2nd Generation Sequoia...what year is the best? (7 Viewers)

[LX470Airstreamer]

Greetings. We are looking at finally replacing our minivan with a second generation Sequoia. This truck will share the driveway with our 2003 LX470 which we just love. It is our first Toyota V8.

For background knowledge, we are seeking one for a family bus, road trip vehicle, and tow vehicle. We have two smaller vintage Airstreams, and like the idea of the slightly higher tow rating for the Sequoias, though the LX470 did a stellar job this past summer toting our 24-footer around (under 5K loaded).

We see lots of 2008 Sequoias for sale on FB Marketplace. They are reasonably priced, and they don't seem to be too high mileage. From my reading thus far, many folks say to stay away from the 2008s. Is that just because it is the first model year for the new body style?

What engine did the second generation Sequoias have? I have read that some of the earliest still had the 4.7, while elsewhere, I have read that all of the second generation Sequoias had the 5.7. I have also begun hearing about issues with the 5.7 and massive, costly head gasket failures as the engines get up around the 200k mark.

Looking for the thoughts of the membership here. No better place to tap into some awesome Toyota enthusiasts' knowledge. We aren't in a hurry to buy. We will find the right one when we find it...but I want to be able to feel I've done my due diligence in picking the best one for us.

 

[TaishoCruiser]

Hopefully someone with more second gen knowledge will jump in.

On engines, lower spec 2008 and 2009 Sequoias had the 2UZ, 2010-2012 some had the 1UR, but you could get the 3UR from 2008 onward in some trims (Platinum and or Limited?) and I think it was the only option from 2013 onwards. One or both of the smaller engines (pretty sure on the 2UZ) might have been paired with a 5 speed vs the 6 speed, and that might be why some people stay away from the earlier models, at least if they are the non-3UR spec?

There were some big updates, safety wise, for 2018+ models (blind spot monitoring etc).

 

[Jetboy]

I'm not an expert in gen 2 sequoias. But as a starting point for me - I'd look for a 2018 or newer for the updated interior and better headlights. I think Apple Carplay and Android Auto became features in MY 2020. So maybe a 2020 or later if you want those.

I have a 2016 Tundra that I bought quickly without a lot of planning mid covid (needed a truck, already sold my F250, 2022 new one showed up, after a test drive was underwhelming I didn't buy it and still needed a truck ASAP and grabbed the best deal on a Gen2 I could find.) Had I spent a bit more time - I would have waited to find a 2018 or later to get the upgraded headlights and possibly a 2020 for the Android Auto/Carplay features and keyless entry. Not dealbreakers, but I would have rather paid a bit more to get them vs my 2016.

 

[VentoGT]

@LX470Airstreamer Since this thread popped I'll toss in on it. Here is the wiki engine link Toyota Sequoia - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Sequoia#Engines - For what you are looking for the Sequoia is hard to beat in my opinion. I don't tow but bought mine for many of the same reasons you are looking at them. I'd go as new as you can afford even though there were few changes throughout the years.

The main issue I have seen on the board is the coolant valley leak but it does not appear to be crazy - my truck only has about 23K on it at the moment but I plan on keeping it for the long haul. I think there have been a small with head gasket problems but it's not an issue like the rover with timing chains, BMWs with persistent coolant issues or anything overarching like that. Hope you come back to let us know what you ended up doing

 

[LX470Airstreamer]

@LX470Airstreamer Since this thread popped I'll toss in on it. Here is the wiki engine link Toyota Sequoia - Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Sequoia#Engines - For what you are looking for the Sequoia is hard to beat in my opinion. I don't tow but bought mine for many of the same reasons you are looking at them. I'd go as new as you can afford even though there were few changes throughout the years.

The main issue I have seen on the board is the coolant valley leak but it does not appear to be crazy - my truck only has about 23K on it at the moment but I plan on keeping it for the long haul. I think there have been a small with head gasket problems but it's not an issue like the rover with timing chains, BMWs with persistent coolant issues or anything overarching like that. Hope you come back to let us know what you ended up doing

Thank you for responding! We are still searching for a 2nd Gen Sequoia! We did go to test drive one semi-locally, and my wife LOVED the additional interior elbow room - which sets these trucks apart from our LX470. She is excited to get one so the girls have a little more room to spread out on long trips.

Unfortunately, the search has been futile so far. We have queried a few dozen online, but nothing acceptable enough to lay out the cash. We are also a bit picky in that we now know we want a Platinum trim level or at least a Limited with the center captains' chairs.

