Toyota Sequoia

Toyota Sequoia
2008 MY Toyota Sequoia (US)
Overview
Manufacturer	Toyota
Production	September 28, 2000–present
Model years	2001–present
Assembly	Princeton, Indiana, United States (TMMI)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size SUV
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Toyota Sequoia is a full-size SUV manufactured by Toyota and derived from its Tundra pickup truck.

Introduced in 2000 and manufactured at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana in Princeton, Indiana, the Sequoia is the first vehicle from a Japanese marque in the popular mainstream full-sized SUV class in North America, and initial planning done by first-generation Sequoia chief engineer Kaoru Hosegawa aimed the Sequoia directly at the Ford Expedition, also competing with the Chevrolet Tahoe and the later Nissan Armada.

The Sequoia slots in between the mid-size Toyota 4Runner and the premium Toyota Land Cruiser in the North American Toyota SUV lineup, and is the largest SUV currently being produced under the Toyota brand.

As of 2015, the Sequoia is sold in the United States (All regions), Bolivia, Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala, Chile, Mexico, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen in LHD only.

First generation (2000–2007)

First generation
Overview
Production	September 28, 2000–November 2007
Model years	2001–2007
Designer	Toshihiko Shirasawa (1997)
Body and chassis
Related	Toyota Tundra
Powertrain
Engine	4.7 L 240 hp (179 kW) V8 (2001-04) 4.7 L 282 hp (210 kW) V8 with VVT-i (2005) 4.7 L 273 hp (204 kW) V8 with VVT-i (2006-07)
Transmission	4-speed automatic (2001–04) 5-speed automatic (2005–07)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	118.1 in (3,000 mm)
Length	203.9 in (5,179 mm)
Width	2001–02 SR5 2WD: 76.0 in (1,930 mm) 2003–04: 78.0 in (1,981 mm) 2005–07: 78.9 in (2,004 mm) 2003–04 SR5 2WD: 76.4 in (1,941 mm)
Height	74.0 in (1,880 mm) 2003–04 Limited 2WD: 75.8 in (1,925 mm) SR5 4WD: 73.6 in (1,869 mm) Limited 4WD: 75.6 in (1,920 mm) Limited 2WD: 75.2 in (1,910 mm) 2005–07 SR5 2WD: 72.8 in (1,849 mm) 2003–04 SR5 2WD: 73.2 in (1,859 mm) 2003–04 Limited 4WD: 76.2 in (1,935 mm) 2001-02 2WD: 73.0 in (1,854 mm)

Development of a full-size SUV alongside a T100 replacement began in the mid-1990s, with a design freeze in 1997 (styled by Toshihiko Shirasawa) and design patent filing of the production design on April 4, 1998 at the Japan Patent Office (JPO) under #1054583. After the introduction of the Toyota Tundra in 1999, speculation started that Toyota intended to compete in the full-size market with a Tundra-based SUV called the Highlander. However, the Highlander name was used on a midsize Camry-based crossover and the Tundra-based SUV was introduced on January 11, 2000 at the North American Auto Show as the Toyota Sequoia, with full production starting on September 28, 2000 for the 2001 model year.

The engine, dashboard, sheetmetal, and chassis are shared with the Tundra, with the exception of rear disc brakes and a more sophisticated multi-link live axle rear suspension. The Sequoia was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award in 2001. When the Sequoia was introduced, it was slightly longer than the contemporary Land Cruiser, larger than the Chevrolet Tahoe in most dimensions and similar in size to the Ford Expedition; its V8 engine was certified as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle. Frame assemblies and driveshafts are produced by Dana Holding Corporation.

The Sequoia came in two trim levels: SR5 and Limited. The base SR5 started at $32,820 while the more expensive Limited started at $41,855. It was sold in both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions. Vehicle Stability Control was standard on all models.^[1]

Facelift

2005–2007 Toyota Sequoia Limited

For the 2005 model year, the Sequoia received a mild facelift. A new engine equipped with VVT-i was new for 2005, as well as a 5-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previous 4-speed. 4 wheel drive models got a Torsen center differential, replacing the previous open differential, that splits power in full-time mode 40% front and 60% rear under normal driving, and can send up to 53% to the front and 71% to the rear during slip. The grill was redesigned, and the orange lamps were removed from the taillights.

Towing Capacity for the 2005 model year:

• 2WD: 6,500 lb (2,948 kg)
• 4WD: 6,200 lb (2,812 kg)

Second generation (2008–present)

Second generation
Overview
Production	December 2007–present
Model years	2008–present
Designer	Motoharu Araya[2]
Body and chassis
Related	Toyota Tundra
Powertrain
Engine	4.7 L 2UZ-FE V8 08-09 276 hp (206 kW) 5.7 L 3UR-FE V8 381 hp (284 kW) 4.6 L 1UR-FE V8 310 hp (231 kW)
Transmission	5-speed automatic 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	122.0 in (3,099 mm)
Length	205.1 in (5,210 mm)
Width	2008–2010: 79.0, 79.8 in (2,007, 2,027 mm) 2011–: 79.9 in (2,029 mm)
Height	77.0 in (1,956 mm)

2011 Toyota Sequoia at the Montreal International Auto Show in 2011

The back of the Toyota Sequoia SR5

Toyota unveiled the 2008 Toyota Sequoia at the November 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, with sales beginning that following December. Like the original Sequoia, the new model is based on the new Tundra. However major differences with the Tundra include a fully boxed frame, a rear independent suspension featuring double wishbones with coil springs for improved ride comfort and room, and a locking center differential on 4-wheel drive models. The new suspension helps give the Sequoia a tighter turning radius of 19 ft (5.8 m) and allows for a fold-flat rear seat.^[3] Toyota stated the new frame is 70 percent more resistant to bending flex with torsional rigidity up 30 percent^[4] However, the new model weighs 500 lb (227 kg) more than the previous Sequoia. The drag coefficient has been reduced to 0.35.

