Toyota's attention to detail can be seen everywhere inside the Sequoia. The terrifically large bin between the front seats is split into two levels. The top level has a fold-out clipboard and spring-loaded coin slots. The bottom level has a molded, bookshelf-like CD holder to keep up to eight CDs from rattling around, but there's enough room left over to hold a six-pack or a moderately sized purse. The door pockets are narrow, but there are two open bins at the front of the console, lined with rubber and deep enough to keep cell phones or wallets from sliding around. An overhead console holds sunglasses. The driver information center includes a compass, outside temperature gauge, and fuel economy statistics, such as miles until empty and mpg.
The three-passenger second-row seat is big, contoured and comfortable. The seat backs recline over a broad range, and the rear audio and climate controls on Sequoia's so equipped are prominently placed on the rear of the big center console, within easy reach of all three second-row seating positions, as well as those in front. The seat itself splits 60/40 to fold.
The Sequoia is a champ if you have to transport lots of kids on a regular basis. We say kids because they'll have the most energy and agility to hop over the middle-row to get to the third-row seats. Nonetheless, asking full-sized adults to crawl back there isn't likely to cost you a few friends. A lever on the curbside of the second seat releases a spring-loaded mechanism that drops the seatback and flips the entire seat forward. It clears a fairly wide path to the rear, and the middle seat is easy to plop back once passengers are aboard.
The three-place third row is about as good as they get. Legroom is limited compared to the second row, but the seatbacks recline and there's ample headroom. Further, the entire third row also slides fore/aft over a range of eight inches, to adjust for more legroom or more storage behind the seat. With the third seat up and all the way forward, there's room behind for a large suitcase and a couple of carry-on bags.
For more cargo space, the third-row seats are easy to tumble forward, or they can be removed completely with a bit more effort. With them tumbled, we found enough room for a jogging stroller, a baby backpack and all the rest of the gear needed for a day hike. For maximum cargo carrying, you can remove the third-row seats and fold and tumble the second-row seats. Then there's enough space back there to clean out Toys 'R Us during a clearance sale.
Indeed, the Sequoia offers more cargo space in any of its configurations (third seat in place, folded, etc.) than any of its competitors. Its maximum cargo volume of 128.1 cubic feet beats Ford Expedition (110.5 cubic feet), Chevy Tahoe (104.6) and the new Nissan PathfinderArmada (97.1).
At the back of the Sequoia, you'll find the same attention to detail as in front, with lots of things that make large family outings easier. The rear seat has two working cupholders and two large storage bins on each side, and foot vents delivering forced air. The rear passenger door openings are large, which makes installing child safety seats a breeze. There are tie-down points for cargo, an optional rear cargo cover and four 12-volt power points spread through the cabin. The optional DVD player has a high resolution-screen that stows neatly in the headliner, but it doesn't come with the wireless headphones most competitors offer.
The Sequoia Limited is very luxurious, almost like a Lexus in that regard. It offers dual-zone automatic climate control, a killer JBL stereo with an available in-dash 6-CD changer, and just about every power-operated convenience feature you can imagine. The Limited comes with an enormous moonroof. Next Page