2010 Toyota Sequoia

 A Full Size SUV with Plenty of Room for Eight

The 2010 Sequoia is a full size SUV from Toyota's; it was redesigned for 2008, and has a few adjustments for 2010. The Sequoia is available with a choice of V-8 engines, including a new 4.6-liter V-8 and a more powerful 5.7-liter V-8. The 2010 Toyota Sequoia is a large SUV that is capable of towing a trailer while safely transporting the whole family in comfort. Eight-passenger seating is standard; Platinum seats seven. The Sequoia comes in three trim levels: SR5, Limited and Platinum. Competitors include the Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition and Nissan Armada. For 2010, the Sequoia gets standard driver and passenger knee airbags, Bluetooth and a USB port for MP3 players. The benefits of the Sequoia include its reclining third row, its large cabin space, its 10,000 pound towing capability, and the availability of luxury upgrades.  The downsides have to do with the sheer size of the Sequoia, which equals poor fuel economy and a slightly intimidating presence. The starting MSRP for 2010 is $38,530 - $58,905, and the Toyota Sequoia has an estimate duel economy of 19/14 mpg (highway/city). Standard safety features include driver and front passenger knee airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, and electronic stability control.

Sequoia Power

For 2010, the Sequoia gets a new base engine, the 4.6-liter i-Force V-8, which delivers 34 horsepower more than the previous version.  SR5 comes standard with the 4.6-liter V8 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Platinum and Limited come standard with the 5.7-liter V8 and six-speed automatic. A flex-fuel version is available for both engines. The Sequoia has a maximum tow rating of 10,000 pounds.

2010 Sequoia Design

The Sequoia sports a typical large SUV two-box shape. Like the Toyota Tundra pickup truck, the Sequoia gets a large chrome grille in the front. This generation Sequoia has gotten even bigger from previous models. Compared to the Chevy Tahoe, the new Sequoia is longer and wider with a longer wheelbase. It's actually designed to look tall and oversized, so as to project strength from a distance. The windshield angle is lower than before, accentuating bulk below the hood line, and larger high-mounted headlamps add an alert look to a cabin-forward design. The new design permits a drag coefficient of 0.35, respectable for a full-size truck. The rear doors now open 10 degrees wider for easier child passenger access. From the front bumper to the B-pillar, the Sequoia shares a lot of design features with the Tundra pickup, along with numerous drive train components. Parking sensors enable easier parking and aid in backing up safely.

Driving the Toyota

Driven empty, the Sequoia has an impressive reserve of torque. The 5.7L V8 makes most of its torque below 3600 rpm and acceleration is impressive. The 5.7-liter is Toyota's newest truck engine, so it is ULEV-II compliant. It's designed with four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust. Overall, the 5.7L shows how far engine technology has progressed at Toyota in just a few years. It's revealing that the bigger, cleaner, more powerful 5.7 V8 also gets better mileage. A good part of the mileage improvement is due to the six-speed electronically controlled transmission that comes with the optional 5.7L engine. Like the standard five-speed automatic, it's controlled by a shifter that allows sequential shifting, and has a lock-up torque converter for better towing efficiency and heat control. With the six-speed, there is a Tow/Haul mode that changes the shift points for heavy loads and long, uphill grades. Just like the Tundra, the Sequoia has a two-speed transfer case with 2.6:1 low range. Also like the Tundra, the front and rear differentials are larger than previous version. Besides its power, the Sequoia drives like its size; it really is a huge SUV.

Inside the Toyota Sequoia

 The Sequoia can accommodate up to eight people in its three rows of seats.  The second row slides out of the way when you lift a lever, making it easy to get to the third-row seats. The Sequoia is especially designed to make the third-row passenger seats more comfortable, and more useful, more like real seating for adults. To that end, the third row seats have almost as much leg room as the second-row seats, and have adjustability features rarely seen in eight-passenger SUVs. For those who often make use of the third row, the Sequoia's standard interior layout is better than many SUVs. For those who find seven passenger space suitable, the Sequoia is available with Captain's chairs in the second row, which shifts the priority to second-row passenger comfort. The 2010 Sequoia has ample cargo room behind the third row, and even more if you fold it down. It is a well-organized cargo area, even having tow hooks that can hang grocery bags. There is an optional power full-flat mechanism for the third row seat that becomes standard in Limited models. The dash is simple, with two central gauges, speedometer and tachometer, flanked by fuel, temperature and voltage gauges. For 2010, both Bluetooth and an audio USB port are included as standard equipment.

Summary


For the Toyota Sequoia lineup, the SR5 ($34,150) is the entry grade and it comes standard with tri-zone air conditioning, power windows locks and back window, keyless entry, and eight-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with a plug for iPod compatibility, tilt steering, cruise control, spare tire, and mud guards. Limited ($45,225) adds heated, leather trimmed seats, upgrades the driver's seat to 10-way adjustable, and adds leather trim to the steering wheel, seats, and gearshift knob. The rear 60/40 third row seat is power operated. The dash is upgraded with brighter Optitron gauges and a multi-information display, and the JBL Synthesis audio system includes Bluetooth capability. The Limited also includes a roof rack, fog lamps, running boards and parking sonar system. Platinum grade ($52,375) comes with the bigger engine plus 20-inch alloy wheels, a rear load-leveling suspension, a memory feature for the power seats, which are heated and air conditioned in the front. Second-row seats are heated buckets, converting the interior to seven-passenger capacity, and the navigation system with backup camera is standard with Platinum. Visit the official 2010 Sequoia site for more research.  The exterior also includes a rear spoiler, power back door, sunroof, and headlamp cleaner. Toyota's Star safety system comes standard on all trims.