Best Used Toyota Full-Size SUV - Sequoia, Land Cruiser

While Toyota spent most of the 1980s and 90s playing catch-up to the Big Three in terms of full-size pickup truck design, one area where they had no trouble competing was the sport-utility vehicle market. Toyota had been churning out excellent off-road vehicles in a variety of different classes for decades, and their full-size Land Cruiser SUV matched many Land Rover offerings as the standard of the world when it came to dependability, 4x4 competence and excellent suspension setups.

The Land Cruiser approached the full-size sport-utility segment from a very different angle when in comparison to its domestic contemporaries. Instead of grafting a larger body onto a pickup truck frame the Land Cruiser was actually a purpose-built vehicle which was specifically aimed at those who often found themselves far from civilization and all that came with it: gas stations, mechanics and spare parts. The Land Cruiser’s tough diesel engines and easy to repair design made it very popular among those who depended on their vehicle starting every single morning when the key was turned in order to gain their livelihood.

While the Land Cruiser sold reasonably well in America, especially since Toyota chose to enhance it for that particular market with a host of luxury features, the company quickly came to realize that there was a significant percentage of the SUV-buying public which honestly didn’t care about off-road performance. These full-size sport-utility drivers were primarily concerned with how much stuff their truck could haul, how many passengers it could seat, and how large a trailer could be towed behind it. This discovery lead Toyota to leverage their Tundra truck platform into something that could help satisfy the SUV-as-people-mover market. A dual full-size attack allowed them to respond to market demands without diluting the purity of the Land Cruiser’s intended function.

Both the Sequoia and Land-Cruiser SUV’s have aged well on the used market. The Land Cruiser is in many ways without parallel in terms of capability and robust design, and it has enjoyed little or no competition from other factory rock crawlers and desert crossers for an extended period of time. The Sequoia has benefited from satisfied Sienna buyers looking to up-size their vehicle while staying within the Toyota brand. This article discusses these two large trucks and examines which generation of each currently presents the best value as a used full-size SUV.

2001 – 2007 Toyota Sequoia

Bigger than the Land Cruiser in every way, the 2001 – 2007 Toyota Sequoia represents the Japanese company’s attempt to take on the domestic truck makers on their home turf. The Sequoia is based largely on the Toyota Tundra pickup, and as a result this SUV is longer and bulkier than any full-size SUV ever released by the automaker. The result  is a sport-utility vehicle that seats eight in the veritable lap of luxury, especially when ordered in Limited trim.

Even the base SR5 model Sequoia is outfitted with power windows and door locks, dual climate controls, power seats, and an excellent sound system. The Limited adds leather, more attractive exterior trim, a moon roof and a roof rack. A trip computer and DVD entertainment system are available as options. All Sequoias come with exceptional interior room, and three passengers can easily fit themselves into the second row seats. The rear-most row is a bit difficult to access, compounded by the vehicle’s considerable ride height, but when removed it provides prodigious space for hauling around vast amounts of cargo.

The 2001 – 2007 Toyota Sequoia is powered by a 4.7 liter V8 engine that made 240 horsepower until 2004 when it was upgraded with variable-valve timing which added another 42 ponies to the already generous 325 lb-ft of torque. The SUV can be outfitted with four-wheel drive for those who require the extra traction during slippery weather, and while early models made do with a 4-speed automatic, a 5-speed was installed from 2005 onwards. The Sequoia is a heavy vehicle and can tow around 6,200 lbs, but it still manages to shine while being driven around town or on the highway. Anti-lock brakes, stability control and traction control all work together to make the big truck a safe ride for the entire family.

As far as full-size SUV’s go, the 2001 – 2007 Toyota Sequoia ranks up there with the Ford Expedition and the Chevrolet Tahoe in terms of value on the used market. When considering Toyota’s reputation for reliability and low cost of ownership, it has a slight edge when compared against the domestic competition.

1998 – 2007 Land Cruiser

For a vehicle that has consistently made the cover of off-roading magazines the world over, the Toyota Land Cruiser is still one of the most civilized trail-capable SUV’s available. The 1998 – 2007 models are even easier to live with than Land Cruisers from the past, thanks to the decision to use an independent front suspension that helps to make the vehicle more controllable during on-road driving.

The venerable full-size SUV manages to maintain its 4x4 prowess despite the encroachment of a more comfort-based philosophy for the vehicle. The vehicle’s full-time four-wheel drive system is a marvel, able to split torque front to rear as well as swap it from side to side at the forward wheels in order to search out the best available traction. Hill-descent assist, adaptive braking and traction control help to make this edition of the Land Cruiser one of the best when it comes to wilderness adventures. A brand new 4.7 liter V8 is on hand to provide all the grunt needed to overcome whatever obstacles may present themselves, and with 265 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque it acquits itself admirably.

Most buyers in North America will no doubt restrict their Land Cruiser use to the paved roads of the urban jungle, where it will be pressed into service as family transportation. This is another area where the full-size SUV is well qualified, as seating for 8 people is available depending upon the vehicle’s configuration – although the truck is best enjoyed with the rear seats removed for extra storage space. Leather is standard equipment, as are a number of luxury options usually only found in very high end SUV’s, depending upon which year Land Cruiser a buyer is looking at. It is possible to find versions of the sport-utility vehicle which match a Lexus or a Cadillac in terms of equipment, making it an appealing choice for used SUV customers on a budget.

The 2001 – 2007 Toyota Land Cruiser is an absolute bargain for anyone who needs a capable used off-road vehicle that can double as classy high-capacity transportation 7 days a week.