Sequoia versus Highlander Hybrid

Hello

I am hoping to replace my aging, high-mileage Honda Odyssey and never
own another minivan. But I still have 4 kids and need something that
will handle at least 6 passengers.

The Sequoia seems big enough and I like the available two bucket rows
configuration. But the gas mileage is scary. However, is the
Highlander Hybrid big enough and is the mileage as good as EPA's
numbers (consumer reports provides a very low number, but all of their
numbers are absurdly low which makes me wonder who is test driving the
car and where?)

If anyone has owned both a Sequoia and Highlander and could comment,
that would be great. I can drive around the block in them but wonder
how'd they be for 12-hour fun-filled trips.

Thanks in advance.

Stan Plante
Chagrin Falls, OH

My casual observation is that the Sequoia is based onthe tundra Truck, and
the Highlander is a Camry platform. Assuming this to be true, I can't
imagine all of you guys fitting into the Highlander with the comfort and
space you now enjoy with the Odyssey.

The EPA has redone the fuel mileage test to come up with more accurate real
world figures. I suspect that CR has been using a similar test for a very
long time because they historically report lower figures than the car
makers. I think the relationship of figures between two vehicles is a
reasonable guage of how much gas one drinks as compared to the other, even
if the actual amount of gas is different than the figures on the window
sticker. Bottom line, you can expect the Sequoia to demand more pump time
than the Highlander no matter who's numbers are used.

You didn't say how old the kids are, but odds suggest they will be larger
tomorrow than they are today, so the cramped cabin within the Highlander
will become more of an issue before the last payment coupon is mailed in.






<StanPlante@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1173623328.685375.295140@t69g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello
>
> I am hoping to replace my aging, high-mileage Honda Odyssey and never
> own another minivan. But I still have 4 kids and need something that
> will handle at least 6 passengers.
>
> The Sequoia seems big enough and I like the available two bucket rows
> configuration. But the gas mileage is scary. However, is the
> Highlander Hybrid big enough and is the mileage as good as EPA's
> numbers (consumer reports provides a very low number, but all of their
> numbers are absurdly low which makes me wonder who is test driving the
> car and where?)
>
> If anyone has owned both a Sequoia and Highlander and could comment,
> that would be great. I can drive around the block in them but wonder
> how'd they be for 12-hour fun-filled trips.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Stan Plante
> Chagrin Falls, OH
>[/color]

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:0AVIh.839$I56.28@trnddc06...[color=blue]
> My casual observation is that the Sequoia is based onthe tundra Truck, and
> the Highlander is a Camry platform. Assuming this to be true, I can't
> imagine all of you guys fitting into the Highlander with the comfort and
> space you now enjoy with the Odyssey.
>
> The EPA has redone the fuel mileage test to come up with more accurate
> real world figures. I suspect that CR has been using a similar test for a
> very long time because they historically report lower figures than the car
> makers. I think the relationship of figures between two vehicles is a
> reasonable guage of how much gas one drinks as compared to the other, even
> if the actual amount of gas is different than the figures on the window
> sticker. Bottom line, you can expect the Sequoia to demand more pump time
> than the Highlander no matter who's numbers are used.
>
> You didn't say how old the kids are, but odds suggest they will be larger
> tomorrow than they are today, so the cramped cabin within the Highlander
> will become more of an issue before the last payment coupon is mailed in.
>[/color]

The revised EPA fuel economy test procedures do not take effect until the
2008 model year. EPA fuel economy is derived using a dynamometer and
special test fuel.

I believe that CR arrives at their fuel economy figures by driving around
their course with a fairly heavy foot to simulate real-world fuel economy by
a driver who is in a "hurry."
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

In article <1173623328.685375.295140@t69g2000cwt.googlegroups.com>,
[email]StanPlante@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
> I am hoping to replace my aging, high-mileage Honda Odyssey and never
> own another minivan.[/color]

Why not?

A minivan offers twice the interior room of any SUV. What is it you're
trying to accomplish?

<StanPlante@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1173623328.685375.295140@t69g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> Hello
>
> I am hoping to replace my aging, high-mileage Honda Odyssey and never
> own another minivan. But I still have 4 kids and need something that
> will handle at least 6 passengers.
>
> The Sequoia seems big enough and I like the available two bucket rows
> configuration. But the gas mileage is scary. However, is the
> Highlander Hybrid big enough and is the mileage as good as EPA's
> numbers (consumer reports provides a very low number, but all of their
> numbers are absurdly low which makes me wonder who is test driving the
> car and where?)
>
> If anyone has owned both a Sequoia and Highlander and could comment,
> that would be great. I can drive around the block in them but wonder
> how'd they be for 12-hour fun-filled trips.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Stan Plante
> Chagrin Falls, OH
>[/color]

We have a 2003 Sequoia. The third row seats in the Sequoia are very roomy
and are comparable to most minivans. We have had tall teens sit in the
third row for 12 hour trips with no complaints. Getting into the 3rd row
seat is a little more awkward than in a minivan because you have to flip the
2nd row seat forward, but once you get the hang of it, it is no problem.

