BIG WHEELIN'; Toyota builds a better Sequoia.(News)

Byline: MAC MORRISON

Although the mainstream press has lost its collective mind over Toyota's green initiatives in recent years, light trucks are as much a part of the company's U.S. presence as are hybrids, compact cars and sedans. In 2006, SUVs, trucks and vans accounted for 46 percent of Toyota's sales in this country.

SUVs made up half of that mix, with no shortage of choices. Toyota offers six models that cover the full ute spectrum, from the car-based RAV4 to the FJ Cruiser off-roader to the full-size luxury Land Cruiser ("Bruiser of a Cruiser,'' AW, Oct. 15) and the new Sequoia.

Savvy observers know that Toyota tends to dip its toe conservatively into new waters but learns lessons fast; the 2008 Sequoia improves significantly on the original, which debuted in late 2000.

Toyota developed the Sequoia in conjunction with its new Tundra pickup, and the two are structurally identical from the front bumper to the B-pillar. Unlike the Tundra, the ute uses a fully boxed frame all the way through to the chassis's rear. The Sequoia's ride and handling benefit noticeably from the beefed-up frame.

The Sequoia's size increase is the big story. Wheelbase grows almost four inches to 122.0 inches, length increases from 203.9 to 205.1 inches, and width increases an inch to 79.9, putting it dimensionally between Chevrolet's Tahoe and Suburban.

This translates to comfortable travel no matter which row of seats you occupy. A large portion of the extra cabin space benefits the back seat, which has 5.5 extra inches of legroom and about five additional inches of shoulder room compared with the old model. Six-foot-tall passengers have enough room even in the third row to tolerate long drives. This is now a legitimate eight-passenger vehicle.