2012 Toyota Sequoia Total Car Score Analysis

The 2012 Toyota Sequoia earns a below average Total Car Score in the Large SUV & Crossover segment. 
 
As you’d expect, the Sequoia's principle attraction is its cavernous interior, which offers comfortable seating for up to eight passengers. A third-row seat that folds down into the floor also makes it significantly easier to fill that space with cargo than is the case with some competitors. A refined ride quality, confident handling and a pair of brawny V8 engines also make for a better driving experience than you might expect from a large truck-based SUV.  
 
The downsides here are equally unsurprising, starting with the challenges of maneuvering a vehicle this size in tight quarters. Then there's the dismal fuel economy, especially with the otherwise impressive 5.7-liter V8, and the fact that the Sequoia's 7,400-pound towing capacity is slightly less than some of its competitors. Some may also find the steep price tags on top trim levels to be a bit off-putting. 
 
While its future — like all large truck-based SUVs — may be in doubt, the 2012 Toyota Sequoia soldiers on with just a couple of improvements, including standard trailer sway control on all models and a standard blind-spot warning system for top-of-the-line Platinum trim level.

2012 Toyota Sequoia Model Line-Up

The 2012 Toyota Sequoia is a fullsize eight-passenger SUV that's offered in SR5, Limited and Platinum trim levels.  
 
There are two engines available. The SR5's standard 4.6-liter V8 produces 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque, while Limited and Platinum models come with a 5.7-liter V8 that puts out 381 hp and 401 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard. A four-wheel drive system with a low-range transfer case is available as an option. 
 
Standard features on the entry-level SR5 include 18-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated outside mirrors, a sunroof, roof rack, running boards, deep-tinted rear privacy glass, a power rear window, a towing package, and keyless entry. Inside there's three-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, power front seats, a 40/20/40 sliding and reclining second-row bench seat, 60/40-split reclining and fold-flat third-row seat, cruise control, Bluetooth cell phone and streaming audio capability and a CD stereo with satellite radio and eight speakers. 
 
Moving up to the Limited trim level gets you 20-inch alloy wheels, power-folding/auto-dimming outside mirrors, front/rear ultrasonic parking sensors, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, a power-folding third-row seat, a rearview camera, retractable sunshades for the second- and third-row windows and a premium JBL audio system with a six-disc CD changer and 14 speakers. The top-of-the-line Platinum model adds 20-inch chrome alloy wheels, a rear air suspension and adaptive shock absorbers, adaptive cruise control, perforated leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, driver's seat memory feature, heated second-row captain's chairs, a touch-screen navigation system, a rear-seat video entertainment system and a four-disc CD changer. 
 
Available option packages bring many of the Limited model's standard features to the SR5. Similarly, many of the Platinum trim level's extras can also be added to the Limited. 
 
The 2012 Toyota Sequoia equipped with a 4.6-liter engine returns EPA fuel economy estimates of 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined with two-wheel drive, and and 13/18/15 with four-wheel drive. With the 5.7-liter V8, those numbers drop to 13/18/15 and 13/17/14 respectively. 
 
Properly equipped, the 2012 Toyota Sequoia can tow up to 7,400 pounds.

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