Improvements include an optional ULEV-II compliant 381 horsepower 5.7 L 3UR-FE V8, mated to a 6-speed automatic.

The 2008 Sequoia comes in three trim lines: the SR5 and Limited, and new Platinum. Pricing ranges from about $34,000 to $55,000 depending upon the trim line and configuration. The base engine is the previous ULEV compliant 4.7 L 2UZ-FE 276 hp (206 kW) V8 featured from the previous generation. The 4.7 L is standard on the SR5, while the Limited and Platinum models come standard with a 5.7 L V8 engine. Four-wheel drive is available on all models.

The interior of the 2008 Sequoia features the same dash as the new Tundra. Standard features include a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power windows and doors, dual sun visors, and a keyless entry. Options include DVD based navigation with backup camera and 7" screen, a rear DVD entertainment system, a 14-speaker JBL audio system, and heated seats with ventilated coolers in the front row and warmers in the second row, available in Platinum trim. The Limited trim includes audio, climate, and hands-free Bluetooth mobile phone system controls, an improved JBL audio system, electroluminescent Optitron gauges, and an electrochromic auto-dimming rear-view mirror and side view mirrors with a HomeLink transceiver. The Platinum model includes a standard DVD navigation with a backup camera, a rear air suspension which can lower for easy loading, and Dynamic Laser Cruise Control.

Seating arrangements are for seven or eight passengers, eight for SR5 and Limited models and seven for Platinum models. Power folding 60/40 split third row seats are available on the Platinum. The Sequoia has a maximum towing capacity of 7,400 lb (3,357 kg) with the 5.7 L V8 in 2WD SR5 form or 7,100 lb (3,221 kg) in the 4WD SR5 trim. For complete trailer & weight capacities, see Toyota's website.^[5]

Exterior differences include door handle colors (color-keyed for the SR5; chrome for the Limited and Platinum), diamond-cut 20 in (508 mm) aluminum alloy wheels for the Platinum trim, and varying power-heated remote-controlled side mirrors.

Engines

Safety

Standard safety features include Vehicle Stability Control, traction control, anti-lock brakes brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, front side torso airbags and roll-sensing side curtain airbags for all three rows. For the 2010 model knee airbags were added as standard feature for front driver and passenger safety.

NHTSA crash test ratings (2008):^[6]

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:	not tested
Side Rear Passenger:	not tested
Rollover:	18.5%

Note: The Sequoia has not been retested for 2010-2016.^[7]

In 2015, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found the Sequoia 4WD to have the lowest overall driver death rate in its class with 0 deaths per million registered vehicle years.^[8][9]

Model year changes

• The 2009 model year adds E85 flex fuel capability for the 5.7 L V8 sold in certain states.
• For the 2010 model year the 4.7 L V8 is replaced by an all-new 4.6 L 1UR-FE engine paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. The SR5 and Platinum trims become mono-spec and the Limited grade offers three stand alone options (navigation system, rear-seat entertainment and seven-passenger seating). Front driver and passenger knee airbags were added as a standard feature. Platinum models get wood trim on the steering wheel and shift gear, and Bluetooth and audio controls are standard on the SR5 trim. The Timberland Mica exterior color gets replaced with the new Camry's Spruce Mica. All audio systems have USB connectivity with iPod integration, and the rear-view mirror on the Limited trim has a built-in rear-view camera.
• For the 2012 model year, Toyota's Entune System was added as a standard on SR5, while an upgraded version featuring navigation became an optional feature on Limited and standard on the Platinum trim.
• For the 2014 model year, a Blu-ray DVD player became an optional feature on Limited and standard in Platinum.
• No major changes were made for the 2015 and 2016 model years.

In a 2008 Motor Trend comparison the Sequoia took 1st place.^[10]

Sales

Recall

The 2008-2010 Sequoias were part of one of the 2009-2010 Toyota recalls that required the installation of a small shim to relieve unwanted friction and restore fluidity to the accelerator pedal. Early 2003 Sequoias were recalled to reprogram the Vehicle Stability Control system due to the possibility of poor acceleration at certain low speeds. The 2002-3 Sequoia model years also had a defect in the front ball joints.^[20] 2004 Toyota Sequoias were subject to the Takata Airbag recall done for free by Toyota dealerships.

Future plans

In 2010, Toyota announced its intent on ending production on the Sequoia after the 2014 model year due to declining sales and replace it with a next-generation Land Cruiser,^[21] but in 2012 announced that the Sequoia will be redesigned along with the Toyota Tundra for the 2014 model year and will continue with a truck-based body. As of September 2015, Toyota continued to offer the Sequoia for the 2015 and 2016 model years using the same second generation design.^[22]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Toyota Sequoia.

• Toyota Sequoia global site
• 2nd generation Toyota Sequoia SUV site.
• Toyota press release detailing the launch of the 2008 Sequoia at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
• Toyota's official pricing announcement of the 2008 Toyota Sequoia.