2,248 litres (79.4 cu ft) of space opens up before you, and there’s still room for five

Towing is no problem for this big brute, and visibility is great from up here! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

occupants aboard! Need more? No problem. Fold the second row flat and your load hauling capacity has just reached monolithic proportions at 3,421 litres (120.8 cu ft)!

And its payload capacity is pretty substantial too, at 575 kilos (1,275 lbs) with the base SR5, that model featuring the 4.6-litre V8 mentioned previously, 555 kilos (1,230 lbs) with the 5.7-litre endowed Limited model, and 550 kg (1,220 lbs) with the Platinum, also featuring the big, powerful 5.7 (payload capability goes down as the price goes up because of the extra weight added by luxury features). Ok, so that’s why people buy these massive utes. Well, true. For hauling a lot of people and loads of stuff inside they’re ideal, not to mention towing heavy trailers.

Yes, the Sequoia can tow just about anything you strap onto its standard trailer hitch, the weights dependent on engine and trim, of course. The SR5, with its 4.6-litre V8 is only good for 3,175 kilograms (7,000 lbs), whereas the Limited can handled a sizeable 4,125 kilos (9,100 lbs) at its backside and Platinum models slightly less, at 3,990 kg (8,800 lbs). Just a note, last year’s SR5 5.7 trim level has been discontinued.

A problem I face when backing up with any large SUV, let alone one with a trailer is seeing beyond the mass to what may or may not be behind, which is why I like the new standard backup camera that comes integrated into the rearview mirror. What a simple and cost effective way to solve this anxiety-inducing problem. The first SUV I saw with this seemingly aftermarket solution was the redesigned Hummer H2, and now it’s cropping up on all Toyota body-on-frame

Myriad safety features protect in the dry or rain, on gravel or snow! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

truck and SUV models that don’t have a navigation system built into the dash, the display of which often doubles as a backup monitor as it does with the Sequoia if the optional nav is chosen.

While a potentially critically important safety feature for those outside of the Sequoia, Toyota protects its precious cargo, its customers and future customers with standard front driver and passenger knee airbags, as well as dual front, side-thorax bags and curtain-type airbags for each window seat. Traction and stability control comes standard too, as do ABS-enhanced brakes, all of which assist the big SUV to stay between the lines in slippery conditions, not to mention help out immeasurably when off-road.

Assisting this process further is a set of 275/65R18 mud + snow rated tires on 18-inch alloy wheels, standard with the SR5, the model tested. That SUV also gets the aforementioned tri-zone automatic climate control, CD/MP3 stereo with steering wheel-mounted controls plus USB and auxiliary input, XM satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity. Power windows are also part of the deal, as are power locks with keyless entry, standard heated leather seats with ten-way driver and four-way passenger power adjustment, heated and remote powered mirrors, variable intermittent de-icing wipers, an intermittent rear wiper, automatic headlamps with washers, a powered tailgate window, auto-dimming rearview mirror with the integrated backup camera mentioned earlier, plus a compass. A tilt and telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard too, cruise control, front and rear clearance sonar, an anti-theft system, tire pressure monitor, rear privacy glass, a power glass sunroof, roof rails with

The Sequoia handles on the road very well for such a big truck. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

crossbars, front and rear splash guards, front tow hook, towing hitch, and fog lamps. A three-year or 60,000 km comprehensive and five-year or 100,000 km powertrain warranty is standard too.

Opt for the $57,235 Limited model and attractive 20-inch alloy rims on 275/55R20 mud + snow tires come as part of the package, as do power-folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals, puddle lamps, memory and reverse auto tilt. Chrome door handles add a touch of class too, while a rear spoiler gives the Limited a sportier appearance. A power tailgate, Optitron gauges, 6-CD/MP3 audio system, driver's side memory, and a rear sunshade round out the package.

The

The sunroof almost feels small in such a large car, considering all the panoramic glass roofs available nowadays. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

$65,475 Platinum compromises the CD player with four discs but adds a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, plus perforated heated and ventilated leather seats, heated captain chairs for the second row, a power tilt and telescopic steering wheel, woodgrain trim, a second-row centre console, dynamic laser cruise control, XM Real-Time Traffic capability, plus an Adaptive Variable Rear Suspension (AVS) with load leveling rear air suspension that features three driver-adjustable settings from comfort to normal and sport. The Platinum also comes with a 115-volt power outlet, and a DVD-based navigation system with a backup camera integrated into the display. This last item in mind, being that there’s no need for the backup camera in the base model and Limited’s rearview mirror, an auto-dimming unit featuring a compass takes its place.

And

No rival SUV looks as tough as the new Toyota Sequoia. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

by the way, you can get the latter rearview mirror, navigation system rear-seat DVD player and 115-volt outlet as an add-on to the Limited model, dubbed the Technology Package, for an additional $4,300, giving the Sequoia Limited, so equipped, a $61,535 MSRP.

Full-size SUVs like the Sequoia don’t sell as well now as they once did, but for those who need to haul a lot of people and cargo off-road, where a minivan or large crossover simply won’t do, or for those who do a lot of towing, a Sequoia would be ideal. The new 4.6 offers fractionally better fuel economy than the 5.7, but a better price being that it comes equipped to the base SR5 package that I drove. And truly, with a host of premium-like features as standard, it’s a very compelling SUV alternative.

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(J002) Standard Pearl Paint

(J003) Standard Metallic Paint

(J004) Standard Black Paint

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint