How does the Sequoia ride compared to a Suburban? I have our next family vehicle narrowed down to these two choices. Which rides better? If so how much better? Any help is appreciated!

Ride quality is subjective, so your best bet is to test drive each vehicle. Make sure they have similar packages and the same wheel size.

With the above said, the Sequoia does have a beautiful independent rear suspension. It should retain its composure much more easily, and the handling should outpace the burbs solid axle.

I understand that you've narrowed it down to these two, but it's apples and oranges, really. The longer wheelbase of the Suburban, along with its length, make it a completely different beast than the Sequoia with shorter wheelbase and independent rear suspension. I own a Sequoia and am familiar with the current Suburban. The Suburban will have more steering wheel feedback, though with that, also a lot more vibration. In terms of handling, I don't think a Suburban can touch a Sequoia with 20" wheels. I will soon upgrade my front springs and struts to make the handling even more responsive. Though, with all of this said, the Suburban has huge room behind the 3rd row and this may make all the difference in the world for you.

Unless you're getting them for free I'd be comparing quality to quality and therefore you should go with the Toyota.

You haven't said why you need the Suburban. Is it seating for 8 & luggage? Towing? The trunk behind the third row of the Seq is kinda small. But on the other hand, folds flat. I driven the Big Escalade & Yukon Denali XL plenty. The longer wheel base helps fore / aft pitching compared with the Seq but deep down I found the Seq Plat with adjustable suspension & IRS a more controlled ride, and better handler. You need to test drive as your local road conditions, preferences, models will have a huge impact. Enjoy, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Thanks for all the replies so far. I am down to these two on the basis of driving comfort, room, towing, reliability, and safety. Both will tow well and both are safe. The cargo room is the main difference between the two. I know about the advantages of one over the other. My main concern is the ride. I need this car to handle bumps well with minimal road, wind, and rattle noise. This is very important aspect for my wife/me. How is the road noise? How is the rattling? How is the wind noise? Would a suburban be better at these or hardly no differnce at all?

I don't think you'd notice a big difference except for the rattles. The Suburban will undoubtedly have more rattles a year into ownership.

I have 60k miles, including a few mild off-road excursions, and not so much as a rattle or squeak. The HD shocks improved the handling....the ride is not harsh and it handles pot holes and irregular terrain significantly better.

We looked hard at the Escalades when we got our 08. In the end, the killer for us was the third row seat. We don't use it often so fold flat was an absolute must. Otherwise the GM product is a decent truck. I had an 07 Sierra SLT that was a great truck, other than burning a quart of oil every 2000 miles and blown tranny at 50k.

Otherwise the GM product is a decent truck... other than burning a quart of oil every 2000 miles and blown tranny at 50k.

Bwahahahaha!

We have had a Yukon XL(suburban) before our Sequoia and I will tell you the ride was more controlled but the Sequoia is softer and handles bumps better. I find that the Sequoia seems a little more unsettled than the Yukon did in the same road conditions. If you can afford the repairs and being without your vehicle during the repairs then I would get the Yukon XL/Suburban...IF ride is your only concern. Otherwise the Sequoia is far superior.

I just traded my 2008 Suburban LTZ in on my 2008 Sequoia Platinum this weekend. What I can tell you is that the Sequoia has more of a floating feeling to it even with the suspension in the sport mode, but the Sequoia is much more responsive and peepier engine. The quality of the build in regards to road noise and winds were very similar. All-in-all I think the Sequoia has the quieter interior.

If I got a Suburban/Yukon I would definitely stay away from the Active Fuel Management (AFM) System. That seems to be the cause of the oil consumption issue they are having and I know for the older models they still haven't got the issue resolved and are still blocking owners from getting engine replacements (only fix that works).

All that being said I really loved my Suburban and I hated to see it go, but I'm sure my Sequoia is going to make me forget about it sooner than I think. Piece of mind is everything to me.

My Thoughts:
If you want that 3rd row room for anything more than a Child, you'll want a Sequoia. Try sitting in that 3rd row in the 'burb!
If you want a 200,000 mile car, I'd take more of a chance on the Sequoia than the Suburban.
If you want a higher resale value down the road - the Sequoia (There are a TON of used suburbans on the market!)
If you are buying it primarily for the ride/comfort, then the Suburban might have a slight edge.
Cargo Room - Suburban

+1,000,000 toyota hands down!!


Unless you're getting them for free I'd be comparing quality to quality and therefore you should go with the Toyota.

ur comparing an american truck to a japanese truck.
I have an 08 Sequoia Limited & luv everything about it.
:tu::tu::tu: As far as reiability/durability , HANDS UP all the way for a Sequoia! nuff said :D

I am leaning to Sequoia now. I will wait until 2013... new Suburban design rolls out before purchase. My noisey Pilot is so aggravating!!!! Can hardly hear the radio!!!

Yup, typical Honda - LOUD interior cabin noise.

One thing about the Yukon/Suburban: If you are going to wait for 2013, you may give in because they always manage to come out with a sexy design. Let's face it, while I would never purchas one on account of quality and residual resale value, the Yukon is a better looking SUV than the Sequoia.