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Thought I'd share this for anyone in "need" of a large family hauler. We certainly took our time shopping for something but we finally pulled the trigger last weekend. Several mid-sized SUV's didn't make the cut based on our criteria for a usable 3rd row seat (not something tiny), decent towing capability for a boat or even a racecar on a trailer, and a reasonable price. We looked at the big Infiniti, Lincoln Navigator, Nissan Armada, GMC/Cadillac big SUV's, Mercedes GL class I think it is called, and Land Rover LR4.

We ended up getting a Toyota Sequoia, a leftover 2013 Limited that was priced very well since they have moved on to 2014's now (there's hardly any difference between the years). It has a 381hp V8 and 6spd auto and 4WD, we have the 2nd row captains chairs, it comes with a tow package, and ours has the Blue Ray DVD setup in the back for the kiddos and the 20" wheels. It's luxurious without being gaudy in my opinion, and is a real monster to pilot around. My son has named it Ginormica after the 50 foot woman character in Monsters vs Aliens. http://monstersvsaliens.wikia.com/wiki/Ginormica

So far I've debadged it because I prefer the clean look, and had the dealer fit a clear bra to the front end and mirrors since it has the surface area of a barn heading down the road. I had a grand scheme of fitting the TRD supercharger to it and the TRD massive front brakes, but that was a substantial cash outlay and the supercharger would require the non-flex fuel V8 engine which isn't available in the midwest from Toyota.

Sorry this is a crappy cell phone picture and my hands were freezing with this brutal winter in MN, plus it is already pretty dirty. We traded in our 2006 BMW X3 which served us well all these years but with kids getting bigger, shuttling them around to activities, and a need for more space when traveling for the dog, kids, crap we haul around, and maybe we would like to tow something someday (boat? racecar trailer?), this Sequoia will be put to good use.

That is a hoss!

That's a beast! Environmentalists must be running in fear!

like all new car pictures, we'll expect a video of it doing donuts and jumps too

with a vehicle that heavy, hope those 20's dont dent. I cringe at speed bumps b/c my car's stock rims were 18's.

Hah, yes we don't have to put premium in the SUV anymore like we did on the BMW, but I bet the thirst of this thing will more than offset saving 20 cents a gallon.

Was funny parking it at big boxmart yesterday, coming out to a sea of cars, trucks, and minivans in parking lot, this thing was clearly visible a few rows back, taller than everything around it.

wonder if anybody has every wrapped their car in the box art design lol.

that would be a good photoshop to see.

Good choice! So comfy as well, but the fuel use when towing a large trailer will make you cry! Same motor and platform as my Tundra (5.7l) and I average 15-16mpg with mostly city driving. Towing a 28ft travel trailer and loaded bed, I'm lucky to get 11mpg hwy! I put a Airaid cold air intake and that has helped, plus when you need to pass, the sound is amazing! Stock power is amazing in any case!

Thanks Rod, I'll check that out. I was looking at the TRD cold air intake as well.

I talked to a dealer that had seen some of the Tundras and Sequoias running around with the supercharger and he said they were unreal for something that large. 500hp and 550lb/ft I think. In the end I just couldn't make it work and come up with a plausible story to my wife for spending that kind of money.

Yea supercharger is too rich for me but it would be cool!

We looked at this as an alternative to the minivan. But cost of fuel / fuel economy ratings changed our minds pretty quick!

flipwils11 wrote:
I had a grand scheme of fitting the TRD supercharger to it and the TRD massive front brakes, but that was a substantial cash outlay and the supercharger would require the non-flex fuel V8 engine which isn't available in the midwest from Toyota.

This doesn't make sense. It should have a bigger set of injectors at minimum to handle the e85. I know it would eliminate the e85 part but it shouldn't be a deal breaker.

biff85ta wrote:This doesn't make sense. It should have a bigger set of injectors at minimum to handle the e85. I know it would eliminate the e85 part but it shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Not sure why, but Toyota is explicit that you can't supercharge a flex fuel V8. They won't warranty it like they do with the TRD stuff normally.

I think if you supercharge that beast, you'll need to be tethered to a gas station at all times, won't you?

flipwils11 wrote:

biff85ta wrote:This doesn't make sense. It should have a bigger set of injectors at minimum to handle the e85. I know it would eliminate the e85 part but it shouldn't be a deal breaker.

Not sure why, but Toyota is explicit that you can't supercharge a flex fuel V8. They won't warranty it like they do with the TRD stuff normally.

Probably has to do with some sort of federal credit they get for producing flex fuel vehicles. It just doesn't make sense otherwise.

I believe a Flex Fuel gets entered for CAFE as double it's actual fuel economy? Something stupid like that.