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2005 Toyota Sequoia Limited Road Test

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Rob Rothwell
More Power, Luxury and Safety

While wheeling Toyota's lavish full-size SUV out of the cramped quarters of the modern warehouse serving as the base for Toyota's

While the amply sized Toyota Sequoia is part of a Japanese family, it is built in America's heartland of Indiana, for North American consumption. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)
press fleet, I found it difficult to comprehend that the big rig was a Toyota product. At 80 mm (3.0 in) longer in length than the commodious Dodge Durango, the 5,180 mm (203.9 in)-long Sequoia drastically out-sizes anything my mind can perceive as made by an Asian automaker. But while this ample SUV is part of a Japanese family, it is built in America's heartland of Indiana, for North American consumption.

The Sequoia emerged in 2001 as a vehicle intended to fill the gap between the midsize 4Runner and king of the outback, the Land Cruiser, not sold in Canada unless you're counting Lexus' GX and LX 470 models. Based on the Tundra truck platform, the Sequoia has benefited from

Model year 2005 bestows greater power, luxury and safety upon the highly capable, wonderfully comfortable off-roader. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)
incremental improvements during its five-year lifespan. Model year 2005 bestows greater power, luxury and safety upon the highly capable, wonderfully comfortable off-roader. Wending my way over some of the rougher roads en route home, I realized just how solid the Sequoia chassis is, and how rigid its body structure is. Despite its enormity, the Sequoia is vault-tight over all road surfaces. I didn't detect a hint of body flex, shudder or reverberation when encountering potholes or severely damaged pavement. Rattles, squeaks and groans, not uncommon in this class of vehicle, have been banished from the passenger compartment - and I like that tremendously.
Rob Rothwell
Rob Rothwell
Automotive expert
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