Seeking Opinions on the ‘18 Sequoia

Greetings All!

As the heading states, I’m looking for feedback on the pluses and minuses of the 2018 Toyota Sequoia. I’ve had an 80 and 100 series LC, a GX470 and GX460, and the 4th and 5th generation 4Runner. I currently own a Tundra. It’s safe to say I’m a Toyota loyalist.

I’m curious about / intrigued by the Sequoia as I like the extra interior space for stuff and a Labrador in the rear and my growing son in the 2nd row, and the V8, plus it seems good for my level of offroading (wider trails, fields) and bad weather use. I’m certainly happy with the 1794 Tundra and heavily lean towards holding on to it.

Anyway, Toyota doesn’t sell many Sequoias per year (12-13k) and the design is older (though they’ve freshened up the front and added TSS-P this year). Yet, there’s a solid $3k rebate right now and with dealer discount, I’ve been informed of a local Platinum (Silver Sky) with an MSRP of $69,450 that can be had for $60,200. That’s still a LOT of dinero. Just wanted feedback from folks who own or have owned them (or worked on them).

I did post this query on Mud too. There’s just not a lot of threads to be found re the Sequoia (unlike Tundra’s, 4Runners, LC’s, etc). So, I thought I might receive helpful info from Tundra folks considering the Sequoia shares so many components.

Thanks in advance!

 

We have a 2012 Sequoia. It’s an outstanding vehicle. It’s the smoothest driving vehicle I’ve ever had. I can’t say enough how happy we’ve been with it.
It currently has around 190k miles, and we haven’t had a single mechanical issue with it. It still drives like new. The only work that's had to be done was maintenance, tires, brakes, and a battery. Not a single failure of any part of the truck.
I definitely recommend it.

 

Thanks so much, War Machine. Very helpful info. Any thoughts on the Platinum vs the new TRD Sport model? I have the front TRD Sway bar on the Tundra. If I were to swap vehicles, that sway bar is interchangeable (the rear TRD sway bar isn’t).

 

We checked them out earlier this year at an auto show. I liked the Sport better, my wife liked the Platinum better. We weren’t able to drive them, just look them over and climb around inside. Can’t speak for how they handle.
Her current one is a limited, which I believe was similar to the sport inside.

 

Thank you. I think the TRD Sport looks better (and it’s about $7k cheaper). Yet, I also like the ventilated seats and second row console. Seems either choice is a good one depending on preferences.

 

Same here. The Sport is definitely cooler, but the Platinum is going to be more comfortable.

Just buy a Platinum, put a Tundra front end in it, and you’ll have both!

 

Hey Will,
First Welcome to Tundras.com!
Sequoias are really scarce. Especially ones with heavy modifications and trail time. Like you said Sequoias are a little dated for the price tag they are selling for. Nothing has really changed much in my opinion. A couple more creature comforts compared to the second gens. They are very capable with some custom modification. There isn't much aftermarket support on these.
I would say stay away from the Platinum/Air Bag/Air Ride. The bags do deteriorate and will leak. OEM AIR bags are costly. Learning first hand how to do a Air to Spring conversion sucks balls. Great part is that fronts do take Tundra Coilovers and UCA's. Might need little modification depending on what you go with.
Here is my friend's Sequoia I worked on.
Icon 2.5 Tundra Coilover
Dobinson Rear Off road Spring
Dobinson Rear Off road Shocks
RevTek Rear Spacer
Spidertrax wheel spacers
2016 Tundra rims w/285/65/18

 

That is f’ing sick looking.

 

This is one of my favorite sequoias on instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhXvikEHP1M/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=zvjd7ipb4puj

 

So badass.

I’d totally rock one. The excursion...Toyota version.

 

Here is another tundra front end sequoia.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BpQWYiPhTr2/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=yxs0q3aga1n3

 

Toyota should 100% build that truck. I really can’t get over how cool that looks. Obviously, this is the first time I have seen this and I’m loosing my shit right now. How much would that cost with vechicle and conversion all said and done. 75/85k ?

