2005 Toyota Sequoia

All it takes is a drive past any elementary school right before the kids get out to remind yourself that sport utility vehicles remain a stout bastion of the American car business. From the very first moment some returning GI bought a surplus Jeep and his wife stitched up a better set of seat covers, the sport ute biz has been on an upward crank, and the Toyota Sequoia is one of the collective American families' favorites.

The Sequoia is a statement of assured capabilities, a no-nonsense product of the highest order.

It's easy to see why somebody would like this thing. It's even easier to see why almost nobody would ever dislike it. There's almost nothing not to like.


Toyota has hammered a reputation for product thoroughness, and the Sequoia is a chiseled example. From the outside its styling tells our homeowners and family folks that it's secure and solid, a no-nonsense product of the highest order of competence, reliability, durability and common sense. There's nothing frivolous about this at all. It's a statement of assured capabilities, and while it's certainly an amply sized thing, it's not as large as a Suburban or such. Not being quite that big probably adds to its appeal.


There are two trim levels, the SR5, which more than defines "well-equipped," and the Limited, which adds more luxury and convenience features than you can probably remember how to operate. Each is available with either two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The major standard items include: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC), anti-lock brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), dual-zone front and rear digital climate control, power front captain's chairs, second- and third-row seats that do all the expected flip/fold/tumble/recline functions, auxiliary power outlets, anti-theft, deluxe 3-in-1 audio system with six speakers, and all the usual power assists. You'll have to hit the Toyota website to figure out all the choices.

The Sequoia's powertrain is as slick as warm butter sliding off a stack of pancakes.

Under the hood the 4.7-liter, dohc, 32-valve V8 - one of the nicest on the road—has received variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and an electronic throttle control system, which combine for an increase in horsepower from 240 to 282 and torque from 315 lb-ft to 325. There's a new five-speed automatic, which is both smoother and more efficient, and contributes to projected fuel economy numbers of 15 mpg city and 18 mpg highway.