We were hoping to have the right Sequoia for when we travel cross country this summer with the Airstream (literally coast-to-coast), but we are feeling like that probably won't happen at this point. Fingers crossed we stumble on the right truck!

 

[Mowgli87]

My wife and I just made the jump from a 2009 LX to a 2012 Sequoia for pretty similar reasons. We got ours sort of locally (about an hour away) this past weekend. We had been watching the sale ad for a few weeks.

From a local club member my hot list of what to watch out for was the following:

• Excessive ticking from the timing tensioner on cold start. A few seconds is fine. If it ticks for more than 10 ish seconds go ahead and plan to replace the tensioner ASAP. Consider using that as a bargaining chip. If it ticks during the test drive, leave it and find another one.
• Like you already mentioned, the coolant in the valley. With a good light and the right angle you can just see under the intake manifold to some parts of the valley. It should be pretty evident if there is dried coolant residue lurking under there.
• Valve cover seal near the timing chain. More of a nuisance than impending doom. It is apparently a simple, albeit tedious job to repair the form-in-place-gasket. That Toyota branded FIPG is pricey though.
• Cracks or hairline fractures in the radiator and/or any main coolant lines. Similar to the 200 series LC/LX radiator, they have stress risers in a couple places that tend to weep and then rupture.
• CV Axle seals

 

[VentoGT]

Thank you for responding! We are still searching for a 2nd Gen Sequoia! We did go to test drive one semi-locally, and my wife LOVED the additional interior elbow room - which sets these trucks apart from our LX470. She is excited to get one so the girls have a little more room to spread out on long trips.

Unfortunately, the search has been futile so far. We have queried a few dozen online, but nothing acceptable enough to lay out the cash. We are also a bit picky in that we now know we want a Platinum trim level or at least a Limited with the center captains' chairs.

We were hoping to have the right Sequoia for when we travel cross country this summer with the Airstream (literally coast-to-coast), but we are feeling like that probably won't happen at this point. Fingers crossed we stumble on the right truck!

These rigs are very spacious on the inside and as you might have realized during a test drive, the turning radius is ridiculously tight, making it maneuver especially at slow speeds like a much smaller vehicle. We have a GX460 with twice the turning radius so it is noticeable. They made plenty of these rigs so just be patient and you'll find the right one

 

[vtl]

What engine did the second generation Sequoias have? I have read that some of the earliest still had the 4.7, while elsewhere, I have read that all of the second generation Sequoias had the 5.7. I have also begun hearing about issues with the 5.7 and massive, costly head gasket failures as the engines get up around the 200k mark.

Just one silly video from CCN... Who don't even understand what is happening with the "gasket".

 

[vtl]

These rigs are very spacious on the inside and as you might have realized during a test drive, the turning radius is ridiculously tight, making it maneuver especially at slow speeds like a much smaller vehicle. We have a GX460 with twice the turning radius so it is noticeable. They made plenty of these rigs so just be patient and you'll find the right one

Sequoia's turn radius is inch better than in a mid-size Swedish wagon!

 

[vtl]

If you want to run your Sequoia bone stock, for towing look for pre-2019 ones, which still have a transmission cooler. I had to add one ($700ish) into wife's 22 TRD PRO.

Also Platinum with its rear air suspension would be a bonus when towing or loaded up for trip. I had to add Timbren SES for rear wheels to have only slight negative camber, not like 15 degrees as it wanted to do.

Captain chairs are cool, but I wish ours had a bench. Three kids still sit comfortably on the bench, but the third row can be folded down now, and it makes Sequoia an enormous camping gear hauler. As is, we had to add Yakima EXO, which is $$$$, and adds to negative rear camber a lot.

 

[hankstruck]

If you want to run your Sequoia bone stock, for towing look for pre-2019 ones, which still have a transmission cooler. I had to add one ($700ish) into wife's 22 TRD PRO.

Also Platinum with its rear air suspension would be a bonus when towing or loaded up for trip. I had to add Timbren SES for rear wheels to have only slight negative camber, not like 15 degrees as it wanted to do.

Captain chairs are cool, but I wish ours had a bench. Three kids still sit comfortably on the bench, but the third row can be folded down now, and it makes Sequoia an enormous camping gear hauler. As is, we had to add Yakima EXO, which is $$$$, and adds to negative rear camber a lot.

This all speaks to me. I tow a 4-5k lb boat with 3 kids and luggage. My heart has wanted a LX570 ever since we got the GX460 but I’m quickly turning over to the Gen2 Sequoia for the space.

