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The Toyota Sequoia has always been a very capable large SUV, but, for 2005, Toyota has enhanced the performance and appearance, giving it a more powerful engine, a new five-speed automatic transmission and advanced supplemental restraint airbag systems. New side curtain airbags with roll sensing that extend to the second row are available, as well.

Styling has been freshened, too, with a full color-keyed exterior, a new front fascia and grille, standard cladding and redesigned tail lamps with clear-lens covers. An in-glass antenna replaces the exterior mast antenna.

The Sequoia's 4.7-liter i-Force V8 engine has been equipped with a new variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) system and an electronic throttle control system with intelligence (ETCS-i). The result is an increase in output from 240 horsepower to 282. Torque rises by 10 lb.-ft. to 325 lb-ft. The new five-speed automatic transmission provides smoother performance and more flexibility, and also helps improve fuel efficiency. It's still nothing to brag about, but the Sequoia will get 15 mpg in the city and 18 on the open road. The Sequoia is also EPA-certified as an ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV).

Like all Toyota SUVs for 2005, the Sequoia comes standard with the safety benefits of the Star Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and traction control (TRAC), an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. (See page 3 for details.)

Two model grades are available: the base SR5, which is what we tested, and a top-end Limited model. I'm not entirely sure what amenities the Limited has to offer that the SR5 does not, because the SR5 was a very well-equipped and luxurious vehicle. Both grades are available in two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models. Each grade offers a new option package for 2005 for even greater comfort and versatility.

Standard equipment on the Sequoia SR5 includes power front seat captain's chairs and standard dual front and a rear digital air conditioning system. Front and rear passengers can control heating and cooling independently, or the driver or front passenger can override and control the entire system from the front control panel. Also standard are power windows (with front window jam control), mirrors and door locks, 3-in-1 AM/FM/Cassette/CD audio system with six speakers, cruise control, anti-theft system with engine immobilizer and auto-off headlights.

For 2005, a new optional Preferred Package ($1,770) includes leather-trimmed seats, second-row captain's chairs and removable center console, memory driver's seat and exterior mirrors, height-control rear air suspension, interior wood trim and distinctive Optitron instrumentation. A new optional Sport Package ($1,355) for the Sequoia SR5 also features height-control rear air suspension and adds form and function with fog lamps, tubular running boards, front skid plate and five-spoke 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels in place of the standard styled steel wheels. Our test vehicle had both packages. We thought the Preferred Package was probably worth the money, but not the Sport Package. We also would have scrapped the moonroof ($1,000). The navigation system ($2,080) is a harder call. If you do the bulk of your driving on familiar routes around town, why bother? In general, I think these nav systems are still over-priced for the amount of use the typical buyer is going to get out of them — and all of them are still entirely too cumbersome to use.

The Sequoia's ride is smooth, quiet and controlled. The chassis comes with fully boxed frame rails, coil-spring double wishbone front suspension and a five-link coil spring rear suspension. Our test vehicle had the optional hydraulic rear load leveling suspension that automatically compensates for loads carried in the vehicle. (This latter option is part of the Sport Package mentioned above.)

The Sequoia is available with either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive systems. The multi-mode 4WD system uses a lockable center differential and allows the driver to shift from 2H to 4H with a dash-mounted switch. The locking center differential can help get the vehicle through obstructions such as sand, mud or deep snow. With 10.6-inches of ground clearance, the Sequoia can handle off-highway obstacles that could stop some competitors in their tracks.

Seventeen-inch wheels and P265/65R17 tires are standard equipment on the Sequoia Limited and available on the SR5 grade. A seven-pin towing connector ($430) is available for added functionality including the ability to accommodate electric trailer braking systems.

Four-channel, four-sensor ABS helps to prevent the wheels from locking during severe braking conditions, while EBD distributes proper brake force between the front and rear wheels according to driving conditions. Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if the driver has not stepped firmly enough on the brake pedal to engage the (ABS), the system supplements the applied braking power.

The Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system helps maintain directional stability during cornering by manipulating engine torque and individual wheel-braking influence when it detects tire slippage. The VSC system integrates traction control (TRAC), which helps reduce tire slippage during acceleration.

The new front airbag system provides dual-stage deployment driver and passenger airbags. A sensor on the driver's seat track can determine the driver's seat distance from the steering wheel to signal an appropriate deployment stage. The front passenger seat contains a sensor that detects the presence and weight category of a passenger (child or adult), and also determines the appropriate airbag deployment strategy.

The front Supplemental Restraint System airbags can be augmented by optional ($500) side airbags and side curtain, airbags for the front and second-row seats. Included in the side airbag/side curtain airbag option package for 2005, is a new rollover sensor with a cutoff switch.

The multi-function front center console integrates a large storage box with a double-door and memo pad clip. Dual front and rear-cup holders can adapt to containers of nearly any size. To power the variety of devices that passengers are likely to bring on board, Sequoia provides four 12-volt power outlets – two in the front, one for the second row and one behind the third row on the left side.

Toyota equipped Sequoia with plenty of useful storage compartments throughout the interior, plus ten cupholder locations. All four doors include deep storage pockets. Behind the third row, the cargo area provides an open, deep pocket on each side, a small article compartment with lid, two grocery bag hooks and cargo net hooks.

The Sequoia is longer and taller than the Chevrolet Tahoe and offers more rear cargo capacity than the Ford Expedition. It is also manufactured right here in the good ole U. S. of A. In Princeton, Indiana, to be precise. The base price of the SR5 is $35,955, plus $540 for destination charges. Our test vehicle had nearly $8,000 in optional equipment for a total window sticker of $44,388, but we could easily live without five grand's worth of the options. That would leave us with a beautifully-equipped Sequoia for just under forty grand. And well worth it in our view. R&D