2014 Toyota Sequoia Review

"Nibby" (nibby68) 02/26/2014 at 12:24 • Filed to: CAR REVIEWS

3

24

What is it?

2014 Toyota Sequoia SR5 4WD. The only option it has is the Premium Package, which has heated power leather seats, navigation. It's a large body-on-frame SUV with seating for 8 (SR5 and Limited models; Platinum has 7 cause it has a center-console in the 2nd row).

The 2007-2013 Tundra and Sequoia are very similar inside and out and share a lot of components. Not sure if Toyota is continuing the Sequoia after 2014 or is making a new one based on the redesigned 2014 Tundra.

Length: 205.1"
Wheelbase: 122"
Width: 79.9"
Height: 77"
Weight: 5985 lbs
Ground clearance: 10"

Engine: 5.7-Liter i-FORCE V8 DOHC 32-Valve with Dual Independent Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i); 381 hp @ 5600 rpm; 401 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i); sequential shift mode and uphill/downhill shift logic; TOW/HAUL Mode

Drivetrain: Multi-Mode 4WD with Torsen ® limited-slip center differential with locking feature (4x4 only)

Interior cargo volume: 120.1/66.6/18.9

Exterior

It looks a bit weird. I don't dislike it, but I don't think I like it very much. The big grille is aggressive but those headlights are typical Toyota. I do like how it looks from the side and rear. There aren't many good looking SUVs/crossovers on the market today IMO, but then again, my idea of a good looking truck is a last-gen Ford Bronco.

Visibility is good overall and there aren't any blindspots. The side mirrors are *huge* and help out a lot. Mine's a bit dirty at the moment, but the brown paint (Pyrite Mica) looks very nice when it is clean.

Interior and Utility

This is one area where the truck shines, though it does have a few flaws. The instrumentation is easy to read at night and clear. The buttons make sense, though there's a lot of them. The steering wheel controls work fine but the audio controls are opposite of what they should be... up and down to change tracks... instead of left and right. The cruise control, wiper and lighting stalks are the same ones Toyota uses in many of their other vehicles.

As with everything with this car, the dashboard is ENORMOUS. The center console itself is huge and it's pretty evident that it is a middle seat in Tundras with front bench seats. The driver and front passenger are in separate zip codes. The shifter is in a nice position and the handle is tall so that you can rest your right arm on the console and your hand on the knob while driving with your left hand. The radio and navigation buttons are a bit far and smaller drivers (like me, I'm 5'5") will have to stretch to use them. But most of the audio functions can be controlled via the steering wheel. One of my favorite features is the rear window can be opened/closed with a button. The layout didn't take much getting used to for me compared to some other interior layouts... I'm still trying to get used to the Fusion's Sync system and button layout nearly a year later. The leather seats are high quality leather and soft to touch. They're very comfortable on long drives, more on that on the ride section. There are some ergonomical issues with the button layout but a lot of other Toyota vehicles suffer from the same issue.

One of the biggest (get it? tee hee) reasons my family got this is cause it has a LOT of interior space. Not that I need the 3rd row but I've already moved someone into a new place with their box spring, mattress, table, and clothes in one go. Will also be handy for woodworking projects. The legroom in the 2nd row equals that of fullsize luxury cars... and even the 3rd row legroom is decent. You can fit 3 adults in the 3rd row comfortably, something not many large SUVs other than the Suburban and its variants can do. There are TONS of storage containers scattered throughout the cabin as well as plenty of cupholders. The 3rd row is power folding/reclining and each seat in the 2nd row can be folded individually. All 2nd and 3rd row seats fold flat. You can manually recline the 2nd row seats too. Lots of airbags for safety.

Drivetrain and Handling

The engine is smooth and acceleration is quite brisk. 0-60 is around 6.5 seconds. Passing is effortless and the truck feels stable at 80. The 6 speed automatic is fine and it doesn't mess around looking for gears. Shifts are smooth. I'm getting 13-15 mpg city and 17-18 highway. Last weekend I drove nearly 700 miles and averaged 17.9 mpg.

It handles how you'd expect for a large truck-based SUV. You won't be zipping through small spaces nor will you be cutting corners but it'll turn for you. The steering is predictable and light... if not, a bit too light at times. The turning radius is better than you'd expect but still be prepared to make more manuevers than you would in a... Honda Accord or something.

It has 3 settings: 2WD, 4-Hi, and 4-Lo, all controlled by a knob. You can engage the center differential lock in 4-hi and lo. It snowed 14" a couple weeks ago and it went through it like it was nothing. The tires are Bridgestone Dueler all terrains, similar to the ones I had on the 2011 Wrangler the Seq replaced. Towing capacity is just over 7,000 pounds.

Ride

I'd dare even say it is as comfortable as a luxury car. The seats are good and supportive on long drives, the ride is controlled. You only remember its truck-based roots (comfort wise), when you drive on uneven, rough, or unpaved surfaces. Plenty of space and legroom for all 8 passengers.

Brakes

They work quite well for something of this size. It requires 127 feet to stop from 60mph. The brake feel is a bit vague.

Audio

The Entune system is considerably better than previous Toyota audio systems (My sister has a 2010 Prius and the iPod menu is complete crap). The sound quality is very good too. It has satellite radio, many AM/FM presets, CD, and AUX/USB ports. The engine is quiet and reserved but once you get it past 3,000 RPM it comes roaring to life with a mighty sound that only a large V8 can emit.

