The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

Let’s face it, Detroit is thrilled that so many are so taken with mammoth automotive mastodons. It means fat profits and paychecks. The profit from a large SUV can be $15,000 or more. That’s the full price of some small cars.

You can almost imagine the big shots at the Big Two (formerly the Big Three) trembling when they see Toyota march fearlessly into prime Big Three profit territory: big trucks. None have been more fearless than Toyota with its Tundra full-sized pickup truck. (It’s been successful enough to encourage Nissan to develop its own big pickup.

Of course, once you’ve developed a big pickup, you have a great platform for developing a full-sized SUV. So just as GMC transforms the Sierra into a Yukon or Ford turns the F150 into the Expedition, Toyota has taken the Tundra and come up with the Sequoia. (The vehicles are identical from the b-pillar forward, but the Sequoia’s frame is fully boxed from front to rear.)

With such a massive vehicle on hand (perfect for carrying any flea market finds), it seemed like the perfect vehicle to round up a fellow troublemaker and head to the Kruse’s Atlantic City Auto Auction held at the new convention center in Atlantic City.

Knowing that traffic clogs quickly on the Atlantic City Expressway, we headed for local roads, specifically the White Horse Pike. If you’ve never taken this route to the shore, it’s a bit more scenic than the toll road, with vineyards, old gas stations and pine barrens offering scenic vistas as you troll to New Jersey’s gambling mecca.

The Sequoia proved to be the perfect companion.

With a size and style that mimics Ford’s Expedition, and endowed with Toyota’s legendary build quality, this vehicle is a real smoothie.

The front bucket seats are almost too wide, something hard to imagine in a Japanese vehicle. They’re just the right combination of comfort and support. The second row is a little low, but comfortable. The third row can seat children or pets. Just to the right of the driver are large, clear gauges nestled beside a round cluster that houses audio and climate controls. They’re easy to understand and operate, although some may find them far to reach. The center console houses the transmission and storage console. The console lid contains a flip-up memo pad clip.

Elsewhere, power points, cupholders and storage space abound. So do the goodies. The ubiquitous power windows/mirrors/door locks are standard. Ditto for an in-dash AM/FM/cassette/3-in-1 CD audio system as well as cruise control, automatic on/off headlamps, anti-theft engine immobilizer and automatic climate control. This is true no matter which trim level you chose, SR5 or Limited.

If you’re feeling flush, pop for the Limited. You’ll also get dual-zone climate control, leather trim, premium JBL audio system, roof rack, alloy wheels, multi-function trip computer, color-keyed bumpers, heated seats, fog lamps, towin g package and heated side mirrors.

While the interior seemed nicely furnished and well-assembled, it all seemed a bit bland. But function is more important than art in SUVs.

The ride was quiet and refined, although there was some road noise.

It’s hard to call any vehicle this large nimble, but the Sequoia proved easy to maneuver despite its bulk.

Power was excellent.

The standard engine is Toyota’s 4.7-liter i-Force V-8 that is good for 240 horsepower. While no fuel economy champ (EPA estimates are 14 mpg city, 18 mpg highway), the engine is certified as an ultra-low emission vehicle. Its strong, silent operation moved this mess of metal with ease. With a smooth-shifting automatic, this vehicle gobbled up the miles and gasoline with ease.

The four-wheel-drive system can be switched between two-wheel and four-wheel drive on the fly, although there is no low range. Vehicle Skid Control and traction control are standard.

It all made for a pleasant vehicle to wheel to the shore.

The Atlantic City auction was more interesting than the monstrous concrete bunker in which it was held. Suffice to say, American muscle cars were the stars of the show, with one 1971 Cutlass 442 convertible fetching more than $40,000!

The older classics had a tougher time of it, despite strong bids. Alas, the flea market seemed to be less about automobiles, and more about stuff. So, there was little of bulk to carry home, but it would have been easy, because the Sequoia’s interior volume is greater than that of the Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition.

What about towing capacity?

Here the Sequoia comes in second to its American rivals, with 6,500 pounds in 4×2 form and 6,200 pounds in 4×4 form. So towing home that Cutlass wasn’t even a possibility. But, lack of funds meant the closest I could come was the rusted hulk of a 70s-vintage Tornado that went for a few hundred bucks.

If towing isn’t a concern, then finding a Sequoia will be. It’s sure to be popular. This is one wonderful SUV. The only question that remains is this: if this is so wonderful, why would you want the smaller, pricier Land Cruiser?