Best car I've ever owned
Our 4Runner was too small for three kids and a large dog. A Land Cruiser was too expensive. My wife already has a minivan. We wanted an all-purpose four-wheel-drive that would seat as many people as possible and not break down.
After careful research, we avoided the American and German cars and settled back on Toyota. The Sequoia has remarkably little press and did not get much advertising from Toyota, presumably because it was perceived as a gas hog. Honestly, 16 mpg is not at all bad when you factor in the number of people you are hauling. When I fill all eight seats, I have almost twice the seating capacity of a Prius and I can drive from Creede, Colorado to Silverton the back way. Per person, I'd call that a good equation.
The four-wheel drive is the same as a V6 4Runner or Tundra, that is to say part-time with traction control, low range and a locking center differential and great clearance. You can't get a four-wheel-drive system this good in an eight-seater unless you opt for a Land Cruiser.
My vehicle came with leather, power folding side mirrors, climate control, premium sound, roof rack, running boards, etc, plus a Toyota V8 and transmission, all for $14,100. I guess the bottom dropped out of the market when gas hit $4. We couldn't be happier.
- Aaron, 2001 Toyota Sequoia
