2012 Toyota Sequoia Overview

2012 Toyota Sequoia Overview

While other manufacturers are eliminating full-size SUVs and sales continue to slow as gasoline prices continue to rise, Toyota has kept in the game with a redesign of its Sequoia for 2012, making it larger and roomier. Built upon the underpinnings of the Tundra, this car is designed to appeal to high-rolling, hard-working families on the go.

The Sequoia comes in three trim levels: base SR5, Limited and Platinum. SR5s come with a 4.6-liter V8 with 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque; a 5.7-liter V8 with 380 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque is standard in the others and available in SR5s. Rear-wheel or 4WD is available for all trims, and all come with a 6-speed automatic transmission. FlexFuel capability is available only for 5.7 4WD trims.

Toyota did a nice job on each of these trims, as a lot of key features are standard, including MP3 playback, keyless entry, streaming Bluetooth and fog lamps. Eight-speaker stereo is standard in the SR5s, the others have 14. The Limiteds feature 20-inch aluminum wheels, leather-trimmed seating and a power liftgate, and the Platinums add heated/vented seats, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, backup camera and blind-spot monitor. Unfortunately, the tacky chrome grille and mirrors and a cheap-feeling interior are also standard.

Packages available for the SR5s include the Sports, which includes 20-inch chrome wheels, second-row captain’s chairs and a color-keyed grille, and the Premium, which includes leather-trimmed seats, a heated driver’s seat and adjustable front seats, as well as a backup camera and HomeLink universal transceiver.

Also new for 2012, Toyota includes a standard trailer sway control system and blind-spot monitor. Other standard safety features include front and side-curtain airbags for the entire cabin and 4-wheel antilock braking. The Sequoia has performed well in NHTSA standard tests.

All trims can hold 8 adults, with nobody feeling cramped. Three-zone climate control also makes sure that no one is too hot or too cold. And all the pickup and power you need is there: A tow hitch is standard and can handle up to 7,400 pounds depending on the engine configuration.

Also SUV-like is the way the Sequoia drinks gasoline: Toyota estimates the 5.7-liter engine at 13 mpg city/17 highway. (The FlexFuel option sinks it even lower to 9/12.)

So if you want an SUV, you’ll get it in spades with the Sequoia—one of the best (and one of the last) of its class.