While I do not own a Highlander or 4Runner, I have sat in the 3rd row seats
at the auto show, and there is much less leg room than in the Sequoia. I am
5'-7" and the 3rd row seat was uncomfortable for me, even for a few minutes
at the show.

The current Sequoia has a 5 speed automatic transmission; ours has a 4
speed. My wife gets around 12 - 13 MPG around town, I get around 14 - 15
around town and 17 - 18 on the highway. The transmission in the current
Sequoia should get around 1 -2 MPG better than ours. The torque and
horsepower of the 4.7 liter V8 are enough that you don't notice the engine
straining when it is fully loaded like we used to with our minivan.

We have around 48,000 miles on our Sequoia, and have had zero repairs, only
routine maintenance items. So far, we have replaced the tires at around
41,000 miles, the front brake pads & caliper pins at 48,000 miles, and oil
changes.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

"Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:0AVIh.839$I56.28@trnddc06...[color=blue]
> My casual observation is that the Sequoia is based onthe tundra Truck, and
> the Highlander is a Camry platform. Assuming this to be true, I can't
> imagine all of you guys fitting into the Highlander with the comfort and
> space you now enjoy with the Odyssey.
>
> The EPA has redone the fuel mileage test to come up with more accurate
> real world figures. I suspect that CR has been using a similar test for a
> very long time because they historically report lower figures than the car
> makers. I think the relationship of figures between two vehicles is a
> reasonable guage of how much gas one drinks as compared to the other, even
> if the actual amount of gas is different than the figures on the window
> sticker. Bottom line, you can expect the Sequoia to demand more pump time
> than the Highlander no matter who's numbers are used.
>
> You didn't say how old the kids are, but odds suggest they will be larger
> tomorrow than they are today, so the cramped cabin within the Highlander
> will become more of an issue before the last payment coupon is mailed in.[/color]

Don't forget the "new" 2008 Highlander will be larger. So it might be worth
waiting for that. The Sequoia is due for replacementent as well. It is the
weakest full size SUV. The 2008 Tundra will move up in size to try and
compete with the full size SUVs from Ford and GM (and Nissan). Of course, it
is likely this won't help the gas mileage.

Ed

On Mar 11, 4:14 pm, "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <e...@nastydesigns.com> wrote:[color=blue]
> In article <1173623328.685375.295...@t69g2000cwt.googlegroups.com>,
>
> StanPla...@gmail.com wrote:[color=green]
> > I am hoping to replace my aging, high-mileage Honda Odyssey and never
> > own another minivan.[/color]
>
> Why not?
>
> A minivan offers twice the interior room of any SUV. What is it you're
> trying to accomplish?[/color]

I guess it is because with kids ranging from diapers to college, my
wife and I have been buying station wagons and minivans since 1990 and
want something snobbier to drive.

Sad but true.

Stan

FWIW, I was talking early one morning with the sales manager about the 08
Highlander. Said he could make a heck of a deal on an 07 Hybrid 'lander.
What kind of driving did I do? When I told him he advised against the
hybrid as mileage is okay around town but not worth the extra money on
mostly higher speeds (was my thought also) - the 08 'lander looks very good
and probably worth a look for you.

I've never needed a larger rig than my Highlander but no kids at home and
usually no more than 2 or 3 grandkids at a time.

Ron (in Ca)

In article <1173649762.167574.190870@n33g2000cwc.googlegroups.com>,
[email]StanPlante@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue][color=green]
> > A minivan offers twice the interior room of any SUV. What is it you're
> > trying to accomplish?[/color]
>
> I guess it is because with kids ranging from diapers to college, my
> wife and I have been buying station wagons and minivans since 1990 and
> want something snobbier to drive.
>
> Sad but true.[/color]

wow....wow............

So what makes a Sequoia or Highlander "snobbier"? Do members of your
social circle truly rank a Toyota SUV, and by extension its driver,
higher on their "snob" list than a Toyota minivan that's outfitted like,
and drives like, a Lexus?

And....and....these people would be in your social circle....why?

Can you possibly compete with those people? Or will you get the
Sequoia, only to be trumped a week later by one of them buying something
else?

Let me guess--you have at least one friend who bought a Prius simply
because it was a Prius and gave her bragging rights, not because it
solved any problem in her life.

You'd struggle with the relative lack of room in an SUV compared to the
Sienna, and the difficulty in getting people into that third row, and/or
the difficulty in parking the silly thing, AND the fuel bill, for the
"pleasure" of....what? Will your current friends dump you if you get
yet another station wagon/minivan? (Friends, not acquaintances.)

What sort of message does that deliver to your kids? You know kids are
smart; you know they're going to ask you why you bought that big silly
SUV that you can't park, that they can't get into the third row without
Cirque du Soleil contortions, that they hear you gripe about the fuel
costs. And you know they're going to say out loud, "I don't know why
Dad bought this thing, I liked the minivan better".

I'm floored.

