First Drive: 2008 Sequoia

[Thai]

Link: http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/d...Id=123421?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..2.*

2008 Toyota Sequoia 4dr SUV

First Impressions:
Arguably the most useful, most refined and easiest-to-drive full-size SUV ever built, the 2008 Toyota Sequoia will keep a large family from being forced to adapt to a fleet of Priuses

Featured Specs
4.7-liter or 5.7-liter V8
10,000-pound tow rating
Independent rear suspension
Fold-flat 60/40 third-row seat
Seats 7 or 8

 

[Gromulus]

IRS

Oh no - just as we feared: IRS.

Oh well, let's hope the soccer moms gravitate to the Sequoia and that Toyota leaves the 4Runner with a live rear axle and doesn't diminish it's capabiltties.

I guess the Sequoia can now better compete with the Expedition and other extra large tow-mobiles and better serves the basic (minivan replacement functions) that buyers of this class vehicle are interested in.

Besides, who takes vehicles this big off-road much anyhow.

 

[bsl888]

Better looking than the new Land Cruiser. Those tires, 275/55-20, are too skinny. Minimum 285's for a SUV of this size.

 

[Pirate VI]

Much nicer looking than all the other new Toyota suvs and the old one. I really like this. I cant wait to see it in person. This gives me a little hope for the next gen 4runner. ( dont like that orange leather though)

 

[juneau92]

I think this is a nice looking vehicle. Gotta love that big V8 option! Now if Toyota would only make a diesel engine optional, I might (I said might) jump ship from my beloved 4Runner.

 

[Thai]

So, this thing can tow as much as the new Tundra...yet has a FULLY BOXED FRAME...i wonder why?? Oh yeah, i remember now, it's because Toyota cut costs on the Tundra! Triple tech frame my ass!

I do think that THIS Sequoia will be a great buy! The rear end is only OK, but the rest of the exterior looks great! The interior is pretty damn nice. There seems to be a lot of room behind the 3rd row seat which is a big plus compared to the current Sequoia.

 

[MAC4Runner]

Me Likey! :biggrin2:

Might be my wife's next ride............

 

[Net4n6]

I like the interior. Lots better the older generation. The front looks like infinity QX.

 

[dwulffusa]

I have been so eagerly anticipating the wraps coming off the 08, and I have to say I am a little dissapointed. For most part its great, love the front 3 quarter view, but there's one area of the styling the just looks 'wrong' - the end of the rear most window doesnt flow with the angle of the more upright tailgate. Why do this?. The soft angle of the window makes it look soft and girlie, and then you see the pinched triangular tailights, no bigger than a highligher and, well blah!!! I guess it wont stick out that much in a dark colour. I also would have liked them to keep the black surround around the rear tailgate window as it looked like it was in the spy shots.

This soft rear window thing, lines not mathing up got me thinking, I have seen this before:
The new Suzuki XL-7?, or perhaps they took cue from the new CRV?, or perhaps the current Merc ML which has gentle curves all round, except the dead straight one on the rear door 3 quarter light window. Check out pics of these cars, you'll see what I mean.

Ok after that rant, its still on my list, coz I dont think I can wait for the next gen 4Runner.

 

[Thai]

This soft rear window thing, lines not mathing up got me thinking, I have seen this before

You're right...it's on all the new Toyota SUVs, including the new Land Cruiser.

 

[dwulffusa]

In general I am getting a little frustrated with the soft look of all the new Toyota's - they seem to be catering too much to blending in with American bloated designs. The 4R is going to be the last one standing with actual edges in the body panels, and the only SUV the standard proper fender flares - I cant imagine how out of place this would look on a new Cruiser, but the old one looks naked without them!

 

[SciRunner]

IMO, Toyota messed up the C-pillar. I always thought the first gen Sequoia resembled a bigger 4Runner because of the C-pillar design (narrow top, wider bottom. The Gen2 Sequoia doesn't have that distinction and thus the side profile looks like a really big minivan. I hope the new 4Runner retains the distinctive c-pillar design.

 

[GatorGreg]

dont like that orange leather though

Me neither, hopefully they'lll have some nicer interior colors to choose from.

I'm amazed at all the newly redesigned SUVs Toyota is putting out in the same '08 model year (Highlander, LC, and Sequoia - not to mention the Lexus LX 570). And since they already did the RAV4 last year, I guess this means they can concentrate on the 5th gen 4Runner now

 

[Pirate VI]

the only SUV the standard proper fender flares - I cant imagine how out of place this would look on a new Cruiser, but the old one looks naked without them!

I think the new land cruiser and sequoia look unfinished without body molding and fender flares. I don't know why they are not putting them on, even my bottom of the line 98 rav4 has them.

 

[iRCaDiKz]

2008 Toyota Sequioa

What do u guys think?
looks nice...

 

[loudog2]

My first thought is "boy that looks like the Infiniti QX56". Then you would have to wonder. What is the next 4runner going to look like, if every model is getting the same make over.

From the way that interior picture looks, I don't think my girlfriend could smack me from the passenger seat. It looks wide.

 

[JB.]

Here's an interesting quote: "Four-wheel-drive Sequoias again have Toyota's four-wheel traction control system, but we're told it has been reprogrammed to allow more wheelspin in off-road situations."

Have no idea what the purpose is, though. Maybe 'cause the sound scares the daylights out of many people.

Thai?

 

[robsrunner]

Looks like the new Tundra with a shell.

If you have test driven a Tundra the interior looks almost the same. I'm sure they share many components as the new Sequioa is built on the new Tundra chasis. The new Toyota's body styles are looking more "Americanish". Big, square, big engines, you definately know they're trying to rope in the big truck/SUV market. I think it could be sucessful as long as gas prices don't get to crazy. I also hope they've ironed out the bugs the new Tundra's have if it indeed shares the same engines and transmissions. I'd give it a few years to get the bugs out.

I imagine the new 4 Runner will be squarish too. I live down the street from Corp Toyota in Torrance so we see alot of mock-ups driving around. I saw the new Land Crusier the other day. My lease (07 Sport) is up in 2010 so there will be some decisions to be made.

 

[benk777]

Man, from that perspective, the center console looks big enough for me to bend my wife over it, but probably too big for her to lean over it while driving. Did I just say that out loud. This work week has been way too long!

Ben

 

[Jaebster]

From the 1st picture, I was thinking it kinda looks like the Ford Excursion.