2001 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4X4

I’m riding along in this Sequoia Limited 4X4, a luxurious and pricey version of Toyota’s new mammoth sport utility, and I’m trying to remember the days when “Toyota” was synonymous with “compact, economical, gas-sipping cars.” My how things have changed. This Sequoia, which Toyota calls a “mainstream” sport utility filling the gap between the 4Runner and the Land Cruiser, is larger than the Chevy Tahoe and almost on par dimension-wise with Ford’s Expedition. Built in the U.S. on the Tundra full-size pickup platform, it’s even larger than the Land Cruiser.

By Japanese standards – and even by mid-size domestic standards—this Sequoia is downright huge. Which means it fits right in these days in the good ol’ U.S of A.

The Good News
As is frequently the case with Toyota and other Japanese carmakers that step into a particular class as a Johnny-come-lately, they quickly outshine much of the competition. I would say that applies to this Sequoia in some respects.

The large sport utilities are coveted for their comforts, conveniences and versatility, so Toyota has obviously put a lot of effort into excelling on all these fronts. It wasn’t a stretch. Toyota is already a master at building vehicles that suit people’s needs and then icing the cake in very appealing ways.

Starting with a standard third seat, this Sequoia outdoes some of its competitors with simple thoughtfulness. For example, the middle seatbacks easily flop flat making third seat access a cinch. Even with the third seat, there is reasonable cargo room towards the rear.

Thorough safety measures, 10 cupholders, deep storage all over the place and the usual load of upscale extras on this Limited model give the Sequoia a user-friendly, extremely pleasant cabin.

“Pleasant” also applies to its ride quality and handling. Although based on a pickup, the Sequoia has been refined to make the ride much calmer. To me, it feels less a truck than the Tahoe or Expedition.

Like most Toyotas, this Sequoia is just plain easy to drive, even for its size. But it remains devoid of any particular personality. Even the transmission shift on the steering column instead of a sportier console-mounted shifter sends the mainstream message. And that suits a lot of people just fine.

The Sequoia comes in 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive. The latter allows shifting between two-high and four-high with a dash-mounted switch. Vehicle Skid Control that compensates for cornering skids and Traction Control are both standard safety systems that enhance stability. There is no low gear for serious off-roading.

The only available engine is a version of the Tundra’s 4.7-liter twin cam V8 producing 240 horses. This sophisticated engine hauls its significant load around with typical Toyota aplomb, smooth and unruffled. Toyota trumpets the fact this is their first SUV engine to be EPA-certified as ultra-low emission.

The Sequoia is also a handsome sport utility, if not radically distinctive. Its beefy exterior lines really flaunt its size, which is probably a good thing for the American market.

The Bad News
Even though the Sequoia’s engine surpasses the Ford Expedition’s basic 215-horse engine, it lags 35 horses behind the Chevy Tahoe’s 275. Both these competitors also offer more powerful engines as options, while Toyota is stuck with just this one.

This brings up issues of payload capacity and towing, considerations for many people shopping these big SUVs. Even though the Sequoia’s power can look impressive on paper, the fact remains that the basic Tahoe and Expedition eat its lunch in both hauling and towing. The Sequoia 4X4 tows 6200 pounds, while the Tahoe muscles 6900 and the Expedition, 7300. Of course, those numbers increase with the domestic SUVs’ larger, optional engines.

Given all the noise about gas prices and energy conservation these days, I would be remiss not to point out that, like others in its class, this 4-wheel drive Toyota gets 14 miles per gallon around town and 17 on the highway. That explains the large sucking sound you hear.

Price
Manufacturer’s base, $42,275;
Price as tested, $44,875

Is it worth it?
All of a sudden, I am very self-conscious about giving high marks to big gas-guzzling sport utilities. The Sequoia is a victim of unfortunate timing.

Consumption issues aside, I find this Sequoia to be a fine, if expensive, addition to the big sport utility class. It is a stylishly outfitted, very gentle giant, well suited to the carpooling/errand-running life most of these vehicles lead.

But if you’re looking for something more rugged to tow the camper, horse trailer or big boat or to accommodate your bronze sculpture business, you might think twice about this Sequoia’s shortcomings.

And, these days, Toyota might think twice about straying too far from its compact, economical, gas-sipping roots.

Beth Stein is a life-long car buff and free-lance journalist living in Nashville. She has reviewed new vehicles in print for 12 years as a weekly columnist for Nashville’s daily newspapers and on television for Road Test Magazine and Motor Trend Television. Currently, her reviews appear nationally on Car And Driver Television.