Is there a model that has airbags AND a second row bench? I was thinking for 3 kids, I could remove the center console of the captain chair arrangement and the 6 year old could walk back to the one seat left up in the rear to buckle.,, however we’d have to leave that up all the time and he’d be up against luggage which isn’t safe during collisions.

The question then is - what’s the value of the air bags? Is there a way to maintain them so they don’t go bad? How long do they typically last?

 

[vtl]

This all speaks to me. I tow a 4-5k lb boat with 3 kids and luggage. My heart has wanted a LX570 ever since we got the GX460 but I’m quickly turning over to the Gen2 Sequoia for the space.

Is there a model that has airbags AND a second row bench? I was thinking for 3 kids, I could remove the center console of the captain chair arrangement and the 6 year old could walk back to the one seat left up in the rear to buckle.,, however we’d have to leave that up all the time and he’d be up against luggage which isn’t safe during collisions.

The question then is - what’s the value of the air bags? Is there a way to maintain them so they don’t go bad? How long do they typically last?

Do you consider a Tundra? CrewCab has a huge second row which fits 3 kids easily. 5-1/2 ft bed will eat up your luggage and ask for more. Throw in a bed cap and it always stays clean, dry and free of snow. The only downside is a part-time 4WD, which is very minor in real life.

 

[hankstruck]

Do you consider a Tundra? CrewCab has a huge second row which fits 3 kids easily. 5-1/2 ft bed will eat up your luggage and ask for more. Throw in a bed cap and it always stays clean, dry and free of snow. The only downside is a part-time 4WD, which is very minor in real life.

I have a 2011 double cab so not wanting another truck. I love it but it’s a work truck, 2wd, vinyl etc. I’ll keep that thing forever.

A Sequioa would be a nanny vehicle and vacations vehicle while my wife keeps her GX for most daily. The double cab works actually well for kid hauling bc of the wide bench. This would be more to take the load off the GX and let me park the truck a little more since it’s my commuter now.

 

[shane431]

We love our 2020 Platinum. Except I don’t like the grey interior but it’s a minor complaint. It has 105k on it and no issues, knock on wood!

 

[hankstruck]

As I'm looking for 2008-2013ish, < 175k mile Sequoias I keep getting tempted by the same era of LX570 for about $5-$8k more. How do people make this decision? I have to have 4x4 to tow my 5000 lb boat and how I back it into the lake from a sand bank. I don’t off-road at all (I wish I had the time and $ but am being real) but think either would work for that.

I have 3 kids under 7 and vacation a lot. Hard decision here- I want them both!

 

[shane431]

As I'm looking for 2008-2013ish, < 175k mile Sequoias I keep getting tempted by the same era of LX570 for about $5-$8k more. How do people make this decision? I have to have 4x4 to tow my 5000 lb boat and how I back it into the lake from a sand bank. I don’t off-road at all (I wish I had the time and $ but am being real) but think either would work for that.

I have 3 kids under 7 and vacation a lot. Hard decision here- I want them both!

I was in a similar decision making situation. I went Sequoia because larger interior by a lot, doesn’t need premium fuel, cheaper overall and cheaper insurance. I wanted the LX570 but couldn’t justify it. 3 years later, I have zero regrets.

 

[hankstruck]

I was in a similar decision making situation. I went Sequoia because larger interior by a lot, doesn’t need premium fuel, cheaper overall and cheaper insurance. I wanted the LX570 but couldn’t justify it. 3 years later, I have zero regrets.

All very good points. Forgot about fuel, insurance and taxes

 

[vtl]

As I'm looking for 2008-2013ish, < 175k mile Sequoias I keep getting tempted by the same era of LX570 for about $5-$8k more. How do people make this decision? I have to have 4x4 to tow my 5000 lb boat and how I back it into the lake from a sand bank. I don’t off-road at all (I wish I had the time and $ but am being real) but think either would work for that.

I have 3 kids under 7 and vacation a lot. Hard decision here- I want them both!

3 kids under 7 turn LX570 into Sequoia SR in no matter of time. Ask me how I know.

 

[hankstruck]

3 kids under 7 turn LX570 into Sequoia SR in no matter of time. Ask me how I know.

As in destroying the interior with chic-fil-a and the exterior with bicycles, baseballs, and BB guns??

 

[vtl]

As in destroying the interior with chic-fil-a and the exterior with bicycles, baseballs, and BB guns??

Exactly. I pin-striped my then new Tundra before the kids turned their energy and dedication to it, just to have the pleasure of ruining the pristine virgin look all to myself.