 

Immensely helpful info, Mark. The AHC on the Lexus always concerned me (though I never endured any issues). Is the Sequoia’s air ride similar? Would the extended warranty cover failures?

 

I don't know about that.
The sequoia I worked on was a 2008 with 200k. So it was well out of warranty. Airbags on it was seeping just a bit when it was maxed out. Looks like it was coming from basic wear and tear on the bags.

 

Okay, that sounds like the mileage I’ve heard GX and LX’s sometimes see issues with AHC. I’m thankful to have your input based on hands-on work with the Sequoia. More points to the TRD Sport side.

 

Very nice trucks. The third row is an actual third row.
I was looking to getting one before I got my Tundra. The only one I was able to afford was an older year SR5 at the time. Interior was pretty junk(2014 SR5)

 

I rented one for a week and hauled two families around for Spring Break. I liked it, but ending up buying a Tundra. It felt big and had tons of space. But so does the Tundra. Towing won. In the end, it seemed unnecessarily expensive for being old and underpowered.

Buy the Sequoia TRD Sport and put a supercharger in it, and then it's a much harder decision. But again, you can have two Tundras for that.

 

@Porschetech29 's buddy has a sequoia and it was keeping up with the rest of them. seemed pretty bad a$$ to me. very off road capable!

 

1st gens are bad ass! They shouldve kept a solid rear axle for the 2nd gen+

 

Thanks so much for the hands-on perspective, sbxx! So, I’m assuming your rental had the 5.7? The Sequoia weighs more than our Tundra’s, I’m just surprised it felt underpowered.

 

Easy fix.
Supercharge.

 

It had the 5.7. It was fun to drive. But I tow a TT, so that was the main priority. And I only have one kid. The Sequoia was expensive and not substantially more capable than my Tacoma with a TRD supercharger.

 

I don’t think that much. A member posted here a few weeks ago that he did the conversion for around 5k.

 

Is this your 2012? If so, that is a nice looking truck you have there sir!

 

No sir. I have one the same color and had saved the pic for my wish list.

 

Is there any where I can get a complete list of parts I would need for this conversion? I have a 2018 Sequoia for my wife and would love to do the conversion.

 

At risk of getting flamed here, I test drove a 2017 Sequoia platinum in August with the intent to buy a lightly used one. I ended up buying a 2017 Nissan Armada Platinum for about 10k less. The Armada had more features, a better ride, and better acceleration. And I love our Tundra, so I lean towards Toyota.

No doubt the Sequoia is more reliable. But it’s age shows. Since I usually only keep cars about 4-5 years, the reliability lost out to the better ride and acceleration. If Toyota updates the Sequoia in the next 4-5years, that will be the top of my list for the next purchase.

 

It's so dated and expensive for what you get. Badly needing a redesign.

 

Sorry I am late to the party. I have a 18 Sequoia TRD Sport and I traded in a 2011 Sequoia Platinum for it.

The Platinum was great, just my Platinum has higher miles and 8 wNted the TRD sport. I did not need the DVD player or some f the other options.

I love the TRDSport. I feel it is a smother handling ride and far better gas mileage. I do miss the auto opening tailgate and the folding mirrors. Also, Entunes sucks.

The lidar is the same, the auto highbeams and blind spot detection work well. The auto lane is good on a long drive. All or which can be disabled.

Otherwise, ask me anything.

PS...the resale value was pretty damn good as well. I sold the Platinum with 120k miles in dec 17 so a 86 month old truck with 120k miles for $27.5k. I used Costco buying service. It was sweet and easy

 

Holy shit this is badass!!!!!!
The entire reason the wife doesn’t drive a Sequoia is because they aren’t updated.

Does anyone have a logical excuse for why Toyota has not updated the Sequoia beyond the headlights? Do they realize they would sell at least 3x-4x what they do now? Or do they just not care?
Doesn’t make sense Toyota. :-/