9 weeks and 3 days later she is here!!!

[JBK23]

Good wright up may sound silly but I enjoyed reading it helps give me in sites on new vehicles Just wish some of the stuff on the '08 Sequoia Pltn was available on the LTD tundra. Your fuel economy should diffidently improve with the more miles you put on it this summer vacation would be a good time to try if you want. Great observation if I need a SUV I will consider the '08 Sequoia Pltn. But my new tundra this june will be good enough being a crewmax it's like an SUV.: Good luck to you and your '08 Sequoia Pltn. Oh thanks for the right up

[T0Y0TuN]

Great write up, awesome pics and congrats to your new baby!

[70454]

Vern:

Great review. I've just clocked over 600 miles on mine in about two short weeks.

I agree with most of what you wrote.

The buttons on the RH side of the NAV are more of a treat for the passenger than the driver. The bluetooth option is awesome. It picks up my Iphone and integrates with it. The aux plug is nice for mp3 players and Iphone's, etc. I wish the scan/seek options would be found on the steering controls or NAV for control of the Iphone/ipod.

The steering is also a little dull. I'm coming from a tuned Suburban which suprisingly stuck to the road, even in a bit of rain. Both vehicles are definitely sketchy in any more than a drizzle. These large vehicles tend to hydroplane easily.

I noticed you have Bridgestone tires on yours. Mine was built in Indiana and came with Dunlop performance tires. I smoked em' last night while playing with the traction control. The 5.7's light em' up easily. I'm still getting used to the 6-speed manual shifting. The truck is so quiet, you really need to look at the tach. I'll be adding the Corsa set-up soon so that won't be so much of an issue.

My wish list...

1. Heads up display. The wheel position (in my opinion) hides the speedometer.
2. Totally flat cargo area without an incline.
3. Supercharger


Edit:

I checked Tirerack.com and saw two OEM tires for the Platinum. Dunlop (ultra high performance all season $141.00 ea) and Bridgestone (highway all season $181.00 ea).

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by VernSchillinger

Today marks exactly 1 month since I picked up my '08 Sequoia Pltn. 4x4. Wife and I have logged a little over 1,300 miles during that time. A couple of follow-up observations - mainly areas for potential improvement.

1. Steering feel: A couple of publications have described the steering feel of the '08 Sequoia as being light and numb. I have to agree with at least the characterization of it being light, if not numb. The steering isn't numb like in the old GM days, where it was impossible to decipher what was going on at the front wheels, but it certainly isn't the model for road feel either. IMHO, a 20-25% increase in steering heft would go a long way in improving feel.

2. Fuel economy: The EPA ratings of 13/18 are very close to real life. Most of our driving has been city and our MPG has been right at 13.0. I've heard it improves over time. We shall see.

3. Interior:

Materials: Still feel that the interior materials and textures should have been softened to improve feel and eradicate the link to the vehicle's "truck roots". Examples of areas include, the plastics around the gear shifter and cups holders, area above the Rear climate controls and the plastics around the lower door panels. Besides just aesthetics, the downside of the hard plastics is that they scratch/mar relatively easily.

Backlighting: The backlighting of certain buttons on the dash such as the side view mirror controls and the memory seats/mirrors buttons (1, 2, SET) is conspiciously absent. I have to power fold the mirrors before I enter my garage and find myself fumbling for the button at night.

HVAC: Wish the system would allow the sync-ing of the driver and passenger side, in addition to the rear A/C i.e. dual zone syncing, in addition to tri-zone. The way it is currently configured you can only control (i) all three zones simulatenously, or (ii) all three zone independently. It would have been nice to control the two front zones together for two reasons - (i) you could then use the control button on the steering vehicle to increase or decrease the temperature for the front (driver and passenger) zones -- currently, you can only control the drivers side from the steering wheel, and (ii) It is really difficult to reach the passenger side temp knob from the drivers seat.

Other controls: The buttons on the far side of the NAV are hard to reach from the drivers seat. As often as the "Audio" button is used, it should have been placed on the left side of the NAV cluster.

4. Transmission: Shift quality, shift speed/smoothness and intelligence remain excellent. I had read an article (on CNN Money, I believe) where a tester mentioned that the 6 speed transmission hunts a lot. I can confirm that this is absolute rubbish. If I have to find something to gripe about, I would have preferred if the transmission display in S mode showed the actual gear that the vehicle is in as opposed to serving as a "top gear" selection display.

5. Engine: No issues at all. Power and smoothness remain very impressive. As I said before, from an acceleration and passing perspective, the powertrain and drivetrain make the vehicle's 6000lb weight simply meaningless. I have a 2003 Infiniti G35 (which weigh's ~3,600lbs) and, frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if the Sequoia pips it in a 0-60 dash. Goes without saying that the pain for have this luxury occurs at the gas pump.

