What do you folks think of the Toyota Sequoia?

"Nibby" (nibby68) 01/03/2014 at 10:04 • Filed to: 4WD

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My parents want to rid the Wrangler and Prius and replace it with a capable 4WD SUV... they say they "need" 7 seats, but I really don't think we do. However, we need something with a ton of interior space regardless, which is probably what they really want. I suggested 4Runner, Sequoia, Tahoe, and Dodge Durango. I'm not really sold on the current-gen 4Runner, it just rubs me the wrong way. I don't mind the Sequoia at all and it has a locking differential and a real 4WD system (same for the 4Runner). I REALLY like the updated Durango but it's AWD (but you can put it in 4-lo if you get some package available only with the 5.7L). Every winter we get at least one 6" or more snow storm so a capable winter truck/SUV is a must.

What say you?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:09

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YOUR PARENTS ARE COMPLETELY WRONG ABOUT HOW TO GET 7 SEATS AND 4WD

For Sweden > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:10

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V8 Durango or GTFAC

Nibby > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/03/2014 at 10:10

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They'll NEVER buy a used car... and never buy a van.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:11

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You can get the Tahoe with a locking rear diff and a 2 speed active transfer case

Nibbles > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:12

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Jeep Grand Cherokee? 3.0 CRD?

Nibby > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 01/03/2014 at 10:13

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Yeah I suggested that... mom and I like the Tahoe but my dad doesn't for some reason...

Nibby > Nibbles 01/03/2014 at 10:14

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Nah, looked at it and my Forester has nearly the same interior space, surprisingly.

404 Name Not Found > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:15

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Do they need something new? I would recommend maybe a 04-05 LX470 or a LC. The design is timeless IMO.

Nibbles > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:15

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Huh, good to know. I thought it was nearly identical to the new Durango

getchapopcorn > Nibbles 01/03/2014 at 10:16

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I my first thought was this as well until I read they need interior space. Sadly the JGC doesn't really cut the mustard when it comes to that.

Nibby > For Sweden 01/03/2014 at 10:16

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I got it to the point that my dad says if we go for Durango, we go for R/T

Nibby > 404 Name Not Found 01/03/2014 at 10:16

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Yes, they'll NEVER buy a used car. And the LC/LX is definitely out of our budget.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:16

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Is it because it's not ugly like the Samsquanch?

Nibby > Nibbles 01/03/2014 at 10:17

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Yeah the Durango is essentially a stretched GC

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:17

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Wait until the new Tahoe's start rolling in and convince your dad to get a really good deal on the out going model.

Nibby > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 01/03/2014 at 10:17

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Can't wait past March. Lease is up and we'll have an overmileage issue if we extend it

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:18

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Those are still available new.

...just not in the US. They may be just a little bit Russian.

As to serious answers:

Not sure what to think of the Sequoia - it seems nice enough but looks really... Toyota.

Ford Expeditions might also go on the list. if not offering the actual metric ton of interior space the Excursion used to. LR3s are probably outside the price bracket. Your need/preference for real 4wd probably discounts Kia, though they're quite nice such as they are.

getchapopcorn > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:18

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Do what DeMuro did and get a used RR from carmax with the warranty. Or possibly, since you said you need the interior space and something that is unquestionably capable, look around for a Defender 110.

Nibby > getchapopcorn 01/03/2014 at 10:19

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No used cars and RRs aren't big inside.

BadMotorScooter > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:19

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I have family that works at the Toyota plant that builds the Sequoia. It is a very low volume vehicle, with most production going overseas (they are popular in the middle east apparently). Good truck, but priced too high for what it is, IMO. I think it is cramped for 7 seats.

From your choices I'd go with a Tahoe. But really, I'd suggest a Suburban. For very little more money you gain a lot of space and utility versus the Tahoe. Suburban is the all around most capable SUV (defined by modern American standards, which means hauling lots of stuff AND people, in comfort, devouring highway miles, and occasional light off road use, like 6" snow and slimy boat ramps) ever made.

Milky > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:20

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The Sequoia wasn't really great in 2007 IMO, so why you buy new now is confusing to me. I'd say Durango or wait a little bit and get one of the new GM SUVs. Also why is AWD a bad thing? I obviously don't know your parents but unless they're into off roading is there a difference in 4Wd vs AWD?

iDriveCode3 > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:20

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As someone who will be in the market shortly for a 7 seater (we're adopting a newborn this week and the Jetta Sportwagen will be getting cramped), I definitely want to see where your family lands.

Nibby > Milky 01/03/2014 at 10:25

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In snow and ice, yes... with a locking differential, you can have the rear wheels move at the same time which is a HUGE plus when driving on ice/deep snow

Nibby > BadMotorScooter 01/03/2014 at 10:25

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I WANTED A SUBURBAN BUT THEY SAID NO :_:

Leadbull > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:30

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My high school psychology teacher drove a Sequoia. He said it made great donuts.

Also, Land Cruiser.

Nibby > Leadbull 01/03/2014 at 10:32

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LC is too $$$ they start over $75k!

Nibbles > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:33

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Didn't know the Durango was bigger. Good info

Leadbull > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:35

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Ah. Sequoia, then.

Milky > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:39

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Ehh its not like it won't move under its own power, I think you're putting a lot of weight on one day a year it will be slightly less capable.

