2008 Toyota Sequoia Review

It seems that even though fuel prices are going up and the birth rate in America is going down, the full-size SUV segment is still doing well for itself. Why? Well it’s probably because of SUVs like the all-new 2008 Toyota Sequoia which is available with two different engines, more interior space, a bold new look, and a well-supported ride. Taking your 2.5 kids and their friends to hockey practice has never been so cool.

At first glance, the Sequoia looks a lot like the new Tundra, which is no coincidence. The two vehicles are practically identical in front of the A-pillars. Like the smaller Highlander crossover, the Sequoia is yet another representation of Toyota’s Vibrant Clarity design language, which encompasses smooth-flowing curves and harmonious lines. You can find this in just about every Toyota product from the Yaris and Camry, to the new Corolla and Matrix. Its attention-grabbing trapezoidal radiator grille along with a uniquely designed four-beam headlamp casing and front and rear fenders look strong and athletic. It has a confident road presence and looks aggressive – though not too aggressive. It gets my two thumbs up in the style department.


From the inside, Vibrant Clarity also has a ‘large’ presence. This thing is physically huge! The cabin is spacious and open, creating a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere. Plus, the Sequoia can seat up to 8 adults comfortably, two up front, three in the middle, and yes, three in the third row. All the seats in the ‘08 Sequoia “have been enlarged compared to the previous generation, taking advantage of the new model’s more spacious design to provide comfortable accommodation for a 6′3” adult in every seating position. The shape of the seats has been refined to increase comfort, and headrests have been fitted for all seating surfaces.” Now there’s no excuse not to get in the back seat of the Sequoia! And when both the 2nd and 3rd row seats (the 3rd row being power-folding with the push of a button) aren’t in use, there is over 120.8 cubic feet of cargo room behind the 1st row to store whatever your heart desires, or whatever can fit.

Sitting inside the Sequoia, whether it was the base SR5 model or the 2 premium models - the Limited or Platinum – shows that this is more like a Lexus than a Toyota. Visibility is superb thanks to a lower/deeper rear window that enables more to be seen while driving, parking or backing up. As mentioned above, the Sequoia has a welcoming atmosphere in all seating positions. It’s big, but not agoraphobic big. It is still possible to carry on a conversation in the back seat with those in the front seats unless the DVD player is on and the only talking usually heard are those from the voices from the speakers.

Between those three trim levels are two different engines, which just so happen to be identical to the Tundra. The standard engine on the SR5 is the 4.7-liter, 32-valve, DOHC V8 featuring variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), enabling a maximum of 276 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and 313 lb-ft of torque at 3,400. For those who require more muscle for towing, or just savor swift acceleration, a 5.7L, 32-valve, DOHC V8 gets all-new dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is available on both the Limited and Platinum trims. This bigger and bolder engine produces 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.

I spent most of the my time with the Sequoia behind the wheel of a Platinum model, with the bigger V8. Although my time at the helm was quite limited, I enjoyed every minute and am anxious to take Toyota’s largest SUV out for another spin. Most of my driving time was on an off-road course, and it performed marvelously. This is a truck that’s not only built for muddy, dirty roads, but for city streets too. It’s also more comfortable than before thanks to a fully independent front and rear suspension system, which can be further upgraded to be adaptive (AVS).

Switching the Sequoia into off-road mode to tackle back country terrain requires little to no effort. Just pop the transmission into neutral at idle, flick the one-touch 4WD switch to 4-high or 4-low and you’re ready for the trails; despite having 20-inch wheels on all season tires, there’s plenty of grip. To achieve even more control in slippery situations, vehicle stability control (VSC) and active traction control (ATC) come standard. While most who purchase this vehicle won’t take it into foreign territory, it’s good to know that the Sequoia has the ability to rough it in the bush.


It may be big and it may be heavy, but the Sequoia is no slouch; it had more than enough power to get up and go in the city or on the highway. In addition, when accelerating the cabin enabled me to hear the grunt and roar of the V8 engine, but was tranquil enough that there was very little outside noise. The two-toned interior, which included saddle-colored leather, may not necessarily appeal to all, but it appealed to me. It was a rather odd combination of brown, black and silver accents, but I thought it was pretty groovy. I also loved the large and legible buttons that look funky and give the SUV a tougher, more outdoorsy feel even though it’s a rather upscale vehicle.

It’s also hard not to like the premium JBL stereo system, along with the DVD-based navigation system, not to mention the rear DVD entertainment system complete with a 9-inch LCD rear seat monitor and two sets of wireless headphones. Also included with the Platinum trim is a power back door, back-up camera, dynamic radar cruise control, 2nd row heated captain’s chairs (the Platinum model only seats 7 not 8 people due to the captain’s seats), perforated leather seating, and the list goes on.


Since the Platinum trim, along with the SR5 and Limited trims have a part-time 4WD system, they’re more fuel efficient than a full-time system would be, when left in rear-wheel drive mode. And speaking of fuel economy, the base 4.7-liter engine and its 5-speed automatic can travel 13 mpg in the city and 16 mpg on the highway, while the 5.7-liter with the 6-speed automatic travels 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. No, you didn’t read that wrong. The 5.7L engine does get better fuel economy on the highway and does almost as well in the city due to its dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) on both the intake and exhaust cams, and the extra forward gear. Both engines also carry a Tier 2/Bin 5 emissions rating, meaning that they aren’t as bad for the environment as people might think they are in terms of tailpipe emissions.

On the whole, I’m very pleased with the new 2008 Toyota Sequoia. For a full-size sport utility vehicle it’s one of the best I’ve tested, certainly leaving a positive impression. Then again, that’s no surprise. This is Toyota I’m talking about! I would expect nothing less.

Specifications (Sequoia Platinum):