| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
|---|---|
| Production | 2000–present |
| Model years | 2001–present |
| Assembly | Princeton, Indiana, United States (TMMI) |
| Class | Full-size SUV |
| Body style | 4-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Related | Toyota Tundra |
The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana. It is derived from the Toyota Tundra pickup truck but differs in its use of an independent rear suspension. It is priced between the mid-size 4Runner and Toyota's flagship Land Cruiser SUV.
The Sequoia is the largest SUV currently sold under the Toyota name. Both the Sequoia and Land Cruiser seat eight passengers, however the Sequoia is slightly larger than the Land Cruiser, giving it markedly larger leg room for the third row, and more cargo capacity behind its third row. Another difference is that the Sequoia is available in 2WD and its 4WD system is not the permanent 4WD system found in the Land Cruiser. Lastly the Land Cruiser is more luxurious and more upmarket, being the basis for the Lexus LX. As of 2011, the Sequoia is sold exclusively in the United States, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Middle East.
Contents |
| Production | 2000–2007 |
|---|---|
| Model years | 2001–2007 |
| Engine | 4.7 L 240 hp V8 (2001-04) 4.7 L 282 hp V8 with VVT-i (2005) 4.7 L 273 hp V8 with VVT-i (2006-07) |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic (2001-04) 5-speed automatic (2005-07) |
| Wheelbase | 118.1 in (3,000 mm) |
| Length | 203.9 in (5,179 mm) |
| Width | 2001-02 SR5 2WD: 76.0 in (1,930 mm) 2003-04: 78.0 in (1,981 mm) 2005-07: 78.9 in (2,004 mm) 2003-04 SR5 2WD: 76.4 in (1,941 mm) |
| Height | 74.0 in (1,880 mm) 2003-04 Limited 2WD: 75.8 in (1,925 mm) SR5 4WD: 73.6 in (1,869 mm) Limited 4WD: 75.6 in (1,920 mm) Limited 2WD: 75.2 in (1,910 mm) 2005-07 SR5 2WD: 72.8 in (1,849 mm) 2003-04 SR5 2WD: 73.2 in (1,859 mm) 2003-04 Limited 4WD: 76.2 in (1,935 mm) 2001-02 2WD: 73.0 in (1,854 mm) |
The Sequoia was originally shown in car shows in 1999 and 2000, with full production starting in late 2000 as a 2001 model. Engine, driveline, and some sheetmetal components are shared with the Tundra, and shares the same basic chassis, with the exception of rear disc brakes and a more sophisticated multi-link live axle rear suspension. The Sequoia was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award for 2001. The Sequoia is slightly longer than the Land Cruiser, however, it is barely noticeable. At introduction it was larger than the Chevrolet Tahoe in most dimensions and similar in size to the Ford Expedition; its V8 engine was certified as Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. Frame assemblies and driveshafts are produced by Dana Corporation.
The Sequoia comes in two trim levels; SR5 and Limited. The SR5 starts at $32,820 while the more expensive Limited starts at $41,855. It is sold in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions. Vehicle Stability Control was standard on models.[1]
It received a mid-cycle update and minor cosmetic updates for 2005 and gained a more powerful engine equipped with VVT-i, as well as a 5-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous 4-speed, LED-backlit gauges and an in-glass antenna replaces the previous power mast.
Towing Capacity for the 2005 model year:
| Production | 2007–present |
|---|---|
| Model years | 2008–present |
| Engine | 4.7 L 2UZ-FE V8 08-09 (276 hp) 5.7 L 3UR-FE V8 (381 hp) 4.6 L 1UR-FE V8 (310 hp) |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase | 122.0 in (3,099 mm) |
| Length | 205.1 in (5,210 mm) |
| Width | 2008-2010: 79.0 in (2,007 mm) & 79.8 in (2,027 mm) 2011-: 79.9 in (2,029 mm) |
| Height | 77.0 in (1,956 mm) |
| Related | Toyota Tundra |
Toyota unveiled the 2008 Toyota Sequoia at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, with sales beginning that following December. Like the original Sequoia, the new model is based on the new Tundra. However major differences with the Tundra include a fully boxed frame, a rear independent suspension featuring double wishbones with coil springs for improved ride comfort and room, and a locking center differential on 4-wheel drive models. The new suspension helps give the Sequoia a tighter turning radius of 19 feet (5.8 m) and allows for a fold-flat rear seat.[2] Toyota stated the new frame is 70 percent more resistant to bending flex with torsional rigidity up 30 percent[3] However, the new model weighs more than 500 lb (230 kg) more than the previous Sequoia. The drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.35.
Improvements include an optional ULEV-II compliant 381 horsepower 5.7-liter 3UR-FE V8, mated to a 6-speed automatic.
The 2008 Sequoia comes in three trim lines: the SR5 and Limited, and new Platinum. Pricing ranges from about $34,000 to $55,000 depending upon the trim line and configuration. The base engine is the previous ULEV complant 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE 276 horsepower (206 kW) V8 featured from the previous generation. The 4.7-liter is standard on the SR5, while the Limited and Platinum models come standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine. Four-wheel drive is available on all models.
The interior of the 2008 Sequoia features the same dash as the new Tundra. Standard features include a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power windows and doors, dual sun visors, and a keyless entry. Options include DVD based navigation with backup camera and 7" screen, a rear DVD entertainment system, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, and heated seats with ventilated coolers in the front row and warmers in the second row, available in Platinum trim. The Limited trim includes audio, climate, and hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone system controls, an improved JBL audio system, electroluminescent Optitron gauges, and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror and side view mirrors with a HomeLink transceiver. The Platinum model includes a standard DVD navigation with a backup camera, a rear air suspension which can lower for easy loading, and Dynamic Laser Cruise Control.
Seating arrangements are for seven or eight passengers, eight for SR5 and Limited models and seven for Platinum models. Power folding 60/40 split third row seats are available on the Platinum. The Sequoia has a maximum towing capacity of 7400 lbs (4,536 kg) with the 5.7-liter V8 in 2WD SR5 form or 7100 lbs in the 4WD SR5 trim. For complete trailer & weight capacities, see Toyota’s website.[4]
Exterior differences include door handle colors (color-keyed for the SR5; chrome for the Limited and Platinum), diamond-cut 20" aluminum alloy wheels for the Platinum trim, and varying power-heated remote-controlled side mirrors.
Standard safety features include Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, anti-lock brakes brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, front side torso airbags and roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all three rows. For the 2010 model knee airbags were added as standard feature for front driver and passenger safety.
| Frontal Driver: | |
| Frontal Passenger: | |
| Side Driver: | not tested |
| Side Rear Passenger: | not tested |
| Rollover: |
Note: Sequioa has not been retested for 2010.
In a Motor Trend comparison the Sequoia took 1st place.[6]
| Calendar year | US sales |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 9,925[7] |
| 2001 | 68,574 |
| 2002 | 70,187[8] |
| 2003 | 67,067 |
| 2004 | 58,114[9] |
| 2005 | 45,904 |
| 2006 | 34,315[10] |
| 2007 | 23,273 |
| 2008 | 30,693[11] |
| 2009 | 16,387 |
The 2008-2010 Sequoias were part of one of the 2009-2010 Toyota recalls that required the installation of a small shim to relieve unwanted friction and restore fluidity to the accelerator pedal. Early 2003 Sequoias were recalled to reprogram the Vehicle Stability Control system due to the possibility of poor acceleration at certain low speeds. The 2002-3 Sequoia model years also had a defect in the front ball joints.[12]
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| Compact Crossover | RAV4 | RAV4 | RAV4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact SUV | 4Runner | 4Runner | FJ Cruiser | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size Crossover | Highlander | Highlander | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size SUV | 4Runner | 4Runner | 4Runner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size SUV | Land Cruiser | Land Cruiser | Land Cruiser | Land Cruiser | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Minivan | Toyota Van | Previa | Sienna | Sienna | Sienna | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup | Toyota Pickup | Toyota Pickup | Toyota Pickup | Tacoma | Tacoma | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| T100 | Tundra | Tundra | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||