The 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA- With the uncanny success of the full-sized Tundra, it was just a matter of time before a Tundra-based SUV came along. Rumors escalated from here to the east, but this is now a reality. On sale late this year as a 2001 model, the newest member-to-be of Toyota's truck family blends rugged good looks with V-8 power and luxurious innards to make an SUV that's perfect for buyers who need something larger and more powerful than a 4Runner but can't quite hack the Land Cruiser's heady $50K price point.

Using the same platform as the Tundra, the new Sequoia will be built in the to-of-the-line assembly plant in Princeton, Indiana. Toyota's truck family blends rugged good looks with V-8 power and luxurious innards.

Bumper to bumper measures come in at a hair under 204 inches and a 118-inch wheelbase. Translation: Slightly larger than a Chevy Tahoe, but a few inches trimmer than the Ford Expedition. What makes the Sequoia a real competitor is its 11-plus inches of ground clearance (4x4 trim), which tops both the other big-utes and guarantees an easy climb for the most challenging terrain.

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A third row seat comes standard, and Toyota claims the Sequoia offers much more useable room and a greater ease-of-use than the Chevy or Ford: Rounding out an already appealing package includes curtain-shield side airbags and three-point seatbelts for all eight passengers, a first for any Toyota truck or SUV. The expected goodies are also present: power windows/locks/mirror, air conditioning, and tilt steering column; a few on the list of standard features.

While the Tundra's brawny frame with single-piece side rails and eight crossmembers carries over intact, the Sequoia's suspension design has been modified to provide better ride comfort and control. Up front, you'll still find double wishbones; but in the rear, the five-bar link solid axle will be sprung by coils in place of the less-sophisticated leaf units used in the pickup. Four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock are also part of the Sequoia standards list.

The sole engine in the new Sequoia will be the same smooth, free-revving 4.7-liter DOHC i-Force V-8 used in the Tundra, It produces an ample 240 horses and 315 pound-feet of torque, while winning Toyota its first truck status of an Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle from the EPA. Matched to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, it will be offered in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, with Toyota's Vehicle Stability Control system.

The interior is quiet and roomy. Traditional from Toyota, a flawless layout put everything within reach. Controls are where you would expect them to be, and buttons are large and comfortable. One major gripe is that the gauges, lit from behind, can be a problem in a sharp glare or bright conditions. Firm captains chairs keep the passengers up front satisfied, and more legroom ensures a leisurely drive.

Although Toyota provided no pricing specifics: Expect to see the two-wheel-drive Sequoia start around $35,000 with the four-wheel-drive version coming in closer to $40K. Prices are kept in par with the veteran Expedition and Tahoe, which makes the new Sequoia a real threat to the aforementioned segment leaders. AZ/AutoNetDirect.com

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