Nibby > Milky 01/03/2014 at 10:40

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At least several weeks a year.

davedave1111 > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:41

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Is a car capable of handling six inches of snow out of the question? If it's not, there are a few more options. If it is, how about one of the Kia/Hyundai equivalents to the Sequoia? I haven't driven or been in either, but if they're up to the standard of their recent small cars then they're definitely worth a look.

Depending on which version of the Sequoia your folks are looking at, it seems to me they might be well into German price-territory. The VW Touareg comes with a diesel for that kind of money, if economy is a factor.

Personally, in that kind of price range the one I'd get is a Volvo XC90, but that's not a particularly rational choice, it's just a bit less aggressively styled than most SUVs its size. It may also be a good choice rationally, I don't know.

Milky > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:47

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-_- I live in Michigan and have ONLY had RWD sports cars for the last 4 winters …. yea the one day a year I have to stay inside when we get a foot of snow in a day, the locking dif in a 4WD will be better than an AWD suv, otherwise I think they would be just fine.

Also it sounds good.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:47

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If your parents are looking at the Sequoia, they would be better off with the Land Cruiser. It's around the same price point once you start adding stuff and once they decide to pass it down you'll have a sweet trail ready rig.

Nibby > davedave1111 01/03/2014 at 10:48

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We had an XC90 and it was terrible in snow. Not the best AWD system around.

Kia/Hyundai, nah they'd never...

VW T is AWD and doesn't have a 3rd row and they're about ML sized. GL is too expensive.

Nibby > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 01/03/2014 at 10:53

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A Sequoia Platinum is around $61k or so and the LC *starts* at $78k. Huge difference there

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 10:57

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You'll be amazed at how quickly $61k becomes $75k when buying a car.

Nibby > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 01/03/2014 at 10:59

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That's a *fully* loaded Sequoia, not the base model.

davedave1111 > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 11:00

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The Swedes don't appear to have any trouble in the snow with XC90s. Bit surprised you did. Then again, Swedes don't have any trouble in the snow with any car...

Kia and Hyundai are definitely worth a look, unless they're determined to dismiss them based purely on uninformed prejudice. Not saying they have to buy one, but they should at least be open-minded enough to take a look, even a test drive. They'll definitely be surprised, and maybe even surprised enough to buy one.

Nibby > davedave1111 01/03/2014 at 11:05

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For Kia/Hyundai... FWD-based AWD = NOPE NOPE NOPE

Audi and Subaru have decent AWD systems and if only the Q7 wasn't so damn expensive...

My mom slid into a tree in the XC90, luckily it just dented the door a bit. Those are strong but the car could really benefit from a beefier engine. Too bad they discontinued the V8 (and they're not very roomy behind the 2nd row)

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 11:07

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Okay but you realize the difference between the LC and Sequoia is around $76 per month depending on how much they put down right?

Nibby > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 01/03/2014 at 11:10

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The extra money for the same fuel economy and a smaller car isn't worth it.

Milky > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 11:18

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Actually something I forgot about was the Q7, apparently it starts at only 47k & quattro.

http://www.audiusa.com/models/audi-q7

davedave1111 > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 11:19

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"For Kia/Hyundai... FWD-based AWD = NOPE NOPE NOPE"

I've never really had much experience, but does it matter? You don't really need power to all four wheels at all, so having it a bit ought to be enough, surely?

I don't know, it all seems a bit odd to me. If someone here wants a car that'll be good in snow, they buy a small, light FWD hatchback.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 11:29

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How about the Volkswagen Touareg?

A3R0 > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 11:54

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Land Rover LR3/LR4?

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 12:49

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But judging that you're driving a freaking Tundra... It is worth it.

Nibby > A3R0 01/03/2014 at 12:50

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Nah, too expensive and the interior is small length wise.

Nibby > CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) 01/03/2014 at 12:51

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Nope. Not 4WD and not enough seats.

Nibby > davedave1111 01/03/2014 at 12:53

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In a few inches of snow FWD is fine but on slopes and hills with turns (like my driveway) you need power on all wheels to go up my driveway in snow/ice.

Subaru has a nice video demonstrating something similar:

Nibby > Milky 01/03/2014 at 12:54

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I guess it would work.

davedave1111 > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 13:04

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Clever setup for the test, but of course not actually telling you anything about the drive systems. Most AWD works using a fluid coupling, and that takes a heavier foot to lock up. If the driver of any of those had put his foot down, they'd have made it up the ramp fine. They presumably carefully selected a throttle position where only the Subaru did well.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 13:37

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A friend of mine has parents who own a '12 Durango R/T. I love that SUV. it has decent snow capabilities, and can pull a heck of a lot more than the competition. It's wonderful in every way!
Although, I do like the sequoia a lot. like a lot . we had a really basic one rented for a road trip back in '09, and it was AH-MAH-ZING. they've probably updated it by now a bit, but I would definitely recommend it the same amount as the durango

A3R0 > Nibby 01/03/2014 at 13:54

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TheOnelectronic > Nibby 01/06/2014 at 04:04

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Glad to see I'm not the only ones with those kind of parents...

TheOnelectronic > Nibby 01/06/2014 at 04:05

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Some AWD systems, like Subaru's or Audi's, can lock some or all of the differentials. The STI can lock front, rear and center, while most 4WD trucks MAYBE have a rear locker.

I'd say AWD is better, since on the aforementioned cars, torque can be actively shifted around to make the best use of available traction.