Test Drive: 2008 Platinum vs Limited differences

[Stargazer]

I went to test drive a couple 2008 Sequoias last week. Unfortunately, it wasn't back-to-back, so now I've come away a little confused. I drove the same route for about 20 min each time in city traffic.

First was the Platinum and I was very impressed with the light steering and small turning radius. I played around with the adjustable suspension, and although the differences between Sport and Comfort were subtle, I felt that it was noticeable. I kept it mostly on Sport and liked how the Sequoia seemed to be very flat through the turns--a big improvement over my 2003 Sequoia. With the transmission switched from "D" to "S" I also felt a noticeable difference in that the throttle response was a lot quicker. At the end of the test drive, I stepped out feeling like the Sequoia rode and handled like a much smaller vehicle than it was. It was really good at hiding its size.

Later in the week I went back to test drive the Limited because have a 2nd Row Bench is important to us. I wanted to see if the adjustable suspension would be missed. I found that it seemed to be a totally different vehicle. I drove the same route and even tried switching from "D" to "S" at the same spot. I even tried manually shifting from 1st up the gears to see if I could get a better performance, but I didn't. I tried to take turns at the same speeds that I did earlier, and the Limited just didn't feel the same as the Platinum. Throttle response was slower and I could feel the roll in the turns. Although it was still much better than my '03 Seq., it didn't seem to hide its size as well as the Platinum did earlier in the week. Engine noise even seemed to be louder than the Platinum.

Is this just a case of me paying more attention or are there really noticeable differences in drive/ride quality between the Platinum and Limited. I was expecting a little difference in the suspension, but the engine/throttle response was a surprise since both have the 5.7L engine.

I think I'm going to have to go back and drive the Platinum again to make sure my first impressions weren't wrong.

Has anyone else driven the Platinum and Limited back-to-back and noticed differences?

[TraderHal]

i beleive the plat uses the old technology TEMS from the previous landcruiser. the ride is much better in the plat.

[the101dragons]

I test drove the Platinum and SR5 with the 18's just to see the difference in the tires. The platinum was smooth and I could not really feel the road vibration in the steering wheel. On the SR5 I could feel every bump and crack in the road. I thought the 18's would feel a lot better but the 20's on the Platinum felt smoother and I guess the suspension in the Platinum is better out back. I don't think there's a difference in the front suspension on either models but man the Platinum just rides better. I also like the guages in the Limited and Platinum vs the SR5 orange speedo cluster. Overall the new Sequoia is now on par if not better than a LTZ Tahoe. I still don't like the cargo space, you can barely fit anything back there. I remember my Suburban and man you could have fit a whole cow back there.

[srock]

I agree on the interior space and it slopes toward the back. What a dissapointment for such a large vehicle.

[tundradg]

The ride is without a doubt improved in the Plat versus the Ltd. The wheels are one factor, the air suspension/adjustable suspension is another factor. I'm not sure that the engine/throttle response time difference between the two should be impacted in such a noticable manner, but I wasn't behind the wheel. I didn't think engine noise could be much different either because I wouldn't think that the sound-deadening material would be impacted.

The Platinum obviously (as you know) outdoes the Limited in (standard) features (sunroof, nav, power rear hatch). I have known a few customers who have gotten their Limited fully loaded because the second row bench was important to them. If you do decide to upgrade, I hope you love it! I am already starting to shop for 2 years down the line when my lease is up!

[TraderHal]

The ride in the platinum was worth losing the bench seat.

[Stargazer]

Well, I went back for another test drive of the Platinum today and confirmed my initial impressions: the Platinum definitely makes the Sequoia feel much smaller than it really is. The difference in ride quality between it and the Limited is noticeable and significant. In Canada, both the Limited and Platinum come standard with 20" wheels, moonroof, and power lift gate.

Where the Limited handled well, it still felt like a truck. I'd say that the Comfort setting on the Platinum is slightly better (less lean) than the Limited. I liked the Sport setting the best because it made the Sequoia flat in almost all turns. Maybe the way it handled made me believe that throttle response was better.

One more thing in Canada, the Limited is NOT available with a back-up camera which makes a HUGE difference in the ease of parking.

So because of the handling and the rear-camera, I would sacrifice the 8th seat to choose the Platinum over the Limited.

[tundradg]

Originally Posted by Stargazer

Well, I went back for another test drive of the Platinum today and confirmed my initial impressions: the Platinum definitely makes the Sequoia feel much smaller than it really is. The difference in ride quality between it and the Limited is noticeable and significant. In Canada, both the Limited and Platinum come standard with 20" wheels, moonroof, and power lift gate.

Where the Limited handled well, it still felt like a truck. I'd say that the Comfort setting on the Platinum is slightly better (less lean) than the Limited. I liked the Sport setting the best because it made the Sequoia flat in almost all turns. Maybe the way it handled made me believe that throttle response was better.

One more thing in Canada, the Limited is NOT available with a back-up camera which makes a HUGE difference in the ease of parking.

So because of the handling and the rear-camera, I would sacrifice the 8th seat to choose the Platinum over the Limited.

The Limited is NOT available with a back-up camera? Even if you get a navigation system? Because Toyota (in America) makes back-up camera includes in the navigation package with most of it's vehicles...that is so weird to me. Similar to the fact that I believe the Corolla in Canada is available with a SmartKey (or that's what I was told), and that option is missing from the American version's line-up...

[Stargazer]

That's right. It's weird to me too. The problem up here is that Toyota Canada offers very little configuration options available for us. The only option available for the Limited is a "Technology Package" that gives you puddle lamps, reverse-tilt, memory seats, and RES, etc. but does NOT give you the nav/backup camera. The only way to get the Nav system and backup camera is to order the Platinum.

[trev0006]

Thanks for the writeup. I am buying a used one this weekend and this will help.

Originally Posted by Stargazer

I went to test drive a couple 2008 Sequoias last week. Unfortunately, it wasn't back-to-back, so now I've come away a little confused. I drove the same route for about 20 min each time in city traffic.

First was the Platinum and I was very impressed with the light steering and small turning radius. I played around with the adjustable suspension, and although the differences between Sport and Comfort were subtle, I felt that it was noticeable. I kept it mostly on Sport and liked how the Sequoia seemed to be very flat through the turns--a big improvement over my 2003 Sequoia. With the transmission switched from "D" to "S" I also felt a noticeable difference in that the throttle response was a lot quicker. At the end of the test drive, I stepped out feeling like the Sequoia rode and handled like a much smaller vehicle than it was. It was really good at hiding its size.

Later in the week I went back to test drive the Limited because have a 2nd Row Bench is important to us. I wanted to see if the adjustable suspension would be missed. I found that it seemed to be a totally different vehicle. I drove the same route and even tried switching from "D" to "S" at the same spot. I even tried manually shifting from 1st up the gears to see if I could get a better performance, but I didn't tires. I tried to take turns at the same speeds that I did earlier, and the Limited just didn't feel the same as the Platinum. Throttle response was slower and I could feel the roll in the turns. Although it was still much better than my '03 Seq., it didn't seem to hide its size as well as the Platinum did earlier in the week. Engine noise even seemed to be louder than the Platinum.

Is this just a case of me paying more attention or are there really noticeable differences in drive/ride quality between the Platinum and Limited. I was expecting a little difference in the cars suspension, but the engine/throttle response was a surprise since both have the 5.7L engine.

I think I'm going to have to go back and drive the Platinum again to make sure my first impressions weren't wrong.

Has anyone else driven the Platinum and Limited back-to-back and noticed differences?

[UK_TB]

I have a 2010 Limited with the Tech package in Canada. This includes all the items listed above as well as the Nav. It DOES include the backup camera that displays in the nav screen. Without the Tech package the Limited includes as standard a small backup camera screen incorporated in the rear view mirror. The brochure I has for 2010 is very clear on this. I can't verify this online as the iPhone can't show the Toyota website due to it's flash content ( just in case Toyota changed things)

[mike552]

When I bought my Sequoia, I was fully aware that the Platinum had a smoother ride. I am not that picky, and to me the SR5 rides "good enough" for the ridiculously inexpensive price tag. I am planning to go with Bilstein HDs on the front end and leaving the stock shocks out back. This should create a much tighter ride in the turns. I might even go with a thicker front sway bar.

[JMSinMD]

Originally Posted by TraderHal

The ride in the platinum was worth losing the bench seat.

I have a Platinum and never got a chance to drive a SR5 or Limited, is it really THAT much of a difference?