Is The Sequoia Too Big?

We're beginning to feel like ToMoCo's having a real Goldilocks-like internal management problem. The past few years of the first-gen model of the Sequoia have been criticized by many as having a model smaller than other SUV's in the "large and in charge" segment, but now some execs inside the automaker from the land of the rising sun are afraid that pendulum's eschewed "just right" and swung way too far in the other direction. While normally, we'd expect the execs talking all sorts of trash internally to remain nameless, this time they're going on the record. Automotive News reports Don Esmond, senior veep of automotive ops at Toyota Motor Sales USA as saying:

"I worry about the Sequoia being too big and not having enough fuel economy, more than I do with the (redesigned) Tundra...[A driver of a full-sized pickup]...won't worry about getting two miles per gallon less, if it's the only thing that can haul his work gear. But there are a lot of choices besides an SUV for hauling your kids to soccer practice."
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kart1 - 10/10/2006 12:52:07 PM

+1 Boost

I used to have a 4x4. And yes it is big, but the last row in the interior isn't very comfortable. It was wide and it has the leg room, but the seating position in the last row had the legs up too high for comfort (I guess due to the wheel and suspension positions). The first and second row were absolutely fine, but I guess you loose some comfort when you get a truck based 4x4 suv. However I must say that some people do need the big Suv even with the high gas prices.

Its like that commercial with the Tahoe and the Yaris, you know the one with one family going in the Tahoe and the other family taking like 4 Yaris' for the same trip.

thecar - 10/10/2006 1:12:29 PM

+1 Boost

7 ppl never fits right in a SUV ,
but ppl still buys it instead of a Van

Hyundai - 10/10/2006 1:16:50 PM

+1 Boost

Because they may have a boat, jetski, or skidoo.

rocker - 10/10/2006 2:21:22 PM

-5 Boost

Did you notice on Monday Night Football that both Toyota and Nissan had huge campaigns for their trucks and SUV's? I thought these companies were all about fuel efficiency and the all mighty MPG. Guess not, they are the same as the US Big 3, they want more sales and more money. They do not care about the environment or the people that drive their cars. The main advantage they have is that they do not have the huge burden of Union, union contracts and inflated union wages and health care costs. Give me a break with all this Japanese crap.

rocker - 10/10/2006 2:22:16 PM

-5 Boost

OH, and the commercial for the Tacoma on MNF was as gay as you can get.

Hyundai - 10/10/2006 7:05:44 PM

+2 Boost

I guess you are not a big fan of trucks. The V6 Tacoma has very good fuel efficiency for a truck and power of a V8. There is a market for trucks because people need trucks. Pursuing a market for that purpose does not make a company evil. SUVs have been built since the whole automobile industry started.

Don't be so ignorant.

S4cabriofox - 10/10/2006 5:18:51 PM

+1 Boost

Yes.

awsomeaudi - 10/10/2006 7:53:16 PM

+1 Boost

Jeez if toyota wanted to be fuel efficent with the seqouia make a hybrid version to counter with the upcoming tahoe hybrid and make a lexus Lx version to fight the 'slade

kart1 - 10/10/2006 10:49:13 PM

+1 Boost

People need trucks with big engines. Good luck trying to pull a trailer with you 50k Sport Sedan.

rocker - 10/11/2006 11:40:14 AM

0 Boost

I wonder if the Japanese car companies will copy everything the US car companies do. Like become stagnant, dinosaur-ish, uncreative and late to ealize when they have become these other things.