Toys

There's plenty to do in here. The 3rd row seats are power folding/reclining which is pretty cool. The 2nd row has manually adjustable recline and there is 3 zone climate control: driver, passenger, 2nd and 3rd rows. There is a "mommy mirror" on the overheard console that lets you keep an eye whats going on in the backseats. USB/AUX/iPod/mp3 player support, power rear window, sunroof. A couple things that I wish it had (but are standard on the Platinum) is a built-in inverter and heated rear seats. Minor complaints. The Entune system has navigation, smartphone app support (things like Yelp, Facebook Places, etc.) satellite radio, and bluetooth support.

Verdict

I like it a lot so far, it's been about a month and a half. It drives nice, certainly isn't sporty but it is quick and has lots of torque. It can be hard to park in smaller spaces but that's expected. The interior is pretty nice and roomy. Rides comfortably. Well-equipped too.

Pros: Roomy, comfortable, quick acceleration and good brakes, dat power rear window

Cons: Poor gas consumption, steering can be vague at times

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibby 02/26/2014 at 12:39

1

You aren't kidding about the space. I rode in a 4 door tundra last time I was in moab, and I had my bike backpack, a hole bunch of camera gear and some food at my feet in the passenger seat and I still felt lost in space, with no loss of usable space from the 3 comfortable people behind me. Enormous is almost too small a word.

It will be interesting how Toyota responds to the increases in Fuel economy that this and the Tunrda need to stay alive in an ever tightening segment. The new Tundra will get the 5.0 cummins V8 that the Titan is getting, but I doubt we will see it as an option here. They are going to have to do something to reign in the thirst though.

Milky > Nibby 02/26/2014 at 12:42

0

Such driver focus, wow.

HammerheadFistpunch > Milky 02/26/2014 at 12:46

0

its has something of the familiar about it

Milky > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 12:55

0

Yea, its pretty much a sports car.

Nibby > Milky 02/26/2014 at 13:05

1

It's GROUNDED TO THE GROUND

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 13:05

0

A start would be using cylinder deactivation. Find ways to lose weight too...

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibby 02/26/2014 at 13:10

0

Or maybe a final drive that takes better advantage of the torque of that engine. a 4.30:1 final is crazy.

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 13:12

0

My cousin joked that he could fit his Wrangler in there.

Have you been in the new Tundra yet?

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibby 02/26/2014 at 13:14

0

nothing new about it aside from a few cosmetic changes.

Nibby > HammerheadFistpunch 02/26/2014 at 13:17

0

Same engines and whatnot... seems you're right. Just a few new interior standard features, new interior, exterior refresh.

HammerheadFistpunch > Nibby 02/26/2014 at 13:24

0

The new Tunrda is supposed to debut next year (with the cummins engine). Im kind of hoping they give us a toned down iForce, something like a 5.0 and drop the 4.7 entirely (which is bombproof but OLD) 360 hp and 380 ft-lbs wound be enough, and with direct injection It should be possible.

The 2UR-GSE in the IS-F is a 5 liter direct injected engine in the same family (UR), all you would need to do is make it a narrow angle FSE head and add D-S4 direct injection and retune for truck use. The 1UR-FSE is a 4.6 liter version and its producing 380 hp and 370 ft-lbs already. In fact you could use the 1UR-FSE heads and injection system strait across and use the 2UR block since they share bore centers and bore, but the 2UR is stroked out. easy peasy.

The Biebster's got a P71 (Formerly not Justin Bieber) > Nibby 02/27/2014 at 15:42

0

If I was going to get a premium large SUV, the Sequoia would be the first one I would look at. I love the Tundra.

rdkev > Nibby 02/28/2014 at 01:44

0

Fugly

Carwood > Nibby 02/28/2014 at 13:00

0

Land Cruiser does too..WHAAAT?

Nibby > Carwood 03/02/2014 at 22:46

0

The LC is more luxurious than the Seq, but it also is nearly twice the price. They have the same engine. The LC, while still a big vehicle, is noticeably smaller. The Seq offers more interior space.

Nibby > Nibby 03/02/2014 at 22:47

0

Hey I just noticed that Andrew Collins posted this to Truck Yeah. Thank you! Hopefully people will find it helpful.

BigAsn > Nibby 03/02/2014 at 23:52

1

I checked out the new Land Cruiser and Sequoia back to back at the DC Auto Show. To just say the Sequoia offers more interior space is an understatement. It's significantly more spacious. Which is weird, because they're not that far apart in exterior size, or at least don't seem so in person. I've always loved the LC, but if I had to buy either one of them new today, it would be the Sequoia. It just seemed like you get more of everything without giving up capability, and at like half the price of the LC. Toyota is being very lazy with the LC.

Nibby > BigAsn 03/03/2014 at 00:14

0

The Seq is a couple inches wider and taller... and is more than 10" longer.

BigAsn > Nibby 03/03/2014 at 00:18

0

It doesn't seem much larger in person. Even so, the difference on the outside isn't as great as the difference inside. It's a world of difference in space.

Nibby > BigAsn 03/03/2014 at 09:03

0

The 2nd and 3rd row legroom is pretty big too.

Niceh > Nibby 05/15/2014 at 03:00

0

if you had the choice to buy the Limited version what accessories would you add on?

Nibby > Niceh 05/15/2014 at 09:12

0

I wouldn't spend the extra money on a Limited. The SR5 with premium package is fine for me.

The Real Dacia Sandero > Nibby 05/15/2014 at 15:31

0

It sucks they ruined the steering. I learned to drive in my mom's 2003 Sequoia, and my favorite thing was the steering. It was heavy in a way that communicated the weight of the car, without being unnecessarily heavy. You knew what you were working with. Compared to the suburbans and other suvs I've driven where it feels like the steering relays to the front wheels via telegram, it was a world of difference.

Nibby > The Real Dacia Sandero 05/15/2014 at 15:36

0

I

don't mind the light steering actually...