Growing Family.... Outgrown the Tundra and may have to part ways =(

Take a look at the Mdx or the newly updated Mdx. 3 rows, sh_awd, Honda reliability and decent mpg. Or If you can wait for the type s model it will have a turbo. We have a 16 and I sold my Evo x for it. Very surprised how well it performs power and handling. I too refused to go the minivan route despite knowing how family friendly they are.

 

Sequoia... I have read way too many complaints about the Denali and all other GM products, they are terrible.

 

I see everyone is saying sequoia, but a 3rd row Hilander tricked out would be modern and much nicer They are basically a mini van without looking like one. Get it blacked out and they look good.

Sequoia is ugly and low tech for the money imo.

 

I cant stand sequoias. Interior looks archaic. I just saw a black highlander and dang its not bad. No kids for me lol

 

The wife wouldn’t drive the huge sequoia plus the mpg wasnt an option for driving nearly to downtown and back for work coming far up north. Settled on a 14 highlander xle with middle bench seat in 2nd row. Super easy to get car seats in and out. Third row is definitely cramp and a top complaint for us and of most families.we took a short trip down to Lockhart for some bbq about 45 min away with 4 adults and the baby with car seat. Everyone fit fine in the front and 2nd row. Didn’t need to put anyone in the third row.

Toyota is coming out with a grand highlander to address a wider wheel base but didn’t read that it would have an extended wheel base. Highlander mpg is good for its size.

 

Congrats, and enjoy the new ride!!!

-T

 

I can't give up the reliability from Toyota. My mechanics drive fords and chevy trucks. They seem to just accept the various smaller, medium, to large problems that happen. They agree with me that dodge is the worst of the big 3. That said, they tend to use the argument that all these trucks have various issues and you just address them. I finally got my ford driving mechanic when he mentioned doing some major work on his f250 2007..Well "it's got 200k," and like a smart-ass I said man I have 238k and haven't had those same issues. It's not apples to apples of course with a tundra vs f250, but the same argument could be made with the tundra and f150. When I read about major engine issues with the ford 150s as new as 2018+ that are affecting huge numbers, the QA isn't there. Even if the new tundras are experiencing some of their own quality issues with the engines, it is still far less than the big 3.

I've had regular maintenance and 1 major repairs one for a TSB issue that affected 07-08's and took 13 years to fail. 13 fricken years. The big maintenance, not really a repair, was getting the original rack and pinion replaced. To me that shows that the tundra stands up to the test of time.

I know if I stepped into enemy territory with the big 3 and something really bad happened, I'd be the first to kick my own ass for knowing better and still doing stupid.

The sequoia is just the Tundra in SUV form, so Sequoia if you can get it.

 

We're at 140k in our Yukon XL with no expensive repair bills yet. I also got 260k out of our previous Suburban on the original drivetrain. It had a few electrical gremlins, so we traded it in. They're no Toyotas, but they're decent vehicles. And nothing touches the interior space.

Like others have said, if there were such a thing as a Sequoia XL that didn't make us choose between cargo space and using the 3rd row, we'd be in it in a heartbeat.

 

In OP's situation I will always suggest the minivan first. We have had 4 over the years, 3 of them Odysseys and there is just nothing that beats it from a practical utilitarian viewpoint. I don't have "image" issues so I don't care what others think when I drive the minivan - to me it is using the best tool for the job.

But I do understand that it is not for everyone:
Sequoia is cool second option, especially if you wan to do a Tundra front-end swap or something to make it more modern and unique.
Highlander would be an option too. Smaller than the Sequoia of course, but can still have 3 rows of seats.

BUT, final suggestion:
With 3 kids and a dog I think the Tundra CM still has enough space to handle all that. Older kids will be in booster seats that takes up less space and before you know it they will outgrow the boosters and the one in the car seat will be in a small booster. Long term I would keep the Tundra.

And, as a side note, circling back to the minivan, it doesn't have to be boring or soccer-mom....

 

For reference, my friend has a Civic and he can put his 9 year old, 6 year old and 3 year old in the back seat. Certainly the chesterfield-sized rear seat in the Tundra CM should be more than enough for 3 kids plus a dog.

 

Has your wife driven a Sienna? I have 4 kids (aged 2-9). No dog right now. Looked at replacing our '15 Sienna with a Sequoia. The lack of space in the Sequoia compared to the Sienna was a deal braker. The realization was that the only thing with a similar amount of space to a minivan is a Suburban/Yukon XL, or you can go next level and get a Sprinter. We ended up getting the new Tundra (with front bench so can fit the whole family for winter mountain trips) and keeping our Sienna. May go with an AWD Sienna (see attached photo for potential with lift, etc.) at some point, or a 4x4 Sprinter when we move to the mountains.