<StanPlante@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1173649762.167574.190870@n33g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> On Mar 11, 4:14 pm, "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <e...@nastydesigns.com> wrote:[color=green]
>> In article <1173623328.685375.295...@t69g2000cwt.googlegroups.com>,
>>
>> StanPla...@gmail.com wrote:[color=darkred]
>> > I am hoping to replace my aging, high-mileage Honda Odyssey and never
>> > own another minivan.[/color]
>>
>> Why not?
>>
>> A minivan offers twice the interior room of any SUV. What is it you're
>> trying to accomplish?[/color]
>
> I guess it is because with kids ranging from diapers to college, my
> wife and I have been buying station wagons and minivans since 1990 and
> want something snobbier to drive.
>
> Sad but true.
>
> Stan[/color]

Well, it's your money. You can get the car you need or the car you want.
The one you want will cost more than the one you need.

We're driving a minivan until we're done moving kids into and out of college
and then maybe there will be grandkids to deal with and we'll get... another
minivan. I don't think you'll find that a Sequoia configured for two plus
cargo or three plus cargo (our college dropoff/pickup profiles) will haul
more dorm junk than a minivan. I'd bet a quarter that most minivans are
quieter, too, which is a huge benefit on those 12 hour trips.

Ray O also mentioned his mileage and brake experience. Our Sienna mileage
is 19 or so around town and 24-26 when heavily loaded on the highway. I
drive gently in town but noticeably over the limits on the highway. We're
also on our first set of brake pads at 65K miles (maybe 50% left? I forget
what they said at the 60K service). The 6 will be more economical than the
8 to service, I expect.

A Sienna XLE is more luxuriously equipped than an SR5 Sequoia for probably
$3K less. An LE might be a little nicer, too, for even less.

My $.02 - get the minivan. Splurge on some option or option package that
you wouldn't ordinarily get and then you'll have a "luxury car." Focus on
that, rather than the minivan aspect.



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from [url]http://www.teranews.com[/url]

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop@nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-CE5482.15142011032007@nntp1.usenetserver.com...[color=blue]
> In article <1173623328.685375.295140@t69g2000cwt.googlegroups.com>,
> [email]StanPlante@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>[color=green]
>> I am hoping to replace my aging, high-mileage Honda Odyssey and never
>> own another minivan.[/color]
>
> Why not?
>
> A minivan offers twice the interior room of any SUV. What is it you're
> trying to accomplish?[/color]

Things I don't like about mini-vans -

- Weird driving position on top of front wheels
- Styling, I just think they are ugly
- Mediocre performance
- Minimal towing capacity
- I dislike sliding doors
- The ones I have driven handle poorly
- Did I mention they are ugly?

Having said all that, what makes a Highlander less desirable than a Sienna?
They are both based on the Camry drive train. It seems to me that the
Highlander is little more than a Sienna with conventional doors and a better
driver's location.

If you plan to tow anything larger than a small trailer or a small boat, the
Sequoia is a better choice - at least in my opinion. If you are plan to
drive off road (like the beach) or in a lot of snow, the Sequoia is also a
better choice (at least if you are locked in on a Toyota),

If you like a Crossover type vehicle, like the Highlander, there are lots of
choices that might be worth looking at - Honda Pilot, Ford Edge, Mazda CX-9,
Ford Freestyle, etc. and more are coming all the time. It is a very popular
category these days.

I have friends than own both the Pilot and the Highlander. And my Mother has
a Freestyle. No complaints from any of them. I've driven the Freestyle
extensively and think it is a very good vehicle. Unfortunately I don't much
care for the styling. If I was going to pick one of the three, I'd probably
go for the Pilot, based on appearance and capabilities.

Ed

<StanPlante@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1173649762.167574.190870@n33g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...[color=blue]
> On Mar 11, 4:14 pm, "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <e...@nastydesigns.com> wrote:[color=green]
>> In article <1173623328.685375.295...@t69g2000cwt.googlegroups.com>,
>>
>> StanPla...@gmail.com wrote:[color=darkred]
>> > I am hoping to replace my aging, high-mileage Honda Odyssey and never
>> > own another minivan.[/color]
>>
>> Why not?
>>
>> A minivan offers twice the interior room of any SUV. What is it you're
>> trying to accomplish?[/color]
>
> I guess it is because with kids ranging from diapers to college, my
> wife and I have been buying station wagons and minivans since 1990 and
> want something snobbier to drive.
>
> Sad but true.
>
> Stan
>[/color]

For us, the switch from mini van to the Sequoia was more power. Big kids
weigh more than infants, and with frequent camping/climbing excursions on
rough, unpaved roads that are sometimes unplowed or muddy, towing the
troop's trailer, hauling the contents of the kids' dorm rooms to college,
the SUV made sense for us. Once the youngest is done with college, we'll
probably move to a Highlander or RX size SUV because I still plan on camping
and climbing, just with fewer kids.

BTW, unless you are hauling 4x8 sheets of plywood, the Sequoia has more room
than our minivan did, with room for 8 passengers in the Sequoia vs. 7 in the
minivan.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)