“to do those things avd ferry ‘up to the lake, haul 4X8 ~ drenched back roads on the new Tovota Sequoia, Ford IN a world worried about global warming, air pollution and fuel- efficiency, big SUVs seem like an anachro- nism. Does aityone really need a 5,300-pound, 4WD vehicle to go to the grocery store, or to commute to the office? Vell, no... But if you need a vehicle the kids and their friends to a soccer match, tow the boat sheets of plywood home from : Lumberland, and tackle rain-" way up to the cabin, then a full-size SUV is the only vehi- cle to have. Full-size SUVs like the” Expedition, Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon seat seven or cight. passengers and include all the features of'a well- cquipped sedan or minivan. addition, they have the traction of 4WD, the ground clearance of a truck, and surpris- ingly refined ride and handling. "Fuel consumption is of course horrible — or worse than horrible — and the retail price of a big SUV ain't cheap, generally between $40,000 and $70,000. But for someone with a big family who tows a travel trailer and has a recreational lifestyle, a tull-size SUV is the one vehicle that can doi it all. Sequoia i is all-new . The full-size, V8-powered, cight-passenger ” Toyota Sequoia is all-new for 2001. t's based on the recently introduced Tundra pickup truck, and was designed for the North American mark et. Astute Toyota observers will remember | ‘than Toyota has another big SUV, the Landcruiser, but that model js not sold in ae Canada (it is sold in the U.S.) Lexus offers a NORTH luxury version of che Landcruiser called the LX470 in Canada, but it’s priced considerably higher than the Sequoia and the Landeruiser. Standard features on the Sequoia include driver-selectabie 41D and a Low range gear, a standard four-speed automatic transmission with a column shift Jever and an overdrive lockout button, diree cows ‘of seats with a vari- ety of configurations, and many standard luxu- ry and safety features tacluding front, side and head airbags and automatic vehicle stability control. . Technically sophisticated Though it’s based on a truck chassis, the Sequoia’s drivetrain, brakes and safety features are really quite sophisticated, lts standard 4.7-lire; DOHC, 32- valve, V8 * engine (borrowed from ‘the Tundra) produces 240 horsepower at 4,800 rp.m. and 315 ft-ib. of torque at 3,400 np.m. This gives the Sequoia a hefty. towing capacity of 2,812 kg. SHG RE NEWS AUTOMOTIVE THE new 2001 Toyota Sequoia is a full-size sport utility vehicle in the same class as the Ford Expedition and Chevy Yahoe. It offers eight- passenger seating, a standard 240-horsepower, 4.7-litre, V8 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel-drive and a towing capacity of up to 2,872 kg (6,200 Ib.). Prices range from $45,400 to $57,900. Test drive the 2601 Sequoia at Jim Pattison Toyota, 1765 Marine Dr., North Vancouver. (6,200 tb.), and a maximum paslos af of 600 Oke ; (17323 Ib.). And even though it’s a big V8 engine, it meets California ULEY (ultra-low emissions standards). AN Sequoias include standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, Active Traction Control (works on rear wheel in 2WD, and on all wheels in AWD), and Vehicle Stability Control, an automatic anti-skid system that regulates the throttle and selectively applies the brakes to . individual wheels to correct understeer (front- end ploughing) or oversteer (rear-end swing). Alse standard are big P265,/70R8-16 inch all-season radial ares A dial on the dash allows the driver to switch from 2WD to AWD at highway speeds via an automatic disconnecting differential. A floor-mounted shift lever permits the driver to engage Low range after the vehicle has been stopped. Combined with a270-mim (. 6-int.) GUIDE =e ~ eee NEWS phots hiike Wakefield ground clearance, a rugged truck frame. and a five rear axle with cod springs, the Sequoia is’ ; capable of tackling just about any terrain — in me “surprising comfort, Roomy interior is well-equipped oa. Base Sequoia SR5 modeis, which start-at ¢ - $45,400, are weil-equipped. * : ‘They have standard cight-passenger seating, AM/FM/CD stereo with six speakers, air con- ditioning, power deor locks and windows, key- | less entry, variable intermittent wipers, rear intermittent wiper, tachometer, tir steering wheel, cruise control, front, side and curtain airbags, P265/70R- 16 inch tires and full-size spare, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, trac- von control and vehicle stability control, The SRS is available with a $4,200 option package which includes alloy wheels, front and rear air conditioning, JBL AM/FM/cas- "See Versatile page. a)