I tell people that the Sienna is the most "painfully practical" vehicle you can get. Everything else is a compromise for a family of 5+, unless you want to drop $80k+ on a Suburban/Yukon XL that will fall apart on you, or drive around in a gigantic Sprinter.

As for the Highlander suggestions, our Sienna replaced a '15 Highlander. In my opinion, it was way too small for a family of 5, let alone 6. The third row is way too small for anyone taller than 5' and the storage space is tiny with the 3rd row up. Same for a Subaru Ascent, Honda Pilot, etc.

Don't get rid of your sweet Tundra. Ditch the Jeep.

 

In my experience, when you get into the bigger platforms (Odyssey/Pilot/Ridgeline), they’re not very reliable at all. Several friends have Odysseys as their family haulers. One guy uses it for his 3-piece band’s touring vehicle. More of them than not have transmission issues. My friend with the band buys a new one every 80k because he loves it and that’s when the trans crapped out in his first one. He’s on his third. Why he doesn’t look at a Sienna I’ll never understand...

Honda/Acura’s ratings at Dashboard Light aren’t the greatest, either. 36/100 for the Odyssey and 47/100 for the MDX.

I’d have to have the lifetime power train warranty from Honda if I were to buy one of those vehicles.

 

I second this, Honda quality has gone way down. As previously mentioned I bought a CRV with a known engine harmonic that caused significant vibration in the steering wheel and seat, and Honda continued to sell them even though they knew this was an issue. A class action lawsuit happened, which they deserved, and they then redesigned it as that was the only way to get rid of the problem. Before I bought my highlander I test drove another CRV, as I was thinking of downsizing, and the thing stalled as I was backing it up, and it was a brand new one!! The CRV they redesigned had issues with oil leaking into the gas, and my mom has one of those, they at least extended the warrantees a few years extra. A friend bought a Pilot a couple years ago and it was in the shop more than it was on the road, so anyway, I no longer trust Honda.

It's unfortunate, but overall Honda quality, in my opinion, no longer exists!

-T

 

Well that's too bad to hear about your guys experience with Honda. Just bought a 2021 odyssey. Let's hope for many trouble free miles. In either case you win some you lose some

 

Which engine is in that CRV? I know they had the same issue with the 1.5T in the Civics bit, in my opinion, that's not enough engine for a CRV.

 

You will be fine. We have had 3 Odysseys. First one 211,000 miles, and last one more than 160,000. Never any significant issues. They did have transmission problems but I think it has been resolved. I never had that on ours, so it was hit or miss for people. Back in 2010 through 2012-ish they started cutting on R&D budget and stopped test fitting components from different suppliers. That bit them in the ass and they realized it, so they are now back on track. Hondas are reliable. I prefer Toyota and my wife Honda, and either one is welcome in my driveway (although my wife currently drives a Toyota).

 

Gave my 2006 Ridgeline to my son a couple of years ago. He is still driving it daily and is closing in on 200k miles. Nothing but routine maintenance on the stock engine and transmission....

 

I am not sure about the engine, I thinking it was the earth dreams turbo? Heres an article.

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2018/honda-cr-v-vibration-lawsuit-.shtml

 

Tundra sold for waay more than I expected. Decided to go with a 2020 Sequoia and flying to LA for it next week. Thanks for everyone's feedback. Even all the diehard minivan supporters. =p

 

Congrats....post some pics when you have it!

 

Saw your Tundra on CL the other day.

I’m also interested in a Sequoia for a few reasons. It fits in my garage for starters, Tundra CM technically can but I’d be kissing the wall. I can also sleep in it after a off road trip. And most importantly, I bought a bunch of stuff in anticipation for my Tundra so I’d still be able to use it on the Sequoia.

 

I can lay down in the back of the crewmax. I'm only 5' 9" though.

Ever since I got married this is a requirement for any vehicle I own

 

Please let me step in real quick and help anyone else from entering this thread:

 

20 years ago 5’ 9” was sufficiently tall. Now people say “only” like everyone’s built like an oak tree nowadays. But that’s good since I’m only 5’ 3”. I can sleep anywhere.

I’m small enough to be able to share the inside of a Sequoia with gear on one side and myself on the other. Also single, so no need to make space for anyone else.

At least that’s my rationale for a Sequoia. The IRS is a bit strange to me but my off roading would mainly just be dirt road type deals. I had a LT 4Runner before that I barely got to use.

 

back with a quick walkaround

https://youtu.be/1UBT8uPOPus

 

Nice ride. In case you pursue that van life…

https://us.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/forum/48-sienna-club/

https://www.toyotanation.com/forums/sienna-forum.272/

https://www.siennachat.com/

 

Congrats!!! Personally, I can't get over the interior in those. It seems like it got stuck in 2013. If I could afford one + gas, I would give it a shot.