6. Fuel capacity: Despite a 26.4 gallon tank, the Fuel gauge and Fuel Econ computer reach at or near zero after utilization of only 22.5 gallons of fuel. Its really unnerving/difficult to ignore both the gauge and computer and tell yourself that you've got another 40-50 miles before you really run out of fuel. I know folks with Tundras have confirmed this and logic dictates that there is at least another 3 gallons of fuel in tank, but the fear of running out of gas eventually takes over. Range is barely 300 miles/tank in city driving.

7. Adjustable Suspension: I REALLY like this feature on the Platinum. For those that say they don't feel any difference between the settings -- they haven't spent enough time driving the vehicle to get a real feel for it. I mainly use Normal and Sport as the Comfort mode really introduces an old school Cadillac-esk float and disconnected feeling that I don't like....however, it will smother most bumps very effectively. I generally use the sport mode unless the road surface has a great deal of irregularities, which is when I switch to Normal. As I said previously, the sport mode does a great job of controlling body roll; so much so, that it almost tends to exaggerate the lack of steering heft. What would have been really great is if the steering feel firmed up when switching the suspension to sport mode (guess this isn't a BMW M model )


8. Bluetooth: Absolutely love the BT interface, works like a charm. Paired with an LG VX3000 (EnV), no issues at all, sound quality is great.

9. Voice commands: The voice commands are really a gimmick, the list of commands is limited and by the time one waits for the prompt and beep, its easier to just hit the desired button in the first place.

10. Wish List: Still really wish this vehicle came with an HID headlamp option. My G35 has it and I really miss it. The halogen lighting is good, but once you go HID, halogen just feels really "yellow". I won't consider a retrofit due to safety reasons and incompatability of optics.
PS: Please no comments about HID vs. Halogen, trust me, I've seen/read them all.

Also wish Smart Key was an option. The vehicle starter is effectively self cranking (i.e. if you just touch it and release, it will continue cranking till the engine fires) and it seems like implementation wouldn't be that difficult.

Still am very happy with the purchase. Just thought I'd share the finer observations.

You have clearly put a lot of thought and effort into reviewing your truck for others to learn from! That's what I love about these forums. I'll touch on a few short points...

Materials - There are a lot of hard plastics that the Sequoia has inherited from the Tundra. Having owned a 2004 Tundra Double Cab Limited, I found that there were areas that they improved and areas that they seemed to take a step or so backwards. Overall I feel that the quality is good. However, I did not feel it was necessarily on-par with a $43,000 pick up truck and DEFINITELY not up to snuff in a $55,000 utility vehicle.

Backlighting - is another one of the interior issues that your Sequoia unfortunately inherited from the Tundra. Not only is there backlighting missing from the important controls of the mirrors (I live on a one-way street that is poorly lit so I have to fold them before I get out) but I found it a little disappointing to not have it in all four driver's side window controls (this may not be an issue with Sequoia, I have not really sat in one). I also don't recall off the top of my head whether or not the individual window switches are backlit in the other doors either. Also on the "lighting" topic, I don't know if they finally put a light in there, but the CAVERN that is my center console is now lit by a tri-LED thing plugged into my cigarette lighter because I don't want to have to put the overhead lights on to look inside.

Other Controls - I agree with the hard-to-reach buttons on the passenger's side of the nav screen. Toyota/Lexus has used many different set ups in several different series of vehicles. I have found (having worked at a Lexus store for a year about a year ago) that they have effectively set-up other nav button layouts that were more driver-friendly.

Voice Commands - I use one regularly - "Suspend Guidance". Those are the instances where I don't know how to get away from where I am, but once I'm on a familiar road, I know where I'm going. I have taught a lot of customers (again, at Lexus) how to utilize their voice command prompts, however I do not find myself using them. However, I realized just yesterday when I spoke softly to suspend the guidance that it was surprizingly receptive when I figured it wasn't going to hear my voice prompt. In all, I think (when, not if) Toyota adopts the Microsoft Sync system (or some Apple version, or whatever version) that many people will enjoy using voice prompts more.

Wish List
HID headlamps are something I wish Toyota/Lexus was not afraid of in their larger vehicles (including our Tundra, Sequoia, etc.). Believe it or not, even the most fully loaded Lexus LX 570 (MSRP up above $84,000) does NOT include HID headlamps. It does have the Adaptive Front Lighting System, but Toyota/Lexus has not taken that leap. Large luxury utilities all have the HID headlamps (Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56, others I'm sure, just having a tired brain fart over here). That $84,000 LX 570 also doesn't come with the beautiful 7-passenger, dual console set up that we see in Sequoia, it seats 8. I'd save myself almost $30,000 and buy the Sequoia huh?

If the SmartKey were worth $30,000 you could step up to the fully loaded LX 570. There are a few different set-ups that Toyota/Lexus applies with the SmartKey. There's the four-door/trunk set up (Toyota Avalon, Lexus ES/GS/LS/LX) and the two-door/trunk set up (Toyota Camry/Camry Hybrid/Highlander/Highlander Hybrid, Lexus IS). When we saw the introduction of the two-door system with the new generation Highlander, and the four-door system with the new generation LX 570, I thought FOR SURE the new generation Sequoia would get it. I looked at the vast options list for the Sequoia and was unpleasantly surprised that it was absent. I guess they can't give it all to us at once huh?

If I lease another Toyota, I will have to fight myself long and hard between the new Sequoia and a Tundra CrewMax. I don't need the pick up truck bed and I love the 7-passenger set up in the Platinum, but it comes with quite a premium price over the most-loaded CrewMax.

Sorry, that's a lot more words than I thought when I started typing this!

[pagemaster]

There are a few different set-ups that Toyota/Lexus applies with the SmartKey. There's the four-door/trunk set up (Toyota Avalon, Lexus ES/GS/LS/LX) and the two-door/trunk set up (Toyota Camry/Camry Hybrid/Highlander/Highlander Hybrid, Lexus IS).

Can you explain what you mean by set up?

The Corolla also comes with smart key.

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

Can you explain what you mean by set up?

The Corolla also comes with smart key.

What I mean by set up is the location of the proximity sensors which enable the doors to be locked and unlocked. The proximity sensors detect when the key is approaching the vehicle (typically when it gets within a 5 or so foot radius I think) and activate the illuminated entry features.

In the four-door and trunk set up (Avalon, et al) when you approach the driver's door (or the trunk) and unlock it (by grabbing the handle), it will only unlock the driver's door (this is the equivalent of pushing the "unlock" button on the key fob one time). When the key is detected closer to another of the sensors (rear driver's side door or either passenger's side door) then all doors will unlock (this is the equivalent of pushing the "unlock" button on the key fob two times). Pushing the black button on any of the doors will lock (this is the equivalent of pushing the "lock" button the key fob one time).

In the two-door set up (Highlander, et al) there are no sensors on the rear doors (there is a third sensor located on the rear of the vehicles for trunk/rear hatch use). The two front door sensors function in the same way they do in the four-door set up (driver's side only unlocks driver's side, passenger's side unlocks all doors).

And the SmartKey system is not listed on the list of features and options on the 2009 Toyota Corolla. The 2009 Toyota Corolla has listed "Remote keyless entry system with in-key transmitter". This information was gathered here: Toyota Corolla - 2009 Options and Packages

[pagemaster]

Originally Posted by tundradg

all doors).

And the SmartKey system is not listed on the list of features and options on the 2009 Toyota Corolla. The 2009 Toyota Corolla has listed "Remote keyless entry system with in-key transmitter". This information was gathered here: Toyota Corolla - 2009 Options and Packages

While I guess I am not sure if it is "smart key" but in Canada we can a get a Corolla with push button start. I am not sure if this means that you still have a "key fob" with button. TOYOTA CANADA : Vehicles > 2009 Corolla > Interior

I always assumed that you get smart key with push button start. I am assumed that the US would have Corolla's with push button as well.

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

While I guess I am not sure if it is "smart key" but in Canada we can a get a Corolla with push button start. I am not sure if this means that you still have a "key fob" with button. TOYOTA CANADA : Vehicles > 2009 Corolla > Interior

I always assumed that you get smart key with push button start. I am assumed that the US would have Corolla's with push button as well.

I didn't realize you were from Canada...and yes the Corolla does apparently have the SmartKey system, including the push button start. I find it odd that the Canadian version gets that as an option but not the American version. I'll have to do a little more digging to find out why...Thanks for the education...

[pagemaster]

I find it odd that the Canadian version gets that as an option but not the American version.

Even more odd is that....America gets heated leather seats with regular key while Canada push button start but only cloth as seat material...not leather. Strange!

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by pagemaster

Even more odd is that....America gets heated leather seats with regular key while Canada push button start but only cloth as seat material...not leather. Strange!

Yeah when I took a glimpse at the Toyota Canada/Corolla Link you put up, I noticed that the Push Button start was with the LE...I'm surprized by the whole thing.

Anyways,