>>Take a look at the 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited Gallery that goes with this Road Test

Up until 2007 the Sequoia was considered a reliable sport utility, but not quite up to par or size with the full size segment leaders, the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition.   Starting off at a three-quarters scale disadvantage, Toyota knew they had to go bigger to angle for more sales from the full size segment.  Just as they did with the Tundra last year, the Sequoia is redesigned and up-sized going into 2008.  With a more aggressive front-end and a  5.7-liter 381-horsepower engine cherry picked from the new Tundra, Toyota has placed the Sequoia in an extremely competitive position relative to the also fresh Suburban and Expedition.  The big question: Is the new bruiser big enough to scare the other guys? The bigger question: If it is, did Toyota finally enter the super-hot SUV party just as it's getting busted by high fuel prices?

From the moment you start up the optional 381-horsepower i-Force V8, it's overly apparent there's some serious muscle lurking under the hood. Lay into the accelerator and the brute force push from behind lends serious doubt that you are in fact driving a 17-foot long full-size sport utility. The exhaust note harks of Nissan's 5.6-liter but with the smooth bravado of a DOHC Ford V8.  While only 1-inch short of an Expedition in total length the Sequoia is surprisingly small on the road, if only in feel.  It fits in a normal mall parking spot, navigates with a tight turning radius, and does not exhibit the normal light rear end feeling that many trucks and utilities in this segment can't seem to get away from.  Between the fully independent rear suspension and the tourqy V8, we came away surprised just how livable Toyota has made the Sequoia.  The normal plus size awareness one must usually heed when driving any vehicle of this size has been beautifully engineered away.  

On the exterior, Toyota must get credit for draping the visually aggressive exterior from the Tundra onto the Sequoia without bloat. Wimpy looks this monster does not have.  There are a few changes from the Tundra aside from the overall shape.  Chrome on the grill has been switched for paint and the faux vent on the front of the hood has been removed all together. The interior keeps the truck's dash configuration but adds a more rich color palate and less black polished plastic around the radio.  A power flat fold third row seat is quick and easy to operate, complementing the available power open/close rear hatch nicely. Power hatches are common options on many vehicles these days but Toyota has taken it one step further by bringing a power retracting window into the mix as well.  We used the rear window quite a bit as warmer weather starts to penetrate New England this time of year.

On days the weather doesn't work in your favor, as we also encountered,  the optional  four-wheel-drive system handles it all. With a half-foot of snow on the road, the Sequoia trudged through like the frozen road didn't even exist. Stability control kept things strait and at lower speeds a lockable center differential firms up traction even more.  If you're crazy, throw the transfer case in low and raise the air-suspension to its high level to gain an even greater advantage.

Again- not wanting to allow Chevy or Ford to have all the cake, Toyota took time with the Sequoia's interior. Dual power front seats are large and comfortable. The second row is equally large and slides front to back giving the surprisingly spacious third row more leg-room as needed. Toyota claims the third row can fit three adults comfortably but we wouldn't put more than two of our closest friends in the way back.  Even loaded up with a full bevy of adults, you can be rest-assured they will all have a place to bring along something to drink, with sixteen cup holders.  And if a 2:1 cup holder to passenger ratio wasn't enough, many are large enough to fit a Nalgene bottle- a definite plus.

But besides all the flashy features, the bright spot on the Sequoia is the available 5.7-liter engine. It's not standard, but if you absolutely need to tow something or are sadistic about fuel costs- this is your choice. 381-horsepower and 401-lb-ft of torque trump all the offerings from Ford, General Motors, or Nissan. As you might also guess- so does it' s need for fuel. The EPA rates the Sequoia at 13-mpg in the city and 18 on the highway. During our 931-mile test we averaged just under 15-mpg.  For all the performance, those 931 miles set us back a cringe inducing $198 of regular unleaded. While not quite as tourqy, GM's 6.0-liter with active fuel management reaches above 20-mpg with ease. In our example, driven a similar distance the GM would have only cost around $150 in gas. Over the course of a year this becomes a significant sum.  Toyota does offer an optional 4.7-liter V8, but with one less gear in the transmission (five versus six as found in our tester), the fuel economy on the highway drops to 16-mpg. Just something to make you go hmmmm.

By the end of our two-week stint we were really feeling this new Toyota. It offered plenty of space, great driving dynamics and rocket-like performance. While we are never one to turn away a monster engine, the thirst for octane may be too great for many people's budget. Both the Expedition and Suburban fair better in fuel economy, which is quickly becoming a deal breaker as fuel prices threaten to continue their steep climb.  Is the Sequoia a better full-size? There is no doubt. Better than the current market leaders? Time will tell as personal choice is a hard thing to judge. We argue that the Sequoia has everything it takes to be the segment leader  and then some. However if fuel prices have any relation to sales figures, Toyota still has some catching up to do.

Conclusion:
All the right stuff to beat up all those pesky Suburban's on luxury and performance but with a thirsty disadvantage.

Green Light:
- Hello- 381 V8 horsepower!
- Power third row that is comfortable and folds flat
-Could tow your house

Red Light:
- Hello- 381 V8 horsepower!
- Hard plastics used in sections of interior
- Fit and finish not as detailed as GM interiors

photographed by Zane Merva

Detailed Specifications | 2008 Toyota Sequoia Limited

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