RSS
Home
Road Test: 2009 Toyota Sequoia Platinum car review; Big on seats and more
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
The seats say it all about the Toyota Sequoia: They’re big, wide and comfy. Everything else beyond that point is just details. So if you’re after the veriest of very basics you can stop reading now. On the other hand, we’ll bet you’d like to know more, so here goes.
The 2009 Toyota Sequoia is the second generation of this full-sized sport-utility vehicle. Gen one arrived in 2000 followed by the current generation beginning with the 2008 model year. The second generation is bigger than the first and more powerful with a choice of V-8 engines, with a standard 4.7-liter or an all-new for 2008 5.7-liter V-8 shared with the Toyota Tundra.
The new 5.7-liter has dual overhead camshafts, each independently variable to optimize valve timing and hence power, maxing at a hearty 381 horsepower with a trailer-tugging 401 lb-ft of torque. Did someone mention trailering? The Sequoia can be configured to tow 10,000 pounds (SR5, 2WD), its trailer hitch integrated into the frame as a single unit. That’s five tons, for those who are counting. We earlier had a chance to tow a large boat trailer—complete with boat—with a 5.7-liter-equipped Sequoia and will confirm that it justifies its existence for those with towing on their agenda.
For more photos, including a look inside, click on slide show below.
Part of the 5.7-liter’s capability comes from a new for ’08 smooth-shifting six-speed heavy-duty transmission with a tow/haul mode. For extra mileage this transmission has lock-up in four and fifth gears as well as sixth. Our tester also came with four-wheel drive, controlled by a twist-knob on the dash.
Our test 2009 Toyota Sequoia was a top-of-the-line Platinum, outfitted almost well enough to rival Toyota’s senior partner, the center stack in glossy piano black with the driver’s control area in silver metallic with chrome-color rings around the Optitron gauges. The remainder of the dash was finished in a rich-looking pebble-grain plastic with a moderately soft-touch feel.Leather-trimmed seating is standard on all three rows in the Platinum trim level. The front seats are heated and air-conditioned and the second row heated.
The middle row is a pair of individual seats, and grading on the curve we’ll give them a B+ to the front row’s A. However, the third row, nominally seating three, is only a well-upholstered step above steerage for anyone approaching average adult proportions. The seat cushions are hard and flat and even with the adjustable second row seats moved forward, leg room is at a premium. A recline feature for the third row is poor comfort. Our advice: Save this wayback for the kids.
The rear seatbacks do power-fold, however, for easier cargo loading. That’s good because cargo room is limited behind the third row seats. The liftgate on the Platinum level is power operated and the rear window opens, with “express” up and down. We’re not certain why the Sequoia has this feature—we’ve always been told that driving with the rear window open can draft exhaust into the cabin—but it’s there for whom it’s needed.
A navigation system is standard on the Sequoia Platinum, the screen also used for the backup camera which is angled to make hooking up a trailer easier. We tried it. It’s true.
The comfy interior is a matched by an un-truck-like (if not car-like) ride, even with the adjustable suspension set on “sport.” Don’t let “sport” mislead. The ride is comfortable enough to leave on all the time. It’s due largely to the all-new for 2008 fully independent suspension with upper and lower A-arms at each end, replacing the truckish-ride producing live rear axle. However at no time should the handling be considered “sporty.” It goes around corners like the tall vehicle it is.
All Sequoias are equipped with the full range of safety equipment offered on all Toyota SUVs, including stability control, traction control on both two and four-wheel drive models, electronic brake force distribution, and brake assist. All Sequoias are equipped with driver and front passenger side airbags with full-length roll over-activated side curtain airbags.
The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota Sequoia fuel mileage with the 5.7-liter V-8 at 13/18 mpg city/highway. During the Sequoia’s stay with us, we recorded 14.9 mpg on the trip
meter for mixed ex-urban driving. It’s hardly a fuel economy king but considering the Toyota Sequoia’s bulk and indeed its capabilities, it’s a not unimpressive number.
meter for mixed ex-urban driving. It’s hardly a fuel economy king but considering the Toyota Sequoia’s bulk and indeed its capabilities, it’s a not unimpressive number.Also not unimpressive is the price. Signing the dotted line for our test 2009 Toyota Sequoia Platinum means a base price of $55,600. Add the "Cold Kit"--windshield wiper deicer and heavy duty battery--carpeted floor mats/door sill protector, adn cargo net, plus $685 delivery and the total jumps to $58,724.
Summing up the 2009 Toyota Sequoia Platinum is going to sound like a local low-budget TV ad: Big on size, big on comfort, and able to do big things. Oh, and did we mention it has big seats?
Illustrations: 2009 Toyota Sequoia Platinum. All photos courtesy Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc.
| Base price | $55,600 |
| Power liftgate, express up/down power rear window | std |
| Cruise control | std |
| Headlamp cleaners | std |
| Infrared ray cut glass windshield | std |
| Dual chrome power remote heated outside mirrors, retractable w/ turn signals | std |
| Electrochromatic inside rearview mirror | std |
| Front and rear parking sonar | std |
| Sun shades (rear side and rear quarter windows | std |
| Seven passenger seating (2nd row with center console) | std |
| Heated/air conditioned driver and front passenger seats | std |
| Second row heated seats | std |
| Navigation system with backup camera | std |
| Power tilt/slide sunroof | std |
| Power tilt/telescoping steering wheel | std |
| Cold kit (windshield wiper deicler and heavy duty battery | $100 |
| Carpeted fkor mats/door sill protector | $290 |
| Cargo net | $49 |
| Delivery | $685 |
| Total | $58,724 |
| Engine | 5.7-liter/381-hp DOHC 32-valve V-8 |
| Displacement, cc | 5663 |
| Compression ratio | 10.2:1 |
| Horsepower @ rpm | 381 @ 5600 |
| Torque, lb-ft @ rpm | 401 @ 3600 |
| Recommended fuel | Regular 87-octane |
| Fuel economy, EPA city/hwy, mpg | 13/18 |
| Fuel economy, observed. mpg | 14.9 |
| Drivetrain as tested | 4x4, 6-speed automatic transmission |
| Suspension, front/rear | Double A-arm ind./Double A-arm ind. |
| Brakes, front, disc type, diameter, in. | Ventilated disc, 13.9 |
| Brakes, rear, disc type, diameter, in. | Ventilated disc, 13.6 |
| Wheel, size, in., type | 8.0 x 20, alloy |
| Tire size | P275/55R70 |
| Dimensions and capacities | |
| Length, in. | 205.1 |
| Width, in. | 79.9 |
| Height, in., with roof racks | 77.0 |
| Wheelbase, in. | 122.0 |
| Cargo volume, cu ft, max to min. | 120.1; 66.6; 18.9 |
| Curb Weight, lbs | 6000 |
| Towing capacity, lbs | 8.800 |
You might also enjoy these:
Be a subscriber. It's free. Click on "subscribe" below.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
There are three questions people ask about the Nissan Altima Hybrid and for them we have four answers. The questions are, of course, what is it like …
Take that, reputation of cheap and chintzy. We almost tried to start the engine but realized the it was running--thanks, Mr. Tachometer--just before …
- 2010 Reviews
- 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
- 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS
- 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
- 2010 Ford Taurus Limited AWD
- 2010 Ford Taurus SHO
- 2010 Hyundai Elantra SE
- 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track
- 2010 Kia Forte
- 2010 Lexus HS 250h
- 2010 Lexus IS 350 C
- 2010 Lexus RX350
- 2010 Lexus RX 450h
- 2010 Mazda CX-7 i Sport
- 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
- 2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata
- 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4Matic
- 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster
- 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S
- 2010 Toyota Prius
- 2010 Toyota Prius II
- 2009 Reviews
- 2009 Acura TSX
- 2009 Audi A4 Avant 2.0T quattro
- 2009 Audi A6 3.0 TSFI
- 2009 BMW 135i Coupe
- 2009 BMW Z4 sDrive 3.5i
- 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 4WD
- 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5 1LT
- 2009 Chevrolet Kodiak pickup truck
- 2009 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
- 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
- 2009 Chevrolet Traverse FWD LTZ
- 2009 Dodge Journey SXT AWD
- 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Quad 4x4
- 2009 Ford Fiesta
- 2009 Ford Flex Limited AWD
- 2009 Ford Fusion SEL I-4
- 2009 GMC Acadia SLT-2
- 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
- 2009 Honda Fit Sport w/Nav
- 2009 Honda Ridgeline RTL
- 2009 Hyundai Genesis 3.8
- 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible
- 2009 Infiniti M45x
- 2009 Jaguar XF Premium Luxury
- 2009 Jaguar XKR Porfolio Coupe
- 2009 Jeep Patriot Limited 4x4
- 2009 Kia Borrego
- 2009 Kia Borrego EX 4x4
- 2009 Land Rover LR3
- 2009 Lincoln MKZ
- 2009 Lotus Exige S 260 Sport
- 2009 Lotus Exige S
- 2009 Maserati Quattroporte S
- 2009 Mazda Mazda6 s Grand Touring
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4Matic
- 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300
- 2009 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS 4WD
- 2009 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring
- 2009 Nissan 370Z Sport
- 2009 Nissan Murano SL AWD
- 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z
- 2009 Pontiac G6 4-cyl
- 2009 Pontiac G8
- 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP
- 2009 Pontiac Vibe AWD
- 2009 Porsche Boxster RS60
- 2009 Saturn Aura XR 4-cyl
- 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid
- 2009 Scion xB
- 2009 Subaru Legacy 3.0R Limited
- 2009 Suzuki SX4 Crossover AWD Technology
- 2009 Toyota 4Runner Sport Urban Runner
- 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Highlander/Hybrid
- 2009 Toyota Matrix XRS
- 2009 Toyota RAV4 Limited 4-cyl. 4WD
- 2009 Toyota Sequoia Platinum
- 2009 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD
- 2009 Toyota Venza 4-cyl. AWD
- 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI
- 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan
- 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 4Matic
- 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI
- 2008 Reviews
- 2008 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell
- 2008 Bentley Continental GT
- 2008 BMW X6 xDrive 5.0i
- 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
- 2008 Kia Amanti
- 2008 Lexus IS-F
- 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring PRHT
- 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X MR
- 2008 Nissan Cube JDM
- 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line
- 2008 Scion xD
- 2008 Volkswagen Passat Turbo
- 2008 Volkswagen Toureg V8
- 2008 Volvo XC70 3.2
- 2008 Volvo XC70 D5
- 1971 Honda N600
