Vehicle Overview
The Sequoia is Toyota’s largest SUV, and the full-size model was redesigned for 2008. The Sequoia is available with a choice of two V-8 engines, including a 5.7-liter V-8 that makes 381 horsepower. When properly equipped, the Sequoia can pull 10,000 pounds. Competitors include the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada.
New for 2009
Changes are relatively minor for 2009. A flex-fuel model that can run on E85 has been added, but only on one model: the four-wheel-drive Sequoia with the 5.7-liter V-8. Flex-fuel models are only sold in states that haven’t adopted California’s emission standards.
Exterior
The Sequoia sports a two-box shape, but it doesn’t have bump strips on the side doors and more subtle fender flares, like older models did. Like the Toyota Tundra pickup truck, the Sequoia wears a large chrome grille.
- 18-inch aluminum wheels
- Available 20-inch rims
- Available roof rack
Interior
The Sequoia can seat up to eight people in its three rows of seats, which can be covered in either fabric or leather. The second row slides out of the way when you lift a lever, making it easy to get to the third-row seats. Shoppers familiar with the new Tundra will recognize the Sequoia’s dashboard, with its recessed gauges and sweeping silver-colored trim that stretches from the instrument cluster down to the center console gear selector. Large air conditioning knobs dominate the middle of the dash.
- Second-row bench seat
- Tri-zone automatic air conditioning
- Power windows and locks
- Keyless entry
- CD stereo
- Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- Cruise control
- Available second-row captain’s chairs
- Available power-operated third row
- Available navigation system with 7-inch screen and backup camera
- Available DVD entertainment system with 9-inch screen
- Available heated/vented front seats, heated second-row seats
- Available power liftgate and sunroof
Under the Hood
Rear-wheel-drive Sequoias get an EPA-estimated 14/17 mpg city/highway with the 4.7-liter V-8 and 14/19 mpg with the 5.7-liter V-8. Four-wheel-drive Sequoias, meanwhile, achieve 13/16 mpg with the smaller V-8 and 13/18 mpg with the larger one, showing that more powerful powertrains don’t always get worse gas mileage.
- Four-wheel-independent suspension
- Available air suspension system with load-leveling feature
- 4.7-liter V-8 making 276 hp and 314 pounds-feet of torque
- Five-speed automatic transmission
- Available 5.7-liter V-8 makes 381 hp and 401 pounds-feet of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission
Safety
Safety features include:
- Side-impact airbags for the front seats
- Side curtain airbags for all three rows of seats
- Electronic stability system
- Antilock brakes that